Name: Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Rescue Centre
Rating: 5.0

Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Rescue Centre

Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood, Dorset BH21 5RJ, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

Description

Experience a warm welcome at an award-winning day out for every generation at one of the last Heavy Horse centres in Great Britain. This family-run farm park, home to Shire, Suffolk Punch, Percheron, Ardennes, and Noriker horses, offers over 20 years of heritage and conservation. Visitors can enjoy heavy horse carriage rides, pony grooming, miniature pony carriage rides, hands-on farm tours, tractor and trailer rides, and close encounters in Pet’s Corner. Adventure play areas, vintage fairground rides, trampolines, pedal go-carts, and sandpit play areas provide fun for children of all ages.

Ticket prices are £16.95 for adults (16+), £16.95 for children (3–15), and £10.95 for tots (2+).

If you are looking for Best Children's Farms in Verwood , Dorset then you can visit Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Rescue Centre. Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Rescue Centre is one of the places in Verwood Dorset for day out with kids and families. More details can be found on the website for this place.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Heavy Horses: Meet the gentle giants and discover their important role in history. Every horse has a story to tell through engaging daily talks and demonstrations. Enjoy heavy horse carriage rides and presentations to learn more about these magnificent animals.
Rare Breed Conservation: Learn about Heavy Horses and their historical significance. Brought to the British Isles in 1066, they led armies into battle, hauled artillery, ploughed fields, and powered canals, transporting goods across the country. Conservation efforts at the park help preserve these rare breeds for future generations.
Vintage Displays: Explore exhibits from days gone by, including heavy haulage, farm machinery, and canal transport. New: Pit Pony Exhibition. Highlights include:
- WWI field trenches
- Vintage trucks and Scammell vehicles
- Romany Vardos and Showman’s living wagons
- Blacksmith and harness maker workshops
- Static canal displays and Grains Hill Colliery
Farmyard Animals: Interact with a variety of friendly animals through guided feeding tours or at your own pace. Animals include:
- Heavy Horses, ponies, and miniature Shetlands
- Donkeys, alpacas, ferrets, Iron Age pigs, pygmy goats
- Flemish giant rabbits, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, bunnies
- Aviary birds, owls, turkeys
- Hands-on activities include pony grooming, pet cuddling in Pet’s Corner, and miniature pony carriage rides for small children.
Play Areas & Activities: Children can enjoy adventure play areas and vintage rides, all included in the entry fee. Activities include:
- Vintage carousel, Victorian swing boats, and restored juvenile fairground rides
- Trampolines, mega drop slide, sandpit play areas, toy town pedal tractors
- Undercover pedal go-cart arena, timberland play barn, and tots house play barn
- Adventure play park with zip wire and sit-on tractors
Daily Activities: A full day of memorable countryside experiences includes:
- Heavy horse carriage rides and presentations
- Miniature pony carriage rides
- Educational farm tours with hands-on learning
- Tractor and trailer rides
- Pony grooming and Pet’s Corner encounters
- Exhibits from history including WWI field trenches
Seasonal Events: https://www.dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk/visit-us/seasonal-events

Facilities

Free car parking
Well behaved dogs are welcome
Smokey Joe's Café
Baby Changing Facilities

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Entry Prices:

Adult (16+): £16.95
Child (3–15): £16.95
Tots (2+): £10.95
All admissions support the upkeep of the heavy horses and help preserve one of the last remaining sanctuaries in Great Britain. The farm park is self-funded.
Booking Information: All rides and activities on the schedule are included in the entry fee.
Early arrival recommended to enjoy the full daily schedule.

Pricing URL: https://www.dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk/book-tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Birthday Parties: Celebrate your little one’s special day with family and friends among the heavy horses and farm animals. Parties are hosted by a friendly farm coordinator, followed by a birthday buffet in the rustic Birthday Bunkhouse.
- All rides and use of farm facilities included
- Birthday buffet with decorated table
- Minimum 10 children, maximum 15 children
- Scheduled activity timetable
- Hosted by one of the farm keepers
- Party time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
- 2 free adults with the birthday child, 1 free adult per party guest
- Price: £25.95 per child. Only one birthday party is booked per day to ensure personal attention. Early booking is recommended due to high demand.
To Book Visit: https://www.dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk/visit-us/birthday-parties

Season: 5 April – 1 November: 10am – 4pm (Last entry 2pm)
Monthly Schedule:
- April: Open Wednesday – Sunday and daily during Easter holidays (5–21 April)
- May: Open Wednesday – Sunday, daily during May half term (26 May – 1 June) and May bank holiday (5 May)
- June: Open Wednesday – Sunday
- July: Open Wednesday – Sunday
- August: Open Tuesday – Sunday and Summer bank holiday (25 August)
- September: Open Wednesday – Sunday
- October: Open Friday – Sunday and daily during October half term (27 October – 1 November)
Closure dates may occur during the season; notices displayed via website and social media.

Address: Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood, Dorset BH21 5RJ, UK

Post Code: BH21 5RJ

Council: Verwood

County: Dorset

Free car parking
Directions:
- From Ringwood (A31):
  - Leave the A31 at the B3081 junction signposted Verwood.
  - Follow B3081 north through Verwood town centre along Station Road.
  - At the roundabout, follow signs to Alderholt and Cranborne (Champtoceaux Avenue).
  - Follow brown tourist signs along Edmondsham Road.
- From Salisbury (A338/A354):
  - Leave Salisbury on A354 Blandford Road towards Blandford.
  - Continue ~13 miles, then take the first exit at the roundabout signposted Ringwood B3081.
  - Continue 3 miles, turn left at Parsonage Lane onto B3078 for 3 miles towards Edmondsham.
  - Turn left onto Edmondsham Road; the farm park is on the left.
- From Blandford Forum (A354):
  - Leave Blandford on A354 Salisbury Road towards Salisbury.
  - Continue ~10 miles; at the roundabout take the third exit signposted Ringwood B3081.
  - Continue 3 miles, turn left at Parsonage Lane onto B3078 for 3 miles towards Edmondsham.
  - Turn left onto Edmondsham Road; the farm park is on the left.
Sat Nav Reference: Champtoceaux Avenue, Verwood (less than 2 miles from park; follow brown tourist signs).