Hemsworth Road, Norton, Sheffield S8 8LJ

Graves Park Animal Farm

experience · Wildlife watching

Place photograph

5.4

Wildland

1–2 hours for the farm

Time

Donation

Cost

Family-buzz

Feel

ParklandWoodlandUrban historicFamiliesYoung childrenWildlife loversWalkers

Why it's Wildland

5.4

Meet farm animals in Sheffield’s largest municipal park, then extend the visit into a walk among parkland, woodland and the park’s historic landscape.

The farm is a straightforward family animal visit rather than a rare-wildlife destination. Its stronger Wildland appeal is the combination of farm animals with Graves Park’s extensive paths and a deeper landscape story: the park grew from land associated with Norton Hall estate and the ancient manor of Norton, with medieval park boundaries, woodland and fishponds recorded by a local heritage project.

Family-buzz · Peaceful

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Hemsworth Road, Norton, Sheffield S8 8LJ

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The experience

See the farm animals, then decide whether to make a longer outing of the park’s paths, woodland and heritage. Check farm hours and facilities before setting out.

Things to do

Meet the farm animals

See which farm animals are present on the day. A supplied visitor guide names Tamworth pigs, Highland cattle, Jacob sheep, goats, donkeys and waterfowl; this list should not be treated as a guarantee of current stock.

About 1–2 hours for a short farm-focused visit; check locally.

Follow a park heritage trail

The Graves Park heritage project describes trails highlighting the park’s heritage, trees and wildlife. Trail maps are reported as obtainable from the animal farm; check availability before relying on a paper copy.

Look for historic landscape features

The heritage project documents features including a post-medieval bridge in Cobnar Wood and a historic tree stump. Use the project’s trail resources to locate them; do not assume they are immediately beside the farm.

Take a woodland or lakeside park walk

A supplied visitor guide reports woodland, lake and parkland walks in the wider park, ranging from around 1 to 4 miles. Check a current map and ground conditions before choosing a route.

Varies by route

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; estimate based on the supplied visitor guide’s 2–4 hour overall visit range.

Quick farm visit

01
Check the farm’s current opening arrangements before leaving.
02
Visit the animal farm and see which animals are present.
03
If time allows, take a short wander in the adjoining park; choose a route on arrival rather than assuming a particular circuit.

Half day · Around 2–4 hours, as reported by the supplied visitor guide.

Farm, park walk and café

01
Start at Graves Park Animal Farm and spend time with the animals present.
02
Continue into the park for a woodland, lake or parkland walk; the supplied guide reports walks of around 1–4 miles, but route details should be checked locally.
03
Finish with the Rose Garden Café if it is open; verify current hours and facilities.

Verified history

Graves Park was formed from parcels of land associated with the Norton Hall estate and the ancient manor of Norton. A 2023–24 heritage project recorded a layered landscape including medieval deer-park boundaries, ancient woodland, medieval open-field systems and fishponds. Its project materials also document a small sandstone post-medieval bridge in Cobnar Wood and other heritage features. The supplied Tripadvisor excerpt says the park was gifted to Sheffield by Alderman J. G. Graves between 1926 and 1936; this date range is reported there, rather than corroborated by the heritage-project excerpt.

Hidden details

A bridge in Cobnar Wood — The heritage project describes a small single-span bridge made from irregularly cut sandstone, built to cross a watercourse between woodland and fields. Use the project’s trail material to help find it.

Arborglyphs and other documented features — The heritage project includes material on arborglyphs, a historic tree stump, gate posts and a well. Their precise visitor locations and present condition are not established in the supplied excerpts; consult the project trail resources.

When to go

· Check current farm hours; the source row reports 10am–3:30pm daily, but hours can change.

No reliable seasonal visiting advice for the farm was supplied. Park walks may be affected by weather and ground conditions.

The supplied visitor guide notes slopes and varied terrain in the wider park. Check conditions before walking; muddy or uneven sections are possible but not specifically verified by the supplied sources.

Worth pairing with

Graves Park woodland and lake walks

Extend the farm visit with a walk in the surrounding park. The supplied guide reports woodland, lake and parkland routes of around 1–4 miles; check a current map and conditions.

Rose Garden Café

A supplied visitor guide identifies the café as an option in Graves Park. Check whether it is open before planning around it.

Graves Park heritage trails

Use the heritage project’s trail resources to explore documented landscape and tree features beyond the farm.

What to look for

01
At the farm, look for the animals present on the day
02
a supplied visitor guide names Tamworth pigs, Highland cattle, Jacob sheep, goats, donkeys and waterfowl. In the wider park, use the heritage and tree trail material to look for features such as the post-medieval bridge and historic tree stump.

The story

Norton Hall estate, ancient manor of Norton, medieval park boundaries and historic landscape

Best time to go

Check current farm arrangements before visiting. The wider park can be explored throughout the year, with conditions varying by weather.

The source row lists daily hours of 10am–3:30pm, but these may change; verify directly before visiting. Earlier in the day may suit a quieter family visit, though no quiet-time evidence was supplied.

How long to spend

1–2 hours for the farm; 2–4 hours with a park walk

Perfect for

Families · Young children · Wildlife lovers · Walkers

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Hemsworth Rd, Norton, Sheffield S8 8LJ

Phone

+44 114 250 0500

Website

m.facebook.com

Listed hours

Monday: 10am-3:30pm
Tuesday: 10am-3:30pm
Wednesday: 10am-3:30pm
Thursday: 10am-3:30pm
Friday: 10am-3:30pm
Saturday: 10am-3:30pm
Sunday: 10am-3:30pm

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.7 · 2,638 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A farm animal attraction within Graves Park. A supplied visitor guide reports free entry with a suggested donation and no booking for standard visits; check current arrangements before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Parking is reported around Graves Park; charges may apply depending on the car park. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Toilets are reported at the farm and café area; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

The Rose Garden Café is reported in Graves Park; check opening arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs are reported as not allowed inside the animal farm. Check current signage and rules for the wider park.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and seating. A supplied visitor guide describes the farm area as mostly flat, while the wider park has slopes and varied terrain. Confirm current access details before visiting.

Cost

Donation

Water

The wider park is described in a supplied source as having three linked lakes; no water activity or access permission is established.