Name: Manor Farm and Country Park
Rating: 5.0

Manor Farm and Country Park

Manor Farm | Hampshire, Pyland's Ln, Southampton, United Kingdom

1-90 Years

Paid

Description

Manor Farm – A Farm-tastic Day Out! Enjoy a full day of fun at Manor Farm, where families can meet friendly animals, explore historic farm buildings, and play whatever the weather. Discover rare breeds of cattle, pigs, sheep, alpacas, goats, and horses, visit the Poultry House and its colourful residents, and see donkeys, ponies, and the majestic Shire Horse in the Equine Barn. Step back in time through centuries-old barns, a blacksmith’s forge, and the 1940s wartime cottage. Children can enjoy the indoor Play Barn, outdoor adventure areas, and summer Maize Maze, while nature lovers will love the Cottage Garden and Wildlife Pond. Located within River Hamble Country Park, it’s the perfect spot for picnics, BBQs, and riverside walks.

Prices are: Under 3s – Free, 3 to 16 years – £10 & Adults – £12. Full-day entry for a fun-filled farm adventure!

If you are looking for Best Children's Farms in Southampton, Hampshire then you can visit Manor Farm and Country Park. Manor Farm and Country Park is one of the places in Southampton Hampshire 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

Things to See and Do
- Animals: Meet traditional and rare farm animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, alpacas, goats, and horses. The Waterfowl Area is home to ducks and geese, while rabbits and guinea pigs charm visitors in their grassy enclosures. Traditional breeds like Sussex cattle, Polled Dorset sheep, and Middle White pigs show how farming has evolved. Piglets can often be seen year-round, and the friendly alpacas are a must-visit.
- Poultry House: The purpose-built poultry tunnel is home to most of the poultry population. This specialist building combines four sections, each catering to different bird species and their needs.
  - Hen Haven: Hybrid hens live in Hen Haven. These birds are bred to lay eggs daily, which are available to purchase from the gift shop. Hardy and friendly, these hens are ideal for small gardens.
  - Turkey Town: Turkey Town is home to traditional turkeys and lively guinea fowl. Visitors can admire the turkeys’ fine plumage and listen for the distinctive calls of the guinea fowl.
  - Peckingham Palace: Peckingham Palace showcases pure-breed chickens from around the world from the tiny Seabright to the large Brahma. Each breed has unique markings and personalities that make them easy to distinguish.
  - Pheasant Forest: Pheasant Forest features colourful, exotic birds whose bright feathers are used in the wild to attract mates. The array of colours and patterns makes this one of the most striking areas on the farm.
- Goat Mountain: Three breeds of goat live on the farm, each with different features but one shared love climbing. Goat Mountain is their dedicated play area, filled with structures to jump, balance, and play on. These playful animals never fail to entertain visitors as they leap and “kid” around.
- Equine Barn: Created in 2020, the Equine Barn provides a comfortable home for horses and donkeys. Two breeds of horses live here: Peseta, a majestic Shire Horse representing the power of traditional farming, and Rocky and Twiglet, two spirited Shetland ponies full of character. Resident donkeys David and Imogen are also favourites David is playful and energetic, while Imogen is calm and gentle, proving that opposites attract.
- Roundhouse: Completed in 2020, the Roundhouse houses larger livestock in a state-of-the-art circular building. It offers excellent welfare, comfort, and year-round viewing opportunities for visitors. Throughout the seasons, the Roundhouse hosts a range of activities lambing and calving in spring, shearing in summer, weaning in autumn, and winter housing for cattle.
  - Traditional Farmyard: The farmyard and its surrounding buildings reflect centuries of farming history, with structures dating back to the 1500s. Around the central yard stands a collection of traditional farm buildings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centurie barns, stables, workshops, a pig poke, granary, and shepherds’ caravans.
  - Thatched Barn: Built in the 1500s, this impressive timber-framed barn was originally used to store and thresh corn.
  - Longstock Barn: Moved from the village of Longstock in 1984, this barn sits on mushroom-shaped staddle stones that kept stored grain safe from rats and damp.
  - Shepherds’ Huts: These small, mobile huts provided shelter for shepherds tending flocks far from the main farm.
  - Blacksmith’s Forge: An essential feature of rural life, the forge was where farm tools were crafted and horses shod.
  - Wheelwright’s Workshop: This building, relocated from Nether Wallop in 1983, was where wooden cart wheels were built and repaired — vital for transporting goods around the farm.
  - Granary Barn: Built on staddle stones like the Longstock Barn, the granary stored animal feed and grain safely above ground. A loft above added extra protection from moisture and pests.
  - Cart Shelter: This building allowed carts and wagons to pass through easily, with both front and rear doors left open for ventilation and access.
- Tractor Barn: Dating back to the late 1500s, the thatched Tractor Barn houses a remarkable display of vintage tractors and farm machinery from the early 1900s onwards. Displays also include vintage hand tools hay forks, seed drills, chaff cutters, and more showing how farming was carried out before modern technology transformed agriculture.
- Farmhouse and Wartime Cottage: The farmhouse, dating from the 1400s, offers a glimpse into rural domestic life through the centuries. Inside are fascinating items such as mangles, horsehair mattresses, chamber pots, and old privvies. The adjoining wartime cottage recreates the atmosphere of World War II, complete with taped windows, blackout curtains, and an Anderson shelter. Visitors can step into a 1940s schoolroom, complete with blackboard, slates, and even a traditional dunce’s cap.
- Play Areas
  - Play Barn: The Play Barn provides farm-themed fun all year round. This purpose-built play zone features indoor and outdoor areas with exciting activities and inclusive play equipment suitable for children of all ages.
  - Outdoor Play: In addition to the Play Barn, the outdoor play area offers fun for every age. Swings, seesaws, and tractor climbing frames sit near the picnic zone beside Goat Mountain. It’s the perfect space to burn off energy while enjoying open-air countryside play.
  - Maize Maze and Den Building: The Maize Maze, planted in spring and open during summer, is both an adventure and a source of animal feed once harvested in autumn. It also provides festive decorations for Halloween.
  - Nearby, the Den Building area lets families and children create their own shelters in a peaceful natural clearing using branches and materials provided onsite.
  - Cottage Garden: The traditional Cottage Garden combines beauty and practicality. Filled with flowers, herbs, and vegetables, it once served as the farmhouse’s source of food and medicine.
  - Today, it remains a thriving habitat for bees, insects, and birds, especially around the pollinator-friendly beehive visible in spring and summer.
Wildlife Pond: The Wildlife Pond is a purpose-built, sustainable habitat created using rainwater from the Play Barn roof. Planted with over 400 species of native wetland plants, it supports a wide range of insects, amphibians, and other creatures making it a living: example of biodiversity in action.
Explore River Hamble Country Park: Surrounding Manor Farm, River Hamble Country Park offers acres of fields, ancient woodland, and stunning river views. Visitors can hire BBQs, use the secure dog field, or purchase parking memberships for regular visits. The area is perfect for picnics, nature walks, and family days out.
What's on: https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/manorfarm/plan-your-visit/events

