babyurbeautiful

I've often spied people posting on Facebook about a local organic farm, and how wonderful their fry-ups are - that alone whet my appetite.

On one miserable Monday, I decided last minute to do a bit of research and check out all of the fuss.

Well, I was suitably impressed.

A soft play area - which was clean, fun, and you can enjoy food and drink whilst the little ones go wild (instead of chasing their tails).

Two different shaded play areas, plus a wooden ship-esque area and many ride-on toys dotted about.

The farm itself is small - but just right. Rabbits, goats, alpacas, meerkats, ride-on tractors - it's got all that you want from a farm.
My son got so excited and squealed with delight at how close he was to all the animals.

Monkeying around

In the lovely restaurant the staff couldn't be more attentive, Albie was presented with a box of toys to play with whilst he waited for his grub - a great touch.

Enjoying Lunch and all the attention

Lunch for me was fish cakes, why on earth didn't I have meat, because immediately I had food envy!

My son had breaded chicken goujons and fries with a side of beans - given he's 18-months he polished the lot off.

Pulled Pork Burger with 'Slaw at £9.95 with fries

In the soft play area - it's a different price, you pay separately for the soft play/farm but a deal for both for 2 adults and 1 child is £11 - you can't complain (a £3.50 saving on the normal entry). There's a few slides, a small under 3 area with giant lego, ball pit, I can't explain how knackered I got following my son in the older bit - excellent exercise!

Otherwise adults are free for soft play, and it's just the kiddy you pay for.

Everything is so good - I looked into hiring for his 2nd birthday (then saw the prices and it put me off!)



The ONLY gripe I have is the price of a tea, or drink in the soft play - it's atrocious. A cup of tea at £1.75 for literally a cup, not even a mug - come on guys, sort it out - you're doing SO well, a tea bag and some hot water - surely you can half the price!

It's such a great day out - and best of all there is an organic farm shop with fresh eggs, fresh meat, vegan, health food, all sorts of health-concscious virtuous goodies to chow-down on.

Definitely worth a visit.

Ashlyn's Farm Epping, Essex

From £3.00 for children for Farm Trail and Soft Play.

However, after a 20 minute drive from Romford to South Woodham Ferrers on the 30th December, we arrived to discover it was closed! At least Old Macdonalds Farm had advertised VERY clearly on their website that they also were. So what's this all about? All the kids are off, surely a great money making incentive, or is it a case of lazy cows?

When my little one was 6 months old we took him to a Tropical Wings, which is a mere 5 minutes around the corner and was HALLELUJAH.... It was open. It also reopened on the 2nd Jan.



At £8.50-£10.95 each per adult, and under 2's free, you may wince at the price point, but you do get a lot for your money.

I don't know anyone who has criticised the zoo full of critters, there's a lovely butterfly sanctuary that's as warm as a sauna and perfect for this freezing weather, with gigantic koi carp, there are otters, meerkats, goats, birds that chirrup 'hellllooooo', and you're not sure if someone is pulling your leg.

There's a small soft play section, the toilets are clean and plentiful and there are plenty of pit stops for fodder. And while we're on the subject of fodder, there's a regular programme of feeding times which makes for interesting viewing for both parents and the kids.

A latte will set you back £1.85, while a pot of tea for one is £1.50, jacket potato with cheese and side salad is £3.75, and a snack pack for baby with 2 sandwiches, crisps, yoghurt, raisins and drink is £3.75.