Thurleigh Farm Centre
Thurleigh Farm Centre
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
102 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
16
Average
16
Poor
18
Terrible
18
Simon A
Sturminster Newton, UK18 contributions
Aug 2015
This is a combination of very large indoor soft play - and outdoor play - area, surrounded by animals from rabbits/hens to ponies, donkeys pigs and Llamas. There are rides on the tractor & trailer and the fire engine as well as themed visits to the woods (Gruffalo, Peppa Pig), depending on season. Generally it is a well run, safe, enclosed area which can cater for large numbers, especially in good weather. The variety of activities is excellent, albeit your visit can be limited by the weather. Definitely an all-morning/short day trip. Having visited several times I was concerned on occasion by the lack of clean water in the animals' pens and some questionable ability of the young staff to handle the ponies (and do up the girth!). But this summer has seen something of a revolution and I keep going back because the staff are friendly and helpful, even if they very occasionally appear bored with what they are doing. The cafe is great for coffee and cakes and serves up all the kinds of lunches that children and adults enjoy. Popular food and well cooked but don't go looking for too many healthy options! They cater for parties and the staff seem to enjoy this aspect and do a great job, joining in and encouraging participation. The shop could be a lot better, with some books to read on bad weather days. They could also do with an arts and crafts area for children to 'be creative'. Tigger is the jewel in the Crown and when she is around it all seems to go like clockwork. Highly recommended for Dads with small children 2-4 yrs old at a weekend. No special equipment needed.
Written August 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nik_ned3
in England8 contributions
Today, my daughter and I visited here with a friend and her two daughters.
We were very lucky with the weather.
Thurleigh Farm, is a wonderful venue with jam packed activities throughout the day.
The tractor ride, was the highlight for my daughter and feeding the gorgeous lambs. There's so much to do & the staff are very attentive.
It was busy today. That didn't stop us having fun. The soft play, which is at the entrance is really fun & it's easy to keep an eye on the little ones playing.
The food was exceptional & reasonably priced.
I am looking forward to returning here again.
I do want to say, the previous negative reviews did make me cautious when my friend suggested coming here. I'm pleased we did.
We were very lucky with the weather.
Thurleigh Farm, is a wonderful venue with jam packed activities throughout the day.
The tractor ride, was the highlight for my daughter and feeding the gorgeous lambs. There's so much to do & the staff are very attentive.
It was busy today. That didn't stop us having fun. The soft play, which is at the entrance is really fun & it's easy to keep an eye on the little ones playing.
The food was exceptional & reasonably priced.
I am looking forward to returning here again.
I do want to say, the previous negative reviews did make me cautious when my friend suggested coming here. I'm pleased we did.
Written April 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
St. Neots, UK457 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Dont get me wrong - Thurleigh Farm in theory is a good idea - but i don't think the place has been organised / managed properly.
The indoor slides and the ball-pit are probably the best part about the farm - my son certainly loved going in their. The outdoor slides and play/climbing equipment are quite good but if the farm gets busy then its pointless joining the massive queue that builds up.
the tractor ride was a waste of time, you dont really seem to go anywhere !! as soon as the ride started it seemed to finish.
there doesnt seem to be a massive amount of Animals on the farm either.
the food wasnt really very tasteful and it was overpriced as well.
the tickets are also quite expensive for what the farm offers / provides.
Its an OK day out but i wouldnt really shout it from the roof tops
The indoor slides and the ball-pit are probably the best part about the farm - my son certainly loved going in their. The outdoor slides and play/climbing equipment are quite good but if the farm gets busy then its pointless joining the massive queue that builds up.
the tractor ride was a waste of time, you dont really seem to go anywhere !! as soon as the ride started it seemed to finish.
there doesnt seem to be a massive amount of Animals on the farm either.
the food wasnt really very tasteful and it was overpriced as well.
the tickets are also quite expensive for what the farm offers / provides.
