Little Miss has a staring competition with a goat.

Almost every child I know is fascinated with farm animals, and Little Miss is no different. We’ve been to Pigeons Farm a couple of times, including last year during lambing season. It’s not a large children’s farm, compared to some I’ve been to, but that’s actually quite good for little legs, and Little Miss and I both give the outdoor play area a big thumbs up!

What’s at Pigeons Farm?

There are all the usual farm animals you’d expect to see: cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, as well as rabbits and guinea pigs in the petting barn. There are also a number of birds like Guinea fowl, peacocks, pheasants, chickens and ducks. The petting barn is one of our favourite stops and all the times we have visited we have always been able to hold and touch the rabbits and Guinea pigs.

The larger animals are mostly outside and very ‘accessible’. I’ve been to other farms where you stand at a fence and gaze off into the distance at the animals; not much fun for very young children. At Pigeons Farm you can buy animal food at the entrance – the pigs were the best ones to feed! The made such a noise, Little Miss was scared at first, but soon came round and thought it was funny.

When we visited during lambing time, the sheep were all indoors and there were regular feeding shows throughout the day. We all sat on hay bales while the staff members passed around bottles so all the children had a chance to feed a lamb.

There’s also a chance to collect eggs from the chickens most days. The kids follow the farmer and then they’re each given the chance to put their hand into the coop to collect the eggs. Little Miss got a huge surprise when the farmer lifted the little door to find that the chicken was still sitting on the eggs. She still talks about it now whenever we have eggs for lunch!

Some of the animals at Pigeons Farm.

Indoor and outdoor play areas

One of the barns has been decked out as an indoor play area. It’s not huge, but has a climbing frame and activity set with a tunnel and slide. Since we visited there’s been a sand area put in the barn as well.

However I think the best thing about Pigeons Farm is the outdoor play area. Every time we visit we spend about half (if not more) of our time, playing outside, especially on the giant jumping pillow! Little Miss just can’t get enough of this pillow. The first time we went she wasn’t quite 3 years, and a bit unsteady on the pillow. But the last time we went, she was all over it. Running, jumping, diving and generally having a blast.

The play area also has a zip wire, climbing frames, sit-on tractor, swings and slides. And even when we visited during lambing (which was really busy), it felt like there was enough for everyone to enjoy. The other thing we both really like are the pedal cars, and again there are lots of cars, so no fighting – although kids being kids, they all want to go on the same one even though there are 20 others free!

Brilliant outdoor play area at Pigeons Farm

All the important bits

Location

Pigeons Farm is on Wisbech Road on the outskirts of Thorney. From Peterborough, stay on the A47 bypass to the third roundabout, then take third exit signed B1167 to Thorney. You will actually drive past the farm just before the roundabout.

Play frame in the indoor area

Car parking

There is plenty of free car parking on site.

Tickets and opening times

In the low season (November – 7 Feb), an adult ticket is £6.45, child £4.95 and family (2+2 or 1+3) £18. During the high season (8 Feb – 31 Oct), an adult ticket is £6.95, child £5.45 and family (2+2 or 3+1) £20. Children under 3 are free. During the high season the farm opens seven days a week, 10am – 4pm. The opening times change during the low season, check the Pigeons Farm website for more information.

Eating and drinking

The café has an extensive menu catering for all tastes and budgets. For adults there is a wide range of sandwiches and cooked meals including lasagne, jacket potatoes, omelettes and paninis. There are also seasonal specials like curries, casseroles and pies. Kids can choose from the little lambs menu, offering things like fish fingers and spaghetti bolognaise for around £4. Kids also have the option of a picnic box (four items, £4). And of course, a huge selection of homemade cakes and biscuits. There are plenty of highchairs in the café and a microwave for heating up baby food.

Facilities

There are toilets (with baby changing facilities) at the main entrance. As you would expect, the site is buggy-friendly with easy access into all barns.