Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56646" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-copy-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Say hello to greener than green <a href="https://buckleburyfarm.co.uk/home">Bucklebury Farm</a>, acutely nestled in the beautiful Pang valley in West Berkshire and home to so many furry (and not so furry) friends, Old McDonald would have a field day. Pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, pigs, ponies, chickens, and rabbits to name a few. But its most famous residents are its four breeds of majestic deer that freely roam the estate. Hop on a tractor safari, open in Spring and Summer (with alternative deer feeding the rest of the year), and see them up close and personal like never before.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="606" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56714" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy-800x485.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy-400x242.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy-768x465.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-56-copy-866x525.jpg 866w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The farm is open year round, 8.45am to 5pm daily (9.30am Saturday and Sunday), and offers a variety of often changing activities for visitors to enjoy &#8211; Pat-a-Pet, ‘Get to know the Goats’, and Piggy Playtime to name a few. The indoor and outdoor play areas are a dead set for burning energy as well as its numerous activities like the zip wire, obstacle courses, and go karts. If you want to extend your stay, they even have five rustic glamping tents to rest your head under the stars, situated on their 77 acres of working farm land. Did someone say digital detox?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-expect">WHAT TO EXPECT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="606" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56715" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy-800x485.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy-400x242.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy-768x465.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-4-copy-866x525.jpg 866w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Animal lovers, you&#8217;ve hit the jackpot. There&#8217;s SO much cuteness to glimpse and of course we had to start the day over at the petting area. With my two boys, aged 7 and 5, in tow, we nestled down in the hay clad barn and made friends with Mrs Fluffy Tops the bunny, and Twiggy and Caramel the Guinea Pigs. The boys loved having a stroke (and so did I!).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm Bunny" class="wp-image-36109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Bunny-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Next, we weaved our way around the grounds seeing what we could spot. We saw the miniature donkeys, sheep, pigs, and goats, plus many, many more. Armed with fistfuls of food, we fed the very greedy goats before heading over to see the big time stars of the show. The deer. Sadly as it&#8217;s Autumn and was a particularly muddy day, we were not able to hop on the tractor safari, but we happily settled for feeding the gorgeous fellas instead. A big hit!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm adventure play grounds" class="wp-image-37175" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Bucklebury-Farm-adventure-play-grounds-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The park is easy to get around and manageable in size, so next, we hot footed it over to the outdoor play area. This is where some serious fun was had. It was a little more grown up with a tower, climbing walls, zips wires, inflatable pillows, pedal tractor, and trikes. There&#8217;s also Woody’s Leap Obstacle Course, a mini football pitch, plus a magical new woodland trail. Plenty to keep them occupied and let off some steam.</p>



<p>Now, my kids are soft play super fans so they went bananas for the brand new indoor play area. It&#8217;s fully air-conditioned and suitable for children from 0-13 years. There&#8217;s four slots available to book, with each one lasting half an hour. Top tip: book your slot online before hand to avoid disappointment on the day.</p>



<p>The four indoor slides were a particular favourite and the boys must have went up and down about 50 times. I mean, not complaining. It gave me a much welcome 30 minutes of peace to have a cup of coffee.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="714" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3.png" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56649" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3-800x571.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3-400x286.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3-768x548.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/06/bucklebury-3-735x525.png 735w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The café was another thumbs up with a good value menu of simple but delicious fare like sandwiches for kids and grown up toasties. There&#8217;s scrummy cakes and pastries, cold and hot drinks, plus light seasonal bites too. Yum. There&#8217;s an indoor area to sit and munch or a nice outdoor terrace with a new contemporary shelter. Plus you can bring a picnic along with you on the day and hang out in the picnic area. Don&#8217;t forget to check out their farm shop as well!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-else">WHAT ELSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/19555010-2883-4df1-9c0f-8d482c4d02be-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Bucklebury Farm puts on shed loads of seasonal activities, at the time of our visit, we were just in time to take part in their Halloween at the Farm event. The boys were super excited getting stuck into clay pottery making and painting.</p>



<p>The woodland trail (definitely take some wellies for this one) had also had a spooky makeover which we weaved our way through before hopping on the pumpkin trail around the farm and returning with an orange orb each to carve. All undercover and tools provided. For the rest of the week, the activities were changing daily with falconry displays and handling, plus face paining and LEGO sessions on the agenda. Soooo much fun.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="922" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25.png" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-56740" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25-800x738.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25-400x369.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25-768x708.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/bucklebury-25-569x525.png 569w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Overall my boys absolutely loved it and I have to say it&#8217;s honestly one of the best farms/play areas I have been to. Plus there&#8217;s tons going on this summer too &#8211; as if I needed an excuse to haul the kids back to Bucklebury Farm asap anyway.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-cost">WHAT’S THE COST?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ.jpg" alt="Bucklebury Farm" class="wp-image-36118" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/Bucklebury-Farm-Deer_SQ-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £45 off-peak, Adults £14.45; 2-5 years £9.50; 5+ £12.50; under 2s free, Disabled and their carers, £14.95. Season tickets are also available as just ‘Farm’ or ‘Farm and Soft Play’, and last 6 or 12 months. Prices start from £50 and give unlimited access to Bucklebury Farm.</p>



<p>Play Barn only tickets for the soft play area are also available weekdays if you have some time to kill (and energy to burn) between the school pick up and bedtime. One adult &amp; one child: £8.50. Extra adult/child in the same group: £5.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:&nbsp;</strong>Animal lovers and parents wanting to pack their kids into the great outdoors. You can easily spend a whole day here &#8211; there&#8217;s lots going on and makes for a truly fab day out.&nbsp;It never felt too busy, and while there were lots of cars in the car park, we were never queueing or on top of others.</p>



<p><strong>Not good for:</strong>&nbsp;You may face the wrath of eye rolling from older kids, but an up close encounter with the majestic deer will no doubt thaw any fickle teen&#8217;s heart.</p>


The perfect family day out? Bucklebury Farm & Deer Safari Park, Reading

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