Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 7NS
Smithills Open Farm
Farm park
Place photograph
4.7
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Family-buzz
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.7A working dairy farm turned family attraction, where farm animals sit alongside a zoo collection and hands-on encounters.
Smithills is more farm-day-out than wild escape: its appeal lies in meeting a varied collection of farm and zoo animals and seeing dairy farming brought to life. The surrounding countryside adds a rural setting, but the main experience is the animals and family activities.
Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapSmithills Dean Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 7NS
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the animal areas at an unhurried pace, looking out for the dairy herd and the wider mix of farm and zoo animals. Tripadvisor’s attraction description also mentions milking demonstrations and tractor and donkey rides; check the current programme before planning around them.
Things to do
Meet the farm animals
Explore the farm’s animal areas. The attraction description names calves, goats and pigs among the animals visitors may meet; check the current collection and encounter arrangements.
Explore the zoo collection
The farm’s zoo area includes small exotic animals, according to the attraction description. Check current animal displays and any scheduled talks before your visit.
See dairy farming explained
Look for a milking demonstration if one is scheduled. The source describes these as part of the farm’s offer, but the current programme should be checked.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick animal visit
- 01
Check the current programme and access information before you go.
- 02
Explore the animal areas, starting with the farm animals.
- 03
Allow time to see which demonstrations or encounters are available that day.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it
- 01
Plan around the day’s advertised activities rather than assuming demonstrations or rides are running.
- 02
Spend time with the dairy and farm animals, then explore the zoo collection.
- 03
If available, finish with a milking demonstration or a ride listed in the current programme.
Verified history
A 2022 visitor video describes the Grimshaw family farming in Lancashire for more than a century and says Anthony Grimshaw moved to Smithills in 1986 to start a dairy farm. It recounts the decision to open the farm to visitors in 2001 and later rebuild the dairy herd. Treat this as a reported account, not an independently verified chronology.
When to go
· Check the current programme and opening arrangements; no best time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not establish a seasonal advantage.
Check the forecast and current visitor information before travelling.
What to look for
Notice the contrast between familiar farm animals and the more unusual species in the zoo collection. If a milking demonstration is running, use it to follow the link between the dairy herd and milk production.
The story
Working dairy farm and family-run farm attraction.
Best time to go
Check current opening and seasonal activities before visiting.
Check the official website for current opening arrangements and scheduled activities before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day; allow longer if you want to explore the full attraction.
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Groups
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
An admission-based farm attraction. Check the official website for current access arrangements before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
A visitor account describes a café and farm-made ice cream; check current provision before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. Check the official website for current details and route suitability.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Smithills Open Farm
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
