Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm is a family attraction near Buckfastleigh on the southern edge of Dartmoor, aimed at young children and families with toddlers. The farm emphasises hands-on animal contact, with supervised handling sessions, feeding opportunities and pony rides scheduled throughout the day. The attraction combines genuine farm animals with playground facilities and indoor play areas, making it less weather-dependent than purely outdoor sites.

Animal activities

Scheduled activities run at set times during the day, with a timetable provided at admission. These typically include guinea pig and rabbit handling, bottle feeding of lambs or goat kids when available, pony rides, and opportunities to meet pigs and other farm animals. The exact activities vary by season, as some depend on breeding cycles and young animals being available. Bottle feeding of lambs, for example, occurs primarily in spring and early summer.

All animal handling is supervised by farm staff, who explain how to approach and hold the animals safely. Sessions are timed to avoid over-handling of animals and to manage group sizes. During busy periods, you may need to queue for popular activities. The farm prioritises animal welfare, which means some activities may be temporarily unavailable if animals need rest or veterinary care.

Miniature donkeys and miniature ponies are particular features of the farm. Children can ride or lead the ponies under supervision. The small size of these animals suits younger children who might find full-size ponies intimidating.

Play and indoor facilities

Outdoor play areas include traditional playground equipment, go-karts, a small tractor course and a sand pit. An indoor soft play barn provides alternatives during wet weather, along with undercover seating for adults. These play areas are designed for younger children rather than older siblings or teenagers.

The farm has indoor animal barns housing pigs, sheep and other animals. These provide sheltered viewing and allow some activities to continue regardless of weather. However, much of the site remains outdoors, and a wet day limits what you can comfortably access.

Visiting arrangements

Pennywell Farm opens seasonally, typically from late March through October, with daily opening during school holidays and weekends-only or selected weekday opening outside peak times. Check the website or phone 01364 642023 for current dates. Admission prices are charged per person above a minimum age, with annual passes available for frequent visitors.

The farm has its own car park. A cafe serves hot and cold food and drinks, though you can bring a picnic. Most areas are accessible for pushchairs, though some outdoor paths are grass or gravel. Toilets include baby changing facilities. Dogs are not permitted in the farm area, though assistance dogs are allowed.

The attraction is located on the edge of Buckfastleigh, signposted from the A38. The farm is a working attraction rather than a passive viewing experience, so expect younger children to be actively involved in the scheduled activities. Plan your visit around the activity timetable to ensure your children don’t miss their preferred sessions.