Totnes Rare Breeds Farm
Totnes Rare Breeds Farm
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Looking for a fantastic day out? This family-owned attraction is small enough to provide a friendly and personal service, with enough to keep visitors happy all day.What sets Totnes Rare Breeds apart is the opportunity to be within hugging range of all the animals. Most enclosures can be entered for close-up stroking, patting and cuddling. The Garden Café (outside the farm) offers made-to order dishes at reasonable prices, from indulgent snacks to tasty meals.
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4.5
500 reviews
Excellent
314
Very good
139
Average
26
Poor
10
Terrible
11
Maggie J
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The children enjoyed petting the Guinea pigs ( they sit on their Laps) and seeing the owls and ducks. There are washing facilities with small sinks for little ones which is very good. There’s a nice picnic area and cafe (expensive).
On the down side, I was very upset to see the conditions these animals are kept in. Their enclosures are far too small and filthy. The ducks ‘bath’ is tiny in every instance and extremely dirty and this appears to be their only source of drinking water too- totally inadequate, especially on a hot day. The rabbits’ enclosure ( concrete) is small and filthy with flies buzzing around them- very sad. The owls looked so sad and bored, being chained to a small tree stump the whole time the farm is open. These are gorgeous, intelligent creatures and it’s heart breaking to see them on display like this. While we were there, the was no sign of a person to watch over them and make sure they were protected. The whole ‘farm’ is filthy, run down and out-dated and needs a complete re-vamp. Entry is expensive and literally takes 45 minutes to look around, even with little ones stopping to feed the ducks/ goats and pet the Guinea pigs. There is a message stating the geese bite. These are two huge geese behind an inadequate fence- so please ensure your child is supervised to avoid an accident waiting to happen!
Until this farm cleans up it’s act and looks after it’s animals better, I wouldn’t recommend visiting - I certainly won’t be back with my children.
On the down side, I was very upset to see the conditions these animals are kept in. Their enclosures are far too small and filthy. The ducks ‘bath’ is tiny in every instance and extremely dirty and this appears to be their only source of drinking water too- totally inadequate, especially on a hot day. The rabbits’ enclosure ( concrete) is small and filthy with flies buzzing around them- very sad. The owls looked so sad and bored, being chained to a small tree stump the whole time the farm is open. These are gorgeous, intelligent creatures and it’s heart breaking to see them on display like this. While we were there, the was no sign of a person to watch over them and make sure they were protected. The whole ‘farm’ is filthy, run down and out-dated and needs a complete re-vamp. Entry is expensive and literally takes 45 minutes to look around, even with little ones stopping to feed the ducks/ goats and pet the Guinea pigs. There is a message stating the geese bite. These are two huge geese behind an inadequate fence- so please ensure your child is supervised to avoid an accident waiting to happen!
Until this farm cleans up it’s act and looks after it’s animals better, I wouldn’t recommend visiting - I certainly won’t be back with my children.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn
14 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Certainly not worth the money charged to go in, a couple of quid would be a more reasonable price for what is actually there. Dirty pens, the chinchillas enclosure was filthy, the owls I've never seen them on display like that, the Barn owl looked stressed and was trying to hide , poor thing had no where to shade or hide...hardly any animals, should say chicken farm...odd they were selling animals too?? All in all o e of the worst places I've ever been to.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave L
Burntwood, UK24 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Just came back from a visit to the Rare Breeds Farm in Totnes.
We did it via the South Devon Steam Railway journeys and had time to kill before the return leg back to Buckfastleigh.
The Rare Breeds Farm is a great place to get to see several animals close up, and you can also feed some of the animals too (50 pence for a bag of food)
Highlights of the trip today were being able to pet a Guinea pig and also spend some time with Pete, who was telling us all about the Owls.
Pete is utterly devoted to his furry friends, and it's obvious that they are as devoted to him from their reactions to his attention.
I really can't speak more highly of this gentleman....he was engaging, informative, knowledgeable, and passionate about his subject.
Our time with him and the Owls was worth the entry price alone.
We did it via the South Devon Steam Railway journeys and had time to kill before the return leg back to Buckfastleigh.
The Rare Breeds Farm is a great place to get to see several animals close up, and you can also feed some of the animals too (50 pence for a bag of food)
Highlights of the trip today were being able to pet a Guinea pig and also spend some time with Pete, who was telling us all about the Owls.
Pete is utterly devoted to his furry friends, and it's obvious that they are as devoted to him from their reactions to his attention.
I really can't speak more highly of this gentleman....he was engaging, informative, knowledgeable, and passionate about his subject.
