The Ark Open Farm
The Ark Open Farm
4.6
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
The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. It’s home to a huge selection of farm animals and some that are a little more exotic. We opened the farm back in 1990 as one of the first open farms in Northern Ireland specialising in rare breeds of farm animals. Over the years we have added to our collection as well as developing our facilities to include indoor & outdoor play areas, quad & tractor rides and a really cool fairy-tale forest. The Ark Open Farm is a family run business and our team consists of passionate, animal loving folks who strive to make your experience on the farm extra special. There is something for everyone; animals, activities, lovely food and friendly people.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.6
338 reviews
Excellent
268
Very good
43
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
11
kerryreidjones
Bangor, UK16 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Another fantastic trip to the Ark Farm. We have again purchased our membership for the year as we feel that it is extremely good value. The Ark Farm is fun for all of the family and there are plenty for the children to see and do (as well as the parents). The staff are always extremely warm and welcoming. Animals are loving to see and feed and play areas are exceptional. We also enjoyed our visit to the cafe which again is extremely reasonable in price and the food is always really tasty! Thank you for another fantastic and memorable day out!
Written 28 May 2024
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.
Thank you for the great review! We are so happy to hear that you love visiting the farm and we look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
Written 4 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ingrid M
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
I took my daughter to the farm along with some friends to celebrate her 11th birthday. We spent the whole day there from when it opened at 10am until closing at 5pm. We enjoyed all the activities including the quad bike, tractor rides, the bouncy pillow and zip line amongst others. During the summer they also have a foam party at 1pm and 4pm which they all thoroughly enjoyed and was great fun to watch. Being a farm we also got to see all the animals including the animal handling session and the mini beasts!! We ate in the Cottage cafe for lunch and the food was excellent as was the ice cream hut at the bouncy pillow which served ice cream, slushies, milkshakes and freshly made donuts. The only negative was their coffee machine was out of order the day we were there but otherwise we can't fault anything and we had an absolutely fantastic day out and was a great birthday treat!!
Written 10 August 2024
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.
Thank you for this amazing review! We are so happy to hear that you had a great day out for your daughters birthday and you got to enjoy all the activites and our summer foam parties. We hope to welcome you all back in the future.
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JonathanC
4 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Today was our second visit to the Ark Open Farm, this time accompanied by two young grandchildren visiting from England and their parents. Everybody had a brilliant time. My wife and I so enjoyed our first visit that we bought annual passes for us and our local grandchild, as we are sure to want to visit again and again.
The Farm is wonderful for children, with animals to see and feed (and paper bags of food to buy at 50p a time), as well as road trains to ride on, jumping pillows, playgrounds for small children and for larger children, and a dinosaur park - what a good idea that is - and a fairy story park. There is a cafe where we stopped for coffees whilst the children played in the little playground in the outside area of the cafe. We took a picnic which we ate at one of the good number of picnic tables on the farm. All the staff to whom we spoke were thoroughly friendly and helpful - in fact my daughter repeatedly said how impressed she was by the warmth and friendliness of the staff.
The only negative point that I can think of to mention is that there is room for improved information about the animals. BUT we all think that Ark Open Farm is brilliant for a family day out that will be enjoyed across the generations.
The Farm is wonderful for children, with animals to see and feed (and paper bags of food to buy at 50p a time), as well as road trains to ride on, jumping pillows, playgrounds for small children and for larger children, and a dinosaur park - what a good idea that is - and a fairy story park. There is a cafe where we stopped for coffees whilst the children played in the little playground in the outside area of the cafe. We took a picnic which we ate at one of the good number of picnic tables on the farm. All the staff to whom we spoke were thoroughly friendly and helpful - in fact my daughter repeatedly said how impressed she was by the warmth and friendliness of the staff.
The only negative point that I can think of to mention is that there is room for improved information about the animals. BUT we all think that Ark Open Farm is brilliant for a family day out that will be enjoyed across the generations.
Written 29 May 2024
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.
Thank you for your great review! We are so happy to hear that you all enjoyed your trip to the farm and we look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
Written 4 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hannah C
London, UK60 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We have been to the Ark Farm several times but we've just been to their Halloween event for the first time and it was brilliant. So well done with lots of special activities like slime making, marshmallow toasting etc. The pumpkin patch was beautifully done and it's great that they do the carving for you. Also love that you can just explore the farm at your leisure and spend as long as you want there, unlike other places which give you a set route to follow and limit your time. Loved it!
Written 20 October 2024
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.
Thanks for your fantastic review of our Halloween event! We're delighted you enjoyed the special activities, format and pumpkin carving. We hope you can join us for more events at the farm.
