Experience Life on the Farm

A stay at North Hayne is about more than just a holiday cottage - it's a chance to experience life on the farm. Throughout your stay, you can get involved with our twice-daily animal feeding sessions, meet our friendly farm animals, enjoy free donkey rides, collect fresh eggs and take part in our evening Activity of the Day.

Our purpose-built children's farm offers a safe, welcoming environment for all ages, helping children learn, build confidence and create special memories. Whether it's a first farm experience or a family tradition, there are plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature and enjoy the simple pleasures of farm life.


Every Day on the Farm

Experience life on the farm with twice daily animal feeding, donkey rides, hands-on activities and unforgettable family adventures.

 

Help Feed Our Animals

With a set routine that helps build confidence through repetition, our feeding time down at the barns is a hands-on experience for all the family. Our farm has something for everyone; our inquisitive donkeys like to see who's walking past their stable, our guinea pigs who wait eagerly at feeding times, our cheeky goats who enjoy being hand fed and our chickens who love the extra attention.  Our fantastic farm is great fun for animal loving grown-ups too and we are certain they will put a smile on your face.

Twice daily animal feeding


Our Feeding Session Order

  • First feed the rabbits and guinea pigs
  • Collect your chicken food and head over to their enclosure
  • Next you're off to feed the sheep and goats
  • Not forgetting to visit our pig
  • And finally our ducks on the pond 
  • Last but not least, wash your hands and collect a clean hands sticker

Farm activities at North Hayne Farm Cottages


Making Handwashing Fun

Our clean hands stickers are designed by children staying at the farm and help to encourage good hand hygiene around the animals.

If you or your child would like to have a design turned into a sticker then please speak to us down at the barns during the feeding session.

Handwashing station


Come and Meet Our Donkeys

Complete your morning session (when it's the turn of your group) with a donkey ride.  For those children who are a little nervous we offer the opportunity to help lead our donkey around the menage.

 

Donkey rides at North Hayne Farm Cottages


The Activity of the Day

Check our notice board down at the farm for your evening activity of the day.  Giving children the opportunity to meet and spend time with our animals develops not only confidence but also an appreciation for the need to be kind and value animals.

We typically choose the activity based upon the age and ability of our young farmers.

Our Activities Include:

  • Stroke a guinea pig
  • Cuddle a rabbit
  • Groom and walk a goat
  • Handle a chicken
  • Walk a lamb
  • Trek with our sheep

Activity of the day at North Hayne Farm Cottages


Sheep Trekking

At the end of our evening feed you can take part in our activity of the day. 

Our sheep trekking field sessions which began in 2025 have now become a popular addition to the activity of the day.  These sessions are aimed to provide our `young farmers` with the opportunity to run freely with the sheep, to feel their fleece, to bond with them, hand feed them and learn more about them.

Taking place in one of our secure fenced fields is a wonderful way for children to feel safe, promote confidence and reduce anxiety.


Bottle Feed Our Spring Lambs

From Spring until early Summer.  Perfect for little ones and animal lovers alike, this hands-on activity gives guests the chance to get up close to our young lambs and help bottle feed them during their stay.

Bottle feed our lambs at North Hayne Farm Cottages


Our Investigation Station

Finally, don't forget to pop in to our Investigation Station (with a new theme every year) where you can discover more about our natural world or simply have some quiet time (great for sensory overloads). Our riding establishment licence is AWL0059 - Licence is issued by North Devon District Council.



Feeding Times on the Farm

Spring Morning feed - Starting @ 9:00am, Evening feed - Starting @ 5:00pm See us down at the feed barn
Summer Morning feed - Starting @ 9:00am, Evening feed - Starting @ 6:00pm See us down at the feed barn
Autumn Morning feed - Starting @ 9:00am, Evening feed - Starting @ 5:00pm See us down at the feed barn
Winter Morning feed - Starting @ 9:00am, Evening feed - Starting @ 4:00pm See us down at the feed barn

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