Dog friendly farms and petting zoos are the perfect family day out and they’re even better when your pooch gets to make friends.
A surprising amount of petting zoos and farms around the UK are dog friendly. However, most request your dog stay on lead during your visit. Despite this, they’re still a fun and interactive day out for the whole family and especially the doggies!
Check out our choices of dog friendly farms and petting zoos below!
Cotswolds Wildlife Park
Cotswolds, England
The UK’s only dog friendly zoo! It’s not very often that your dog can rock up to a window and meet a Rhino now is it? Well here your dog can do just that. Think of all those new animal smells they will encounter on their adventure to the Cotswolds Wildlife Park. It’s a fantastic day out for any member of the family. Don’t believe us? Check out this review left by Kirstie on Dog Furiendly:
“Omg!!! The best day out ever!!! Hardie’s little tail did not stop all day!!!
A fantastic experience with so much to see and even though there are a few areas that dogs are not allowed these are just the enclosure areas the majority is open and so dog friendly. Being able to get so close to the animals was amazing and Hardie particularly liked the meerkats and penguins.
The cafe itself does not allow dogs inside but there is a takeaway hutch at the side so you are able to access food and drinks. The gift shop also doesn’t allow dogs inside but as I visited on my own the staff were more than happy to let me in as long as he was carried. Even though it is quite a far journey for us we will definitely be back and would recommend everyone attend. Can’t be any more positive about this place. We loved it”
Almond Valley
West Lothian, Scotland
The woods, fields and green spaces of the Almond Valley extend either side of the river Almond for almost a mile. At its heart lies the historic buildings of Livingston Mill and the associated Mill Farm. This is home to many friendly farm animals who are always keen to introduce themselves to visitors. Elsewhere on site, there are all manner of unique and imaginative play spaces set among the fields and gardens.
Anker Wood & Mazeworld
Warwickshire, England
Children and pooches love this fun day out. There are a number of different types of mazes to find your way out of, as well as woodland to walk around. There are also some farmyard animals on-site including alpacas, sheep, goats, pigs and hens.
Bodafon Farm Park
Llandudno, Wales
You and your pooches will receive a warm welcome from the resident farm dogs. This place is 100% dog friendly including the restaurant which offers delicious pizza.
Butser Ancient Farm
Hampshire, England
This open air museum is located in Clanfield in Hampshire. The farm animals roam freely and are comfortable with dogs . The farm also features reconstructions of prehistoric Romano British and Anglo Saxon buildings.
These are based on the real thing. The buildings that are featured are Neolithic dwellings, Iron Age roundhouses, A Romano-British Villa and an early Saxon house. All of the buildings allow dogs to go inside with you.
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
Fife, Scotland
Dogs are welcome provided they are kept on lead at all times. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the Maze or fruit picking areas. However there are plenty of open spaces for pooches to roam and a dedicated play area. During the summer there is a beautiful sunflower field here.
Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park
Cardigan, Wales
This Cardigan Island Costal farm park is a nature reserve for numerous sea birds and wild Scottish sheep opposite Cardigan Island.
The walk around the farm park takes you through numerous fields with a variety of farm animals to see and feed. In the sea between the farm and the island seals pop their heads up. During September and October, seal pups can be seen on the cliffs of the island. For the eagle eyed, dolphins are also known to swim past the island throughout the year.
Church Farm
Wirral, England
This award winning family farm is in the Wirral and boasts incredible views of the River Dee. Meet the animals including sheep, meerkats, pigs, hens, goats, alpacas, donkeys, emu and geese, you can even feed some of them in one of the animal feeding sessions.
On mid and high season dates there are also tractor rides, barrel train rides and timetabled activities on too. One dog per person is welcome to join you at the farm providing they are kept on lead and under control at all times. There is even a doggie exercise area calls ‘Paws Park’ that you can private hire by the hour too.
Clearwell Farm
Newport, Wales
In the borough of Newport, Clearwell Farm combines traditional farming with green energy. On site are converted barn accommodations. Family friendly fun is on offer all year round.In the summer they open a Sunflower Maize Maze with a labyrinth of paths through the sunflower and maize field. From mid-October they open their pumpkin patch where you can choose and pick your own pumpkins.
Dogs are welcome in certain areas but please keep dogs on a lead at all times and kept under control especially around livestock.
Clerkenhill Adventure Farm
Haverfordwest, Wales
There are so many things to enjoy with your pooch at Clerkenhill Adventure Farm. Take them to visit the goats, rabbits, ponies, pigs, and chickens or take a stroll through the adventure trails.
There’s crazy golf and frisbee golf. They also have a fantastic castle playground for the children complete with tunnel slides and a sandpit. Be sure to try the afternoon tea at the cafe!
Cornish Maize Maze & Fun Farm
Cornwall, England
Set on Smeaton Farm, a 450 acre working farm forming part of the duchy of Cornwall estate. Smeaton Farm offers Bed & Breakfast, camping and farm produce. The farm is home to the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze which is open daily every year from the end of July though to September. Special events also include Halloween themed maze and pumpkin picking in October and also a Halloween Maze of Horrors!
Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Somerset, England
This animal sanctuary in Chard is extremely dog friendly as long as your dog is kept on lead. You can see all of the rescue animals including goats, rabbits, pigs and donkeys.
Foel Farm Park
Llanfairpwll, North Wales
You can enjoy a fun tractor ride with your pooch at Foel Farm Park! Bonus points if you can do it while saying the full name of the town it lives in.
Four Winds Farm
Kent, England
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome at Four Winds Farm, from July until August they have a sunflower field and a pumpkin patch from October onwards.
Glebe Farm
Cheshire, England
Set in the beautiful village of Astbury on the outskirts of Congleton, Cheshire. In the backdrop is the historic church of Astbury St Mary’s. The farm continues to expand and recent additions include a Butchers, children’s petting area and playground, retail units and tractor rides. Entry is free but dogs must stay on leads.
Heron Farm
Devon, England
There are any number of lovely dog walks near Heron Farm and dogs are welcome in a section of the cafe. There are 4 resident collies who will greet your pooch.
Kia Ora Mini Farm
Co. Wexford, Ireland
Here you can hold and feed animals in the petting zoo including llamas, emus, alpacas, pot bellied pigs, chinchillas and parrots. The farm is fully wheelchair accessible, has cement paths, toilets, baby changing facilities and offers free car parking in the large car park.
Mudchute Park & Farm
London, England
The Mudchute Association is a registered charity. The 32 acre site offers fantastic views across London. You can enjoy a walk around and meet the farm animals. For food, bring a picnic or have something from the bar.
New Forest Reptile Park
New Forest, England
This unique destination houses a unique collection of all the native lizards, snakes, frogs and toads, including the adder, the only venomous species of snake living in Britain.
These reptiles can be difficult to see in the wild as they are rare and very secretive, so the Reptile Centre is a great place to see them close-up. Please note the centre is not open all year round. For more details refer to the visitor information.
Nore Valley Park
Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Located in Kilkenny, this farm is perfect for a family day out. You can see a wide variety of animals and take part in plenty of activities. Special events take place throughout the year like pumpkin picking and a santa’s grotto. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times as this is a working farm.
Old Down Country Park
Bristol, England
This is a fun day out for the whole family including the pooches! Set in 66 acres of gardens, woodland walks and an animal park. There is a car park on site as well as a cafe, petting zoo area, park and farm shop.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Norwich, England
Well behaved dogs are welcome at this horse sanctuary. It is asked that barking be kept to a minimum as it makes the horses skittish.
Silent World Aquarium & Reptile House
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
This excellent aquarium and reptile house is just a few minutes from the centre of Tenby. Exotic fish, amphibians and invertebrates are all on display in the main tanks. Your pooch will be fascinated watching the fish swimming.
Upstairs is a reptile display which includes both snakes and lizards from around the globe. This aquarium is perfect for children and big kids alike!
Surrey Docks City Farm
London, England
Occupying a lovely 2.2 acre site on the south bank of the river Thames, Surrey Docks Farm is a perfect setting for a day out.
Animals reared on the Farm include a herd of goats, sheep, cows, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, donkeys and a pony. Herds and flocks are farmed with specific attention to animal welfare. The Farm prides itself on having an open animal yard where members of the public can interact with animals in the petting zoo.
Entry to the farm is free but a donation is welcome. Well behaved dogs are welcome when kept on lead at all times.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Ireland
Co. Cork, Ireland
This sanctuary is the home of over 1800 donkeys. Knockardbane Farm is the open farm which houses 127 donkeys and is open to the public year round.
Enjoy a scenic walk around the stunning grounds adorned with mules and donkeys. The visitor centre welcomes over 50,000 visitors every year and has a picnic area on site. Admission and parking is free.
The Old Green Farm Dairy
Bristol, England
This local farm is very dog and child friendly, children are welcome to try making their own milkshakes!
Have you ever taken your pooch to meet new animals?
As you can see, there are any number of dog friendly petting zoos and dog friendly farms where you can take your pooch to see other animals.
Are there any great dog friendly zoos and farms that we missed out? Let us know in the comments!
To find more great dog friendly days out use our nifty Dog Furiendly search bar or check out our travel guides on Houndy.
Not really a farm as such but the Isle of Wight donkey sanctuary is dog friendly, we have reviewed it on our page!
Nature land seal sanctuary at skegness is dog friendly. It’s only small but my dog loved the seal pups 😊
It’s interesting to know that dogs can can be quite interested in penguins as well. I’d like to find a good petting zoo soon because I’m thinking about taking my son to one. I think that will help him decide later on if he would want to have a pet.
It is so nice to see that more pet friendly venues are cropping up around the country. As a dog owner it can be extremely challenging to find places where our furry companions are made welcome. Lists like this make planning an outing with our dogs so much easier and enjoyable.