Baylham Rare Breeds Farm
Baylham Rare Breeds Farm is a well hidden gem just outside Needham Market. I have been visiting since I was fairly small, and I love going back as an adult with my own baby to share it with her. It has always been very high on my list of favourite places to go, and would always be my request at a weekend or in the school holidays!
Thoroughly unspoiled, Baylham is a working farm with very free ranging animals roaming around in a beautiful setting. The farm specialises in rare breeds of animal, so you will find some interesting variations from your average farm visit here, and everything can be sponsored or adopted. I was once the proud adoptive parent of a very fine cow called Lorraine...
You come up to the farm down a single track road going over the railway line and walk over a bridge by a beautiful mill, with views of open fields around you. The entrance to the farm is through the gift shop and cafe, where you will be greeted by extremely friendly staff, who tell you who you can feed safely and how. The entrance fee is higher than most, but for the importance of safeguarding their animals, I feel it is always worth it. We have a season ticket now, which costs the same as five visits.
The farm changes it's visiting hours depending on the time of year, so check the website to make sure they are open! Most school holidays and weekends they are up and running and often hold special events for things like Easter, when you can cuddle a lamb or a bunny!
There are all sorts of animals to see, some in the barns, like cattle and pigs, some in the larger fields by the river, lots of sheep, some alpacas and more pigs and cows, and then a little fenced off orchard which is the home of goats, ducks, chickens and bunnies. This area is particularly good for toddlers as the goats and chickens roam freely and come up to take food from you.
The whole area is accessible for pushchairs, although a bit muddy on the fields, and you can do a pretty circular walk along the river bank. They have lots of hand-washing stations dotted around for removing cow slobber! The highland cows are particularly slobbery and love getting fed by holding out their tongues for you to put the food on.
The cafe has accessible toilets with changing facilities and extra sinks for hand washing. They have a couple of lovely wooden high chairs available. The menu is all home cooked food and mostly local produce, including their own bacon and sausages. They always have soup and fresh scones and cakes as well as light lunches of paninis and salads, but they are happy to accommodate for special requests. There is a little gift shop inside the cafe, which sells mostly farm-related toys and books, but also local jams, tea towels, cards and gifts.
I have lost count of the number of visits I have made to Baylham, but I urge you to go and check it out, you will love it.
Baylham House Farm, Mill Lane, Baylham, Suffolk, IP6 8LG
http://www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk/
Thoroughly unspoiled, Baylham is a working farm with very free ranging animals roaming around in a beautiful setting. The farm specialises in rare breeds of animal, so you will find some interesting variations from your average farm visit here, and everything can be sponsored or adopted. I was once the proud adoptive parent of a very fine cow called Lorraine...
You come up to the farm down a single track road going over the railway line and walk over a bridge by a beautiful mill, with views of open fields around you. The entrance to the farm is through the gift shop and cafe, where you will be greeted by extremely friendly staff, who tell you who you can feed safely and how. The entrance fee is higher than most, but for the importance of safeguarding their animals, I feel it is always worth it. We have a season ticket now, which costs the same as five visits.
The farm changes it's visiting hours depending on the time of year, so check the website to make sure they are open! Most school holidays and weekends they are up and running and often hold special events for things like Easter, when you can cuddle a lamb or a bunny!
There are all sorts of animals to see, some in the barns, like cattle and pigs, some in the larger fields by the river, lots of sheep, some alpacas and more pigs and cows, and then a little fenced off orchard which is the home of goats, ducks, chickens and bunnies. This area is particularly good for toddlers as the goats and chickens roam freely and come up to take food from you.
The whole area is accessible for pushchairs, although a bit muddy on the fields, and you can do a pretty circular walk along the river bank. They have lots of hand-washing stations dotted around for removing cow slobber! The highland cows are particularly slobbery and love getting fed by holding out their tongues for you to put the food on.
The cafe has accessible toilets with changing facilities and extra sinks for hand washing. They have a couple of lovely wooden high chairs available. The menu is all home cooked food and mostly local produce, including their own bacon and sausages. They always have soup and fresh scones and cakes as well as light lunches of paninis and salads, but they are happy to accommodate for special requests. There is a little gift shop inside the cafe, which sells mostly farm-related toys and books, but also local jams, tea towels, cards and gifts.
I have lost count of the number of visits I have made to Baylham, but I urge you to go and check it out, you will love it.
Baylham House Farm, Mill Lane, Baylham, Suffolk, IP6 8LG
http://www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk/
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