Its an OK day out but i wouldnt really shout it from the roof tops
Written January 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amyjoann84
2 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Brought my child to a party here, had to pay £10 for my other child to enter and £7.50 for myself as it was a late afternoon party we only had 2 hours until it closed, mmm what shall we do bungee trampolines no wait shut, pony ride nope they had finished, quad bikes no a party was going on them. We saw an inflatable up, as we approached that was being deflated. Let's see the animals nope not many of them!!! So we just played in a very basic park and was charged £17.50 for the honour. Will we visit again no we will not, had a disappointed child and felt totally ripped off. Oh and I wanted to put no rating but it wouldn't let me so I've put 1.
Written June 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1962Mark
Smethwick, UK44 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
No other country in the world would put up with this as an "attraction"
The place consists of a pen with a few pigs, a field with some Lamas and rabbits. I have friends houses with more right to call themselves farms!
The indoor play area looked ok, the sort you find at the type of pubs you avoid if you don't have kids. As it was a sunny day and there was a private party in there we pretty much bypassed it anyway.
Outside are a collection of domestic style play areas complimented by their "star attractions" these include a 30 meter pony ride, a ride in the back of a very old (but not old enough to be quaint) and rusty fire engine, a ride on a tractor trailer, a few trampolines, 2 short laps alone on the slowest quad bike imaginable (only if you're over 5 but if you're are you're probably too big to fit on it anyway). There is one bigger BoCart but you need psychic powers to know of its existence as it only makes an appearance on request! Oh and you can stroke a rabbit for a minute or so if you stick around till the end of the day.
All these attractions are timed so you need to check your watch and get in the queue because as soon as the queue has gone so are the attendants. It states in their leaflet that they close when the queue has gone!
Both children and parents are charged entry (even the one year old in a pushchair cost nearly £8)
But luckily adults are charge a couple of pounds less, presumably as we don't want the pony ride?
I can't deny the children had a fine time as the sun was shining but with a few friends to play with would they really have had less fun in a local park and without the £75 we spent as a group to get in?
To put things into perspective, our trip was a stop off en route to Harry Potter World in Watford which at around double the entrance fee gave a hundred times better value for money.
To sum it up in one word - shabby!
The place consists of a pen with a few pigs, a field with some Lamas and rabbits. I have friends houses with more right to call themselves farms!
The indoor play area looked ok, the sort you find at the type of pubs you avoid if you don't have kids. As it was a sunny day and there was a private party in there we pretty much bypassed it anyway.
Outside are a collection of domestic style play areas complimented by their "star attractions" these include a 30 meter pony ride, a ride in the back of a very old (but not old enough to be quaint) and rusty fire engine, a ride on a tractor trailer, a few trampolines, 2 short laps alone on the slowest quad bike imaginable (only if you're over 5 but if you're are you're probably too big to fit on it anyway). There is one bigger BoCart but you need psychic powers to know of its existence as it only makes an appearance on request! Oh and you can stroke a rabbit for a minute or so if you stick around till the end of the day.
All these attractions are timed so you need to check your watch and get in the queue because as soon as the queue has gone so are the attendants. It states in their leaflet that they close when the queue has gone!
Both children and parents are charged entry (even the one year old in a pushchair cost nearly £8)
But luckily adults are charge a couple of pounds less, presumably as we don't want the pony ride?
I can't deny the children had a fine time as the sun was shining but with a few friends to play with would they really have had less fun in a local park and without the £75 we spent as a group to get in?
To put things into perspective, our trip was a stop off en route to Harry Potter World in Watford which at around double the entrance fee gave a hundred times better value for money.
To sum it up in one word - shabby!
Written July 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard B
2 contributions
Everything was dated, didn't meet their own timetables, waited 55 minutes for a sandwich. Rides given by the most unenthusiastic staff. Only about 10 different animals.