Our time with him and the Owls was worth the entry price alone.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felicity S
Torquay, UK12 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Had a wonderful day at the rare breeds farm, feeding sheep, goats, alpacas and enormous chickens, cuddling owls and stroking baby goats and guinea pigs! Pete the owl man is basically a local celebrity, he takes various owls for walks around Totnes and Paignton, and nets the steam train with an owl on his arm as often as possible. He has a wealth of knowledge about all the animals (but especially the owls) and is great at engaging young children. All the volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable.
The cafe and shop were very reasonably priced too, though I would recommend bringing a picnic if you visit during the week as their cafe is only well stocked apart from at weekends.
The cafe and shop were very reasonably priced too, though I would recommend bringing a picnic if you visit during the week as their cafe is only well stocked apart from at weekends.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlotte A
Peterborough, UK16 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Lovely little day out , really happy looking animals . Loved being able to feed them and get in the pen with the goats
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emma c
7 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Lovely few hours with my little boy here who loved seeing all of the animals, especially a close encounter with the owls, the handler was so friendly and brought the owls right up close to say hello!
Good location over the river makes for a nice little walk and you'll catch a steam train passing through the station if you're lucky.
Kids play park by pavilions leisure centre too that you can pop into on the way back to the car.
Cafe could have a better offering of food but overall really enjoyed our visit.
Good location over the river makes for a nice little walk and you'll catch a steam train passing through the station if you're lucky.
Kids play park by pavilions leisure centre too that you can pop into on the way back to the car.
Cafe could have a better offering of food but overall really enjoyed our visit.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine272006
Bristol, UK58 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Lovely small petting farm next to South Devon railway. Cheeky goats 🐐 make sure you buy food for them. The owl's are beautiful & the chap who handles them was really friendly. A negative is that there was no hot food, the cafe here used to be brilliant but there was a sign on the door explaining that they are struggling to recruit staff.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john m
1 contribution
Sep 2022
Cafe didn't have any hot food and was short of other items paninis where rare as where a lot of the birds because of the Bird Flu outbreak in the area, however, that didnt stop them charging the same price. No Red squirrels, only 2 donkeys, a couple of alpaca, lots of goats. Rare (short) of rare breeds.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodie H
Hastings, UK1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Friends
After out terrible visit to knockhatch it has prompted me to write a review on rare breeds about our visit a week before ,
This place literally caters to everybody’s needs . There was one particular lady called Hannah who helped above and beyond in the barn which my little girl didn’t leave Hannah understood about my little girls autism let her interact with the animals and was so kind, caring and chatty. Would definitely recommend this place ! The staff are fantastic! Thanks rare breeds you were a dream 😍 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This place literally caters to everybody’s needs . There was one particular lady called Hannah who helped above and beyond in the barn which my little girl didn’t leave Hannah understood about my little girls autism let her interact with the animals and was so kind, caring and chatty. Would definitely recommend this place ! The staff are fantastic! Thanks rare breeds you were a dream 😍 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah V
10 contributions
Aug 2022
Small petting farm...great for those who want an interactive experience with lovely farm animals. Buy food from the cafe to feed the numerous sheep, goats and alpacas.
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this wheelchair accessible? Is it something for adults to do also or just aimed for children?
Hi! Yes we pride ourselves on being very wheelchair friendly. There is a short walk in from parking in Totnes, but the route is also wheelchair friendly. Alternatively you could get a joint ticket with the South Devon Steam Railway. They have free car parking at the Buckfastleigh end, a lovely train ride down to us and then we are literally on the other side of the tracks. Joint Tickets are available from the train station.
We are aimed at young families, but to be honest I think that sometimes adults can get more out of their visit to us if they love animals. We are only a small place, but we do try to make your visit as interactive and memorable as possible.
Caroline H
Poole, UK19 contributions
Hi, are dogs allowed on-site please? Hoping to visit tomorrow. Thanks
Dogs are welcome on leads in the cafe garden, but I am afraid not in the farm itself.
jnnsdav
Exeter, UK
Do you have a play area e.g. Park onsite or is it just the animals ? We are thinking of Booking the steam train with a toddler we need to work out our timings if there is a play bit it's very difficult to leave ! :)
Hello, we are purely animal based and so do not have a play park, so while we hope your child will love the animals, it may be a bit easier to persuade them to leave :) We hope to see you soon.
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Claim your listingTOTNES RARE BREEDS FARM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Totnes Rare Breeds Farm
- Totnes Rare Breeds Farm is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Totnes Rare Breeds Farm:
- (0.12 mi) The Steam Packet Inn
- (0.23 mi) The Old Forge at Totnes
- (0.27 mi) Four Seasons Guest House
- (0.30 mi) Royal Seven Stars Hotel
- (0.17 mi) Steamer Quay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
- Restaurants near Totnes Rare Breeds Farm:
- (0.11 mi) The Steam Packet Inn Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Riverside Cafe
- (0.27 mi) Maisie's Cafe
- (0.27 mi) Dartmouth Inn
- (0.39 mi) Gather