Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6HA
Hesketh Farm Park
Farm park
Place photograph
4.7
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.7A fourth-generation working farm in the Yorkshire Dales, where hands-on animal encounters and indoor and outdoor play sit among about 10 acres of greenery overlooking the hills.
Hesketh Farm Park offers a family-friendly way to meet working-farm animals in a Dales setting, with views over the hills and a steam railway passing through the valley below. Its appeal is a mix of countryside atmosphere and farm activities rather than a wilderness experience.
Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapBolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6HA
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The experience
Meet and feed farm animals, explore the straw maze and play areas, and take a break at the small café. The farm is a family attraction rather than a quiet nature reserve; check its calendar and current activity schedule before travelling.
Things to do
Meet the farm animals
The farm describes opportunities to feed and stroke animals at this working farm, which keeps cattle, sheep and pigs. Check which encounters are available on your visit.
Explore the straw maze
Try the straw maze, one of the indoor activities described by the farm.
Take in the Dales setting
Look towards the surrounding Yorkshire hills and listen for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway in the valley below.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
A quick farm visit
- 01
Check the farm’s calendar and current activity schedule before travelling.
- 02
Spend your visit meeting the farm animals and exploring the straw maze.
- 03
Pause for a homemade snack at the small café if it is open.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it
- 01
Start at Hesketh Farm Park and allow time for the animal encounters and play areas.
- 02
Take a break at the farm’s small café.
- 03
If you want to extend the outing, Bolton Abbey’s visitor information describes walks beside the River Wharfe and through Strid Wood; check current access and arrangements before adding this stop.
Verified history
Hesketh Farm remains a working farm run by Chris and Sue, described on its official website as the fourth generation of the family to farm there. The farm’s website says it has more than 1,000 livestock, including cattle, sheep and pigs.
When to go
· Check the farm’s calendar for open dates and plan around the current activity schedule.
The official website says the farm closes over winter and that opening dates are shown on its calendar. Do not assume it is open on a particular date.
The farm describes a heated undercover barn for colder weather. Check current facilities and opening information before travelling.
Worth pairing with
Bolton Abbey and Strid Wood
Bolton Abbey’s visitor information describes walks beside the River Wharfe and through Strid Wood. This could extend a farm visit into a countryside outing; check current access, conditions and any charges before setting out.
What to look for
Look out over the Yorkshire hills and listen for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway passing through the valley below. Animal activities and available encounters can vary, so check the current schedule.
Best time to go
Check the farm’s calendar for open dates. Its website says it closes over winter; animal activities may vary by season.
The official website says opening dates are shown on its calendar and that the farm closes over winter. Check the calendar before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Families · Young children
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A working farm and family visitor attraction just outside Bolton Abbey. The official website advises checking its calendar for open dates; opening days vary and it closes over winter. Check current access and activity details before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; the supplied official information does not confirm visitor parking.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The official website describes a small café serving homemade snacks.
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Source-row accessibility information reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating, but not a wheelchair-accessible car park. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Hesketh Farm Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