Written April 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelguru2411
Bedford14 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
Looked quite tired and in need of a refurb, clean and tidy up! - was expecting much much more for the £18 entrance fee. Seriously if people are rating this high its because they have not been to other similar places. Other than seeing 2 pigs outside and putting our toddler on a toy tractor this experience was no different to a kids world type place but very dingy and not great. Again if the entry fee was £2-4 it would suffice but certainly not what we paid.
Written July 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James W
St Neots4 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Was seriously over priced for what was availble. 80% of the obstacle course was roped off or missing parts. The peddle kart track was over grown and incomplete making it impossible to use and various animals couldn't be found.
Upon arrival we were given a timetable of what activities would be available throughout the day. Decided with being on a farm that a tractor ride was a must for the kids. Arrived 5 minutes before the stated start point. After waiting 30 minutes (5 minutes of it with my hand on the tractor horn) we eventually gave up, but not before noticing that the tires on the trailer had worn through to the wire and were on the verge of bursting. Shocking place, certainly won't be reccommending to anyone!!
Upon arrival we were given a timetable of what activities would be available throughout the day. Decided with being on a farm that a tractor ride was a must for the kids. Arrived 5 minutes before the stated start point. After waiting 30 minutes (5 minutes of it with my hand on the tractor horn) we eventually gave up, but not before noticing that the tires on the trailer had worn through to the wire and were on the verge of bursting. Shocking place, certainly won't be reccommending to anyone!!
Written June 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RDun1515
Peterborough, UK313 contributions
I will start by saying we had a free pass for a family of four so only had to pay one small child entrance. But my review is based on full price.
To say we were disappointed is an understatement. Don't go for the animals. There are rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, chickens, goats, horses and llamas. They are adequately housed but it all looks a bit shabby and there isn't a great selection. That said, if you do go here, the white goat is very friendly, it loves a scratch. It was fine with the kids.
The play equipment varies in quality. The crazy golf course was very old. The go karts were ok, bit old but worked well. The playground equipment was pretty good.
The maize maze and the woods were closed due to work for Halloween/Christmas. The tractor ride took us past the animals. it was pretty short.
we couldn't get in the cafe as a kids party was in there so I can't review that. the staff were friendly in the main. the indoor play seemed fine. Nothing special but the kids enjoyed it.
overall I wouldn't go again. other farms such as Stow Bardolph or Sacrewell are far better for animals. if you want a play centre, this may suit.
To say we were disappointed is an understatement. Don't go for the animals. There are rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, chickens, goats, horses and llamas. They are adequately housed but it all looks a bit shabby and there isn't a great selection. That said, if you do go here, the white goat is very friendly, it loves a scratch. It was fine with the kids.
The play equipment varies in quality. The crazy golf course was very old. The go karts were ok, bit old but worked well. The playground equipment was pretty good.
The maize maze and the woods were closed due to work for Halloween/Christmas. The tractor ride took us past the animals. it was pretty short.
we couldn't get in the cafe as a kids party was in there so I can't review that. the staff were friendly in the main. the indoor play seemed fine. Nothing special but the kids enjoyed it.
overall I wouldn't go again. other farms such as Stow Bardolph or Sacrewell are far better for animals. if you want a play centre, this may suit.
Written October 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dudley81
Orwell, UK3 contributions
I agree with all of the other people who have said that this place is over priced and should not describe itself as a farm. I paid £27.50 for a sad looking soft play. Very few animals. The pony ride was cancelled due to rain though I'm quite pleased now that I've read about the poor girl who was thrown off! I agree that the staff are unenthusiastic and lacking in knowledge too. The "bunny cuddles" was run by a girl who "works in the kitchen" and said sorry you'll have to settle for a stroke not a cuddle because I'm not confident I can catch them. She obviously had no knowledge or expertise in handling animals and when the terrified rabbit tried to get away from her she said "he doesn't like me". This was shocking. I wished I hadn't searched for a staff member to pay on the way in but just turned around and left . We will never return. There are so many other farm parks that are better value, better run, better educated and better animal welfare. Makes me angry to think that I was fleeced like this and that this place is able to continue operating like this.
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
