A clean, friendly farm that appeals to all ages and offers close contact with a wide variety of animals from fluffy yellow chicks and baby lambs to foxes, llamas, deer and ostriches. A daily programme of events encourages audience participation in the form of bottle feeding lambs, goat feeding, deer feeding and collecting the freshly laid eggs. Events change as the season progresses from spring lambs, to summer fun activities, to Halloween Screams and finally a traditional Christmas including live Nativity Performances where anything can, and often does, happen!
Last year saw the added attraction of Parrot-phernalia a small collection of brightly coloured and highly entertaining parrots and macaws and an interpretation centre where you can learn all about them. New for 2006 are Bill and Ben the Alpacas and two Emus with their babies. The Wallabies and Meerkats which proved such a hit last year have settled in well and we hove the addition of two Meerkat babies who have been named Colin and Edith.
The Crazy Craft Cabin offers the chance to try your hand at candle dipping, glass or pottery painting or even throwing a pot on the potters wheel as well as lots of new and exciting seasonal craft activities like card making. There is an extra charge for these activities but you do get to take home your creations.
There are also Junior Quad Bikes and a Rifle Range, Pony Rides, powered mini tractors and powered cars. The extended Fun Barn now has a bouncy farm as well as other indoor games like giant Snakes & Ladders and is great on those not so dry days. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas with pool table, air hockey and table football, as well as a large picnic area, Tearooms and a Gift Shop.
However, the farm is best known for the famous sheep steeplechase - a 'ewenique' and highly entertaining must for anyone visiting the area. The 'woolly jumpers', with names like 'Black Midget', 'The Snail', and 'Big Boy' race over a course with five fences - Fleecers Brook, Spinners Chair, Woolly Leap, Darners Ditch and Stable Turn - with a speed and agility to rival their equine counterparts. A full race commentary, by former amateur jockey Edward Dorrell, gives a real feel of a day at the races. The race season starts on Easter Monday and there is a race every day throughout the summer - except Fridays when the racers have a rest. There are also regular goat races throughout the summer and Ferret Racing which is scheduled to take place during the school holidays.
Also look out for Special Events throughout the year including lots of 'scary goings on' and the Hoo Farm Witch Hunt at Halloween and Father Christmas in his log cabin from the end of November.
Hoo Farm is open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm (during Spring & Summer). Closed Mondays in term time except on Bank Holidays and at Halloween -For times of winter opening, special events and for details of feeding, demonstration and activity times please ring 01952 677917 or visit www.hoofarm.com.
Sorry, no dogs admitted (except guide dogs). Hoo Farm has facilities for disabled visitors. Toilets and baby changing facilities are provided.