Written 27 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Loreena B
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Family
The Ark farm is the best!!! We had the most amazing day at the ark farm. The staff are absolutely amazing - they know each animal by its name and you can tell they genuinely care about the animals. We arrived at 10am and left at 2pm there is so much to do you could spend the whole day there. The food in the cafe is also delish, and really reasonably priced. We will be back again soon. Well done everyone for keeping this amazing farm going with happy animals.
Written 5 October 2024
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.
Thank you for such an amazing review! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your day at the farm meeting all of our animals and our cafe food. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Written 7 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
J E
Belfast, UK38 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The Ark Farm is a staple for us - we are there a few times a year and always at Christmas, sometimes at Halloween. We have had a membership for the last two years and wouldn't ever feel the need to visit a different open farm.
The staff are very friendly and very capable. Patrick in particular remembers our girls' names and makes an effort to engage with us when we see him around.
The cafe is reasonably priced and the food/drink is of a good standard. The two play parks are excellent and there are jumping pillows that are a must on the way round. I could name all the animals and activities, but it would be too long. There is so much to do and so many different animals to engage with. It also feels like a genuine working farm which is great.
Without a doubt, there is more to do here than any other open farm we've been to and it's worth a visit, no matter where you are based in NI.
The staff are very friendly and very capable. Patrick in particular remembers our girls' names and makes an effort to engage with us when we see him around.
The cafe is reasonably priced and the food/drink is of a good standard. The two play parks are excellent and there are jumping pillows that are a must on the way round. I could name all the animals and activities, but it would be too long. There is so much to do and so many different animals to engage with. It also feels like a genuine working farm which is great.
Without a doubt, there is more to do here than any other open farm we've been to and it's worth a visit, no matter where you are based in NI.
Written 7 August 2024
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.
Thank you for such an amazing review! We are so happy to hear that you love our farm and everything we have to offer incuding some of our seasonal events. We look forward to welcoming you all back again soon.
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lil199
40 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
A great day out, plenty to keep the kids entertained and lots of animals to feed. We visited on a sunny Saturday, and although busy, it didn't feel crowded. The cafe food was excellent and the service was quick. There were a few hiccups, but nothing that would deter us from coming back.
Written 13 August 2024
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.
Thank you for the great review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip to the farm and our cafe food, we hope to welcome you all back again in the future.
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gail C
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Family
Great day out with my young daughters, there is plenty to do to burn off some stream in half term! The new playground is fab, the girls loved the fairy and Dino trails as well as all the animals to feed. The jump pillow is a huge favourite. There are ample picnic areas if you bring your own food, but also a cafe and ice cream shack.
Written 16 February 2025
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.
Thank you for the great review! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit and our new playground, we hope to welcome you all back in the future.
Written 19 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Debbie
10 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Staff are truly amazing. So much information provided to learn lots about the animals, so helpful with the fun tasks and you can tell they really care for the animals the way they talk about them. We went during Halloween adults only night and it was great fun. Take a hat and scarf to stay warm this time of year and an allergy tablet if you love animals but their fur doesn't love you!
The salem witches were hilarious.
The salem witches were hilarious.
Written 31 October 2024
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.
Thank-you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of our adult only Halloween event, we're delighted to hear you enjoyed the evening and meeting our wonderful team. We hope to see you back at the farm soon.
Written 27 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
Had a great day on the farm, kids loved feeding the animals, and the Easter egg hunt. Plenty to keep the kids entertained, loads of inside and outside places to eat your picnic and a great little cafe, coffee stall and ice cream cart to keep everyone happy. Staff were really friendly.
Written 30 March 2024
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.
Thank you for the lovely review! We are so happy to hear that you all at a great time at our Easter event, we hope to welcome you all back in the future.
Written 17 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yes, there's an outdoor space
Written 11 July 2017
Hi what are the entrance fee charges. How much for disabled person
Written 24 August 2015
same answer as the previous person i didnt see any disabled people but i am sure they would be catered for however the ground is not even and even pushing a pram was an obstacle
Written 25 August 2015
The Ark Open Farm
Newtownards, United Kingdom
Thank-you for your question,
Yes you can get a bus to the farm. The Ark Farm is located between the towns of Newtownards and Bangor on the A21, It is on route 6 and the stop should be "mine lane" or just ask for the Ark Farm. Buses leave from either towns bus station, please check translinks timetable for services. Please take care when crossing the dual carriageway, the farm is on its own single lane road. For further info please call 02891820445.
Thanks
Written 22 March 2015
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