Matlock Farm Park — Attraction in North East Derbyshire

I won a birthday party for my sister's 21st birthday in the Christmas advent calendar. (No, Matlock Farm Park is not just for children, adults have just as much fun- maybe even more!)

We had an amazing time! (So much so, we didn't actually take any photos- sorry!)

The whole team are very friendly and welcoming, from Samantha who helped me organise the day to Charlie who took us on a guided tour feeding and getting to know the animals on a personal level (our favourites included the highland cows, donkeys, "fluffy" sheep, and meerkats- however all the animals were highlights if I'm honest, and we loved learning about Gwen the hand-reared goat, and Julio the cheeky alpaca!) There was also a lovely lady who welcomed us on arrival at reception and who informed us that her own grandma had her 70th birthday at the farm park, however I didn't get her name (sorry).

Also included was small animal handling, which was nice and calming, and gave our party the opportunity to fuss rabbits and guinea pigs (whilst learning about a sassy ferret called Janet).

The party also included free entry into the park, so we spent 2 hours looking round the park before the tour began and bought some animal food for this. However, we were also given a huge bucket during the guided tour (which we didn't manage to use all of), so you don't have to buy animal food if you are doing a party, and you won't run out!

The farm park is very accessible with all paths being flat and stable, which was great as my mum uses a wheelchair and can only walk small distances. This is so unusual for farm parks as they usually have gravel paths and barns which are not accessible. However, my mum was able to access everything!

After the guided tour, we were taken to a private party room which had a nicely laid table with a tablecloth, plates and cups, and napkins. Food included assorted sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, assorted cakes, hot chips, and squash. Three of our party were gluten-free and as Samantha had informed me that dietary requirements could be catered for (with 10 days notice), the gluten-free food included assorted cobs/rolls, assorted cakes, and fresh fruit (as a coeliac, I was very impressed with the food options and didn't have to reach for my emergency gluten-free snacks).

As if that wasn't enough, my sister was also given a voucher to spend in the gift shop on the way out! We were probably going to purchase something anyway (especially as we had a small child in our party). In the end, my sister got a Matlock Farm Park teddy and also got a small souvenir for our cousin as well.

For anyone looking at visiting, make sure you look at the weather forecast. We attended the farm park when it was very cold and frosty, but it was still a very enjoyable day. However, we had planned for this and were wearing multiple layers. Because most of the park is outdoors, we would have really struggled if we hadn't worn appropriate clothing.

We are looking forward to visiting again in the spring when the weather is a bit warmer, and when some more activities are running. My sister and I are also interested in the alpaca trekking (which sounds incredible!).

Overall, the party was incredible and a great way to celebrate my sister's 21st birthday in a way that she loves (with animals). I'm so grateful that Matlock farm...

I don't usually leave reviews but we had an awful time here. We were shocked when we arrived that it came to over £40 for two adults, a child and a toddler. We paid for the toddler to go on a pony ride as you have to buy the token upon entry, however when we got in and found the pony rides the queue was enormous! There were only 3 ponies so the queue would have taken at least an hour, and she is only 3 years old so no way she could have stood in line that long, they did not tell us this when selling the token. We then went to the pumpkin picking patch which was a bit of roped off grass with pumpkins put on it, not pumpkin picking and for £4 a pumpkin! Thought that was pretty extortionate. We went to see some animals but because it was pouring with rain (not the park's fault) they were all in their shelters and the far end of the animal pens, so no animals to see really. (not that there were many). We also got some animal feed which we ended up leaving with because the only animals we could have fed in the stables said 'do not feed'. We tried to enter the halloween activity potion making as advertised but they refused us entry and said they were closing for the next 2 and a half hours and to come back. What were we supposed to do for those 2 hours? The play area was closed, (and the cafe) which I understand because of Covid, but the go karts were also closed as were the ferret/sheep racing that is advertised in the leaflet. Also, the windows to view the meerkats were filthy, couldn't see through them but when i looked in, they weren't there anyway! To put it simply, we were in and out within 15 minutes !! We went to ask for a partial refund because the kids were bored and let down, and found that we were not the only ones, there were a few disappointed families asking for the same thing. The lady at the desk was extremely rude, and then the manager came out and was just as rude. Refusing to refund only half of the price, she offered a pass to come back, but we live 3 hours away so would be completely useless to us. Also, the kids were saying 'we don't want to come back'. The manager was rude and outright lied, telling us that there were signs at the entry explaining what was closed, when i asked her to show us she showed a sign with lots and lots of small writing with covid regulations (i witnessed no social distancing whilst there either) that said that the cafe was closed in amongst it, which we did not have a problem with, more the fact that everything else was and there was nothing for the children to do. I showed her the attractions on the leaflet that were closed to which she told me that they were 'seasonal', i asked her to show me where it said this (it doesn't) and she pointed out that it said 'selection' which of course does not imply that they would all be closed, but instead that there is a wide selection of things to do, which there is not. Awful place, rude staff. Hugely disappointed as were...

First visit today. Its about 50 min drive from home wanted somewhere different. The animals seemed well cared for. Although not as many as at farm closer to home. Farm was spaced out clean and tidy and well maintained. Cafe was a disappointment. Not much food choice esp for a diabetic. Service not good were given 2 out of our 4 meals . Then we were just forgotten when it became busier after us. Had to chase staff around to get it sorted. Seating area in the inside areas is far to close together. No room to manoeuvre. Food was quite expensive for what we had. Most of the staff at the farm were very un- enthusiastic and some rather glum looking others were more interested in gossiping between them selves rather than to customers and children. A couple of activities on site cost extra and werent really worth the money. Biggest issue was although the whole farm is smoke and vape free someone decided to sit next to the animal petting area smoking a cigarette . She was asked to stop by a young member of staff. She didnt. Then another young meber of staff went over and asked her not to and was flashed a flower lanyard and card. And i heard her say she couldn't be far away from her p.a. - fine she has some kind of disability. But her p.a should have took her outside to the smoking area . Before or after animal petting. They then moaned between them they were being picked on ( they have reviewed on page saying they were practically bullied by staff- not true and ommited to mention they were spoken to about smoking on site which is not permitted) and proceeded to light another cigarette. Sorry but having a disability doesnt mean you can just rule break in that manor causing safety issues to others. Fire hazzard for one. If the lady with disability did not have capacity to understand this it was her PA's job to supervise appropriately. There should have been a senior member of staff around to deal with this and not left for younger inexperienced staff to deal with. I did enjoy the day as the children had fun which is the main thing for me. The brownies on the outside cart were really nice. Overall not the best value for money as quite expensive on site after ticket spend if you dont take own...