Graves Park Animal Farm — Attraction in Sheffield

We went to Graves Park in the Feb half-term with my 10yr old boy and 8yr old girl. This was our first visit to the park and we all loved it - even my 10yr old boy who hates parks said he wants to visit again =D.

The park is well sign posted once you get into Norton (although I did manage to drive right past the entrance LOL!) and the car park is well situated for the Farm, play area and cafe. Car park charges are very reasonable. We were charged £1 for 2 hrs, which was correct if you read the charges on the pay point, but the charges on the big display boards were different (more expensive, but still reasonable) Not sure why two different prices were displayed. Maybe they are seasonal?

The play area and cafe are a 2-3 min walk down a wide, tarmac path with a slight descent and the play area is fenced and gated. It is also very well equiped with lots of climbing fames, swings, a sand pit with sit-on diggers, roundabout, a small sunken trampoline and a small football area for 3-5yr olds. Outside the gated section, there is also a zip line for older children and a massive green space for kids and dogs to simply run around and be themselves!

If you follow the path from the play area/cafe down the hill, you will come to some big duck ponds and if you follow the signs, the path will take you to the farm area.

The farm was free and fabulous! Loads of places to wash your hands (some hand gel and some with warm water and soap) A lovely selection of animals - all very keen to see people. You can buy food pellets from the shop in the centre of the farm area at £1 per bag and the animals are very good at spotting people with food bags LOL!

The cafe (near the play area) has lots of inside seating, has great staff and prices are good. I paid £1.40 for my Earl Grey, but ordinary tea was £1.10. Kids hot meals were £2.80 or a sandwich kids meal (with drink and crips) £3.50. I only had a cup of tea, so I can't say what size the portions were, but the cafe was full and everyone seemed very happy =)

The park is big and well looked after with lots of people making good use of everything. There are toilets on site with baby change facilities but they are what you would expect from city park public toilets (not great - cold metal seats, auto wash basins and not cleaned regularly, but they weren't as bad as some I have been to).

I would recommend wellies if it has been a bit damp. The park has tarmac paths, but the play area and the farm are a bit soggy with puddles in places.

We had a great morning and next time we go back we will be paying for more than 2 hrs parking so we can have some food in...

It's best to arrive before 10am to get parked at weekends, as the park is very popular and the carpark fills up very quickly. The animal farm is free entry, with a suggested donation of £3, that you can pay for by using contactless payment at points across the farm site. There are lots of animals for everyone to enjoy, and during lambing season you can book a feeding activity for £10 per child. We particularly enjoyed the Shetland Ponies and Shire Horse, and the pigs. The donkeys are scruffy and lovely, but like to play by their own rules, as donkeys are wanton to do. You can purchase feed for the animals, and there is also a gift shop. Additionally there are some small rides for the children that I believe are free, and lots of seating for feeding or just needing a rest because being a parent is just knackering (!)

For £3, or free if you'd rather not donate (no judgement), I think it's a beautiful site and well worth an hour or so out...

We had a trip out from Derbyshire to visit the farm which I had never been to before despite living so close all my life. We had a great time and who can resist the chance to feed the lambs, not us even though we're in our sixties 😄 it's impossible not to smile while feeding them, such fun.

There are plenty of animals from guinnea pigs and goats all the way up to Lottie the lovely and huge Shire horse, even a lonely owl sitting in his box. The farm is very clean and the animals all appear to be well looked after with plenty of staff around busy tending to different things.

The car park was very busy so it might be best to avoid holidays and weekends if possible.

We're looking forward to going back for a second visit when the Highland cows join the other animals.

Definitely worth a visit and guaranteed to bring a smile to...