Hesketh Farm Park
Hands-On Farm Animals & All-Weather Play at Bolton Abbey
Posted on 5th August 2026
Perched on a hillside with panoramic views over the picturesque Wharfe Valley, Hesketh Farm Park is a 10-acre working farm situated just a mile from the historic Bolton Abbey estate near Skipton.
Run by the local farming family, Hesketh Farm is designed specifically for young families—offering a friendly, personal environment where children can stroke calves, cuddle guinea pigs, feed lambs, and enjoy extensive indoor and outdoor play spaces whatever the weather.
Highlights / What to See 🐷
Hesketh Farm Park offers a great mix of animal encounters and physical play across its barns and paddocks:
- Hands-On Animal Barn: Cuddle soft guinea pigs, brush friendly tortoises, stroke calves, and bottle-feed newborn lambs during spring and summer sessions.
- Heated Indoor Play Barn: Ideal for cooler Dales days, featuring a giant straw maze, pedal tractors, sandpits, and giant play blocks.
- Outdoor Adventure Play: Explore wooden climbing towers, swings, slides, outdoor pedal tractor tracks, and a large sandbox area.
- Tractor & Trailer Rides: Take a fun, scenic tractor ride around the farm fields and livestock pastures (seasonal; small extra charge applies).
- Panoramic Dales Views: Relax on outdoor benches enjoying breathtaking views over the surrounding hills and the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway line.
The Farm Cafe & Tearoom ☕
Serves hot drinks, homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches, soups, and children's meal boxes. Indoor heated seating is available inside the barn, along with outdoor picnic tables for visitors bringing packed lunches.
Photo Gallery
Plan Your Visit 📅
Essential details for planning your trip to the farm:
Admission & Booking Guidance
Ticketed Farm Entry: Admission charges apply for adults and children (with free entry for toddlers under 2). Entry includes access to the undercover animal barns, guinea pig petting, chick holding, the giant indoor sandpit, outdoor play paddocks, and go-karts. Tractor and trailer rides with Farmer Chris run throughout the day (weather permitting) for a small additional charge per person.
Turn Up & Pay: Tickets are purchased at the entrance kiosk on arrival. Please note that term-time opening days vary (often weekends only outside school holidays) with weekdays dedicated to pre-booked school and nursery groups.
Check current seasonal opening days, daily activity timetables, and admission policies on the official Hesketh Farm Park Website.
* Note: Opening days (term-time vs school holidays), tractor ride timings, and seasonal closing schedules are subject to change. Please consult the venue's official site prior to travel.
Opening Hours
Open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:00 PM). Open daily during school holidays; open weekends and selected weekdays during term time (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays).
Dog Policy
No dogs are permitted inside the farm park or play barns (registered assistance dogs permitted only).
Facilities
Cafe, heated indoor play barn, straw maze, pedal tractors, outdoor play park, baby changing facilities, and handwashing stations.
Accessibility
Concrete pathways connect the main entrance, cafe, and animal barns. The site is level and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers inside the main compound.
Getting There 🗺️
📍 Location Address:
Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6HA
🚗 By Car & Parking
Situated off the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton, just 1 mile past the main entrance to Bolton Abbey. Ample free on-site parking is provided for visitors.
🚆 By Bus / Public Transport
The nearest main rail stations are Skipton or Ilkley. Seasonal local buses connect Ilkley and Skipton to Bolton Abbey village (short walk/taxi to the farm entrance).
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