Hayrack Church Farm Park & Cafe Chester, Thornton-le-Moors

Reviews

1. Emma ★★★★★

   This is a review for the Santa's Grotto / experience at Hayrack; we've been home a few hours but still feeling so buoyed and jolly from it! It really was amazing and exceeded all our expectations. We thought we'd booked on to an exclusive SEN session, which it wasn't, but because of how it was managed, it wasn't an issue at all (quiet / uncrowded / unrushed enough with understanding, patient staff everywhere). When we arrived, we were shown to our table, which was ours for the full duration of our visit, so we could happily leave it and return at any point without fear of losing our seats or stuff. The tables all had a special tray of activities on it and our bucket of feed for the farm animals was ready and waiting for us. We enjoyed doing the little tray of activities and a friendly elf came to tell us when it was our turn to see Santa. They took lots of lovely photos for us before we went in too. And then we got to the part that really made this a 5* experience; Santa himself. I have never, ever, in countless years of grottos, come across such an incredibly awesome and lovely Santa! I can't even begin to describe how wonderful he was. It must have been the real one because no regular human is that epic. He made our Christmas. Despite the fake beard, my kids (aged 12 and 13, so not totally naive usually), were still totally convinced he was real (first one in a quite a few years that they've believed was the true Santa). The visit with Santa wasn't rushed at all and he gave the kids so much time and attention. He was fantastic at answering my daughter's endless questions and even managed to get her to stop talking long enough that he could give my son some proper attention too. Oh and he gave us an impressive rendition / medley of virtually every K-Pop Demon Hunter's song, much to the children's delight. He almost brought me to tears (happy ones) when he took time at the end to say the loveliest things about the kids and how they're a credit to us, etc. It's rare we parents are praised for anything these days, so it felt good :) The farm itself is small but not to its detriment. We could feed all of them and pet the majority. The parrots were so cool! We had great fun singing to one who danced along. We came across a keeper feeding another group and she was wonderful too, telling us all about them and bringing them over for us to say hello to. There was even a baby alpaca - sooooooooooooooooooooo cute! It was by far the best Christmassy thing we've done this year (possibly any year, thanks to the incredible Santa and lovely staff). I was worried this year would be disappointing, as a lot of our traditional activities were just too expensive and unaffordable this year. Hayrack's experience was incredibly reasonable and because it was so brilliant, none of us feel like we've missed out at all! A huge thanks, best wishes and very merry Christmas to Santa, his elves and all the staff at Hayrack!

   almost 6 months ago
2. Louise Latter ★★★★★

   We had a wonderful experience meeting Santa. Lovely staff, no stress - really lovely atmosphere. We had our own table for 3 hours with lots of activities and of course meeting the Big Man was magical. Santa was kind and funny and so engaging with our kids. Would definitely recommend. We also really enjoyed feeding the animals afterwards and met Daisy the baby goat!

   almost 7 months ago
3. Christopher Aylmer ★★★★★

   Great place to visit with young children in all weathers. Not to big for the little ones to walk around the farm plenty of animals to view aswell, plus a good size play area and sand pit which my children loved. Food in the cafe was absolulty amazing from the kids meals to the BLT Toastie to the Omlettes deffinatly worth every penny.

   almost 9 months ago

1. Laura Sharples ★★★★☆

   Nice for a couple of hours and spot of lunch. My daughter enjoyed looking at the animals, then going for lunch in the cafe with the soft play before going back out to look at the animals again. I didnt buy any food (little one too young to understand) and we missed the meet and greet but again I don't think my little one would have understood/enjoyed as much yet.

   almost 10 months ago
2. NH Daysout ★★★★★

   Great for younger children. Animals are obviously well cared for (although lots of caged birds and ducks some people may not like). Reasonably priced entry with lots of opportunities to pet and feed the animals. 3 members of staff actively stopped to talk to us about the animals they were caring for which was nice. Wide variety of animals including a Barn owl, ferrets, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, canaries, donkeys, hens, peacocks and (rescued) parrots. 2 good playgrounds and a small indoor soft play. The food in the cafe was OK. Menu catered well for dietary requirements. No picnics allowed FYI. We were there for 4 hours including food and feeding the lambs so all in all a good day out.

   1 year ago
3. Peter Bunn ★★★★☆

   Great selection of animals with opportunity to feed them with pre purchased bags of food great experience for young and old alike. Good cafe area and outside seating. Highly recommended

   almost 3 years ago

1. Raymond Jackson ★★★★★

   If you’re looking somewhere that’s the kids will love and won’t break the bank then this is the perfect place! Was there for about 3 hours with my 2 year old son. He loved seeing, feeding and petting all the animals, a very enjoyable few hours for us both. £5 each entrance fee then the animal feed is £1 a bag which is great value. In the entrance fee there is also a little outdoor park and sandpit for the kids to play in. Also there is a little indoor soft play area for under 5’s which is included in the £5 entrance fee. Also good food at a reasonable price. Definitely well worth a visit and we’ll be back again soon.

   almost 4 years ago
2. Rebecca Halpin-Jones ★★★★★

   Farm itself is great value for money our 2 Yr old loved it. We didn't stay for food in food Hall so not sure on that value. Will go again for sure.

   almost 4 years ago
3. sue capewell ★★★★★

   First visit and will definitely be back. At £5 per person for animals, some they bring out and let you pet, outside play park and a small inside soft play and a cafe it's a real bargain! Grand children loved it.

   almost 4 years ago

1. Sue Kaye ★★★★★

   Had a great afternoon at Hayrack Church Farm Christmas Grotto with Sue Lyn Dad and granddaughter River who loved meeting father Christmas, Elsa and Olaf. Lovely presents for River and we all enjoyed feeding all the animals. Great time and will visit again. Well done to everyone at the far.

   almost 4 years ago

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