Church Farm Anslow, near Burton on Trent is just beyond the Derbyshire border in Staffordshire. It’s a family run, children’s farm where you can feed, pet and stroke various different farmyard animals. There’s some great play equipment. And also a good tearoom which also sells a small selection of gifts and cards.
We went today for my Mother’s Day treat. Despite me thoroughly researching all the best menus in Derbyshire for my blog post, we have a four year old and although she’s getting increasingly better at eating out, most of the menus I saw were set menus of three courses and I wasn’t convinced it would be the relaxing experience I was looking for.
I came across Church Farm Anslow when I was researching the best places to see spring animals for this month’s article for Derbyshire Life. It’s in shops now – and features an exclusive interview with George Clooney! Lots of my lovely followers on Instagram had raved about Church Farm Anslow and everything looked lovely online, it got great TripAdvisor reviews overall and it seemed like it would be the type of place that my daughter would enjoy.
Children’s farm at Church Farm
For its size there are a good variety of animals including pigs, sheep, goats, alpaca, chickens, rabbits and cows. You can buy animal feed in the shop.
There’s an indoor barn which makes this an option even on a rainy day. And then smooth paths around the various animals in the field. The paths looked wheelchair and pushchair friendly and wouldn’t be overly muddy. (We visited on a dry sunny day and it wasn’t muddy at all, but this is a farm so sensible footwear is advised).
The animals looked happy and well cared for. There were also really good handwashing facilities.
Play area
There’s a really good play area including a good climbing frame, a small slide, a sandpit, lots of scooters etc. Quite a good number of tables dotted around where you could enjoy a takeaway cake and coffee or sandwich from the tearoom (no picnics are allowed).
Click here for other great play areas in Derbyshire
Playtime with the pygmy goats
For an additional £12 per person, you can spend half an hour meeting the mischievous pygmy goats. We got to cuddle, groom, play with and feed Victor, Otto and Jasper. We even took them for a short walk on leads! The member of staff was really knowledgeable and great with our daughter who was initially quite nervous. Thankfully she warmed up quickly and really enjoyed the experience. At the end a photo is taken with your favourite goat and turned into a key ring for a lovely souvenir.
We were the only people booked onto our slot and it was a wonderfully personalised experience. Definitely good value. Book online.
The tearoom at Church Farm Anslow
The café gets good reviews for its tasty, homemade treats. Booking a table is very much recommended – and you can book inside or outside. Much of the meat served is homebred, and the eggs are also from the owner’s farm over the road. The menu changes regularly so was slightly different to the sample menu online.
There’s a good children’s menu which I thought was reasonably priced e.g. sausage, chips and beans or peas for £4. My daughter (who can be a really fussy eater) wolfed down a decent portion of ham sandwich which came with Pom Bears for £3.50 or you can upgrade to a happy meal style box with raisins and a drink for £4.99 total.
My husband ordered a southern fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and side salad which looked lovely. I had “Thai style fishcakes” with sweet chilli sauce and salad. And we ordered a side of fries and a side of halloumi fries. (And you get a massive portion of halloumi fries for £2.99)
I wasn’t wowed by the coffee, and I wouldn’t order the fishcakes again, but overall the food was fresh, tasty and well presented. I liked that it was table service to order.
Overall we really enjoyed Church Farm Anslow. I think it’s really good value for a morning or afternoon out with kids. We would definitely return.
Go for:
A small but clean and well maintained children’s farm with knowledgeable, helpful staff, great play area and good tea room.
Details:
Church Farm Tearooms and Children’s Farm, Hanbury Road, Anslow, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE139QT, 01283 564555
According to their website, pre-booking farm visits is encouraged. Adults and children are £3 per person, Senior Citizens £2.50 and Under 2s free. Or from 3.30pm, all admissions are £2 each. This is for a two hour slot.
Playtime with the pygmy goats costs £12 per person for half an hour (and you also have to pay farm admission if you want to look round the rest of the farm).
No picnics allowed.
Booking a table is very much encouraged for the tearoom. Food served 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Breakfast finishes at 11.30am.
We paid just under £38 for two adult meals, two sides, a kids meal and two soft drinks.
Pushchair friendly and baby changing facilities.
Fully accessible for wheelchairs.
