Explore North Hayne Farm
Experience life on the farm with a family holiday in Devon
"Feeding the animals twice a day was just a truly magical experience for all of us" Barney C - Google Review
As part of your stay at the farm you can take part in our free activities which include twice daily animal feeding sessions (morning/evening) as well as our evening `activity of the day` where you get the chance to meet one of our small animals or even go field trekking with our sheep.
For donkey lovers we also provide free donkey rides at the end of the morning feed session. During busy times we split the cottages in to two groups where you will receive your donkey ride on alternate days as well as the activity of the day.
The farm provides a wonderful opportunity for confidence to develop and for Early Years learning to take place supported by our range of EYFS activity packs and farm trails. We provide a supportive environment where even the most nervous of children (or adults) can participate and benefit.
As well as helping to feed and care for the animals, guests can collect freshly laid eggs from our re-homed ex-battery hens who will provide plenty of entertainment for anyone brave enough to feed them worms! They lay fresh eggs for us every morning, which are also available to buy from the farm house.
We offer extended support for children with Autism and other additional needs
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Some of our activities:
- Stroke a guinea pig
- Cuddle a rabbit
- Groom and walk a goat
- Handle a chicken
- Walk a lamb
- Trek with our sheep
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.
Why not adopt your favourite farm animal or gift someone an adoption pack so their holiday memories live on? Our adoption/donation page has all of our animals and information about our adoption/donation scheme. Visit our adoption page for more details.
Always looking after you
With fabulous hand washing and toilet facilities, we provide a safe farm experience which is also open during the daytime.... if you just can't stay away!
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 |