Facilities

Gift shop
Onsite Restaurant

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Prices for day tickets

Under 3 years: Free
Child (3 to 16 years): £10
Adult: £12
Concession Over 65s : £11
Family 2 adults and 2 children: £42
Visitors do not need to book tickets; entrance to the farm is via walk-ins only. Tickets available from the visitor centre on entry to the farm.

Pricing URL: https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/manorfarm/plan-your-visit/tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Have a Party to Remember: A perfect opportunity to celebrate a special birthday surrounded by the friendly animals and countryside charm of Manor Farm.
- Birthday Party Package Includes
  - A unique, interactive farm experience led by a member of the team
  - Exclusive private use of the fully furnished and decorated party venue, The Cabin, for 1 hour ideal for lunch, games, and presents
  - Catering option available in a children’s activity bag including a pre-packaged sandwich, crisps, juice, and snack item
  - Fun activities in The Cabin for the group to enjoy during their own time
  - Personalised Manor Farm e-vites for all guests
  - A special Manor Farm birthday card and gift for the birthday child
  - Colourful birthday tabards for children to wear around the site
  - Bluetooth speaker available in The Cabin for guests to connect their own music
  - Tea, coffee, milk, squash, and water provided in The Cabin (additional drinks available for purchase in the cafés)
- Morning Birthday Party Schedule
  - 10:15am – Birthday family arrives for set-up and introduction
  - 10:30am – Guest arrival
  - 10:30am – 11:00am – Play Barn time
  - 11:00am – 12:00pm – Farm experience led by a team member
  - 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Time in The Cabin for lunch, games, and presents
  - Sheep wearing a party hat!
- Afternoon Birthday Party Schedule (Available from 1 March to 31 October)
  - 1:45pm – Birthday family arrives for set-up and introduction
  - 2:00pm – Guest arrival
  - 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Time in The Cabin for lunch, games, and presents
  - 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Farm experience led by a team member
  - 4:00pm – 4:30pm – Play Barn time
  - Chickens standing on birthday presents!
- Prices
  - Standard party plan: £265 & Children’s food option: +£7 per child
  - Manor Farm Members: 10% discount on the total cost. Once party details are confirmed, a payment link will be sent to secure the booking.
  - Full payment is required to confirm the reservation until payment is received, the selected date and time are not final.

1 March to 31 October: open daily, 10am to 5pm
1 November to 31 January: open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
1 February to 28/9 February: open daily, 10am to 4pm
Last entry to the farm is 45 minutes before the published closing time.

Address: Manor Farm | Hampshire, Pyland's Ln, Southampton, United Kingdom

Post Code: SO31 1BH

Council: Eastleigh

County: Hampshire

Half a mile from Junction 8 of the M27, between Portsmouth and Southampton. Located inside River Hamble Country Park. Our nearest train station is Botley (around a 30-minute walk). If you’re travelling by bus, you can use the #3 (Bluestar) or #X9 and #X15 (Xelabus) to Botley (around a 25-minute walk).