Old MacDonald's Farm
Old MacDonald's 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
There’s so much fun to be had at Old MacDonald’s Farm & Fun Park, whatever the weather. The farm is packed with family rides & amusements & we are always adding something new. So come and have some fun :) Rides include our Doggy Dog roller coaster, Tractor rides, Giant slides, sand pits, crazy barn, Pony adventures ride & more!!! We’ve two indoor soft play areas your kids can have fun in, while you grab yourself a cuppa and something to nibble on. We also have lots of outdoor play areas to keep them entertained. We’ve over 30 different species of animals here; including meerkats, pigs, wallabies, rabbits, ponies, cows, sheep, horses, reindeer, alpacas, donkey. You can also see our wonderful Annie the European Eagle Owl & many more!!! On the outskirts of Brentwood, we are conveniently located just off the Jct. 28 of the M25, within easy reach of all of Essex, East London, Hertfordshire & Kent. Old MacDonald's Farm is a Visitor assured accredited & an award winning attraction.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Zoe M3 contributionsGreat day outI decided to take the youngest one to old McDonald’s farm and she loved it. Definitely a great day out for all ages and no matter the weather. It did rain here and there but we still have great fun and plenty of seats about as well.Thanks for coming to see us and for sharing your day. We hope to see you again soon. OMDWritten 25 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 February 2024
- Beth A1 contributionHalf term funI visited Old Macdonald’s farm during half term week with my 2 year old and newborn, we had a great time! We booked for the afternoon session, which is great value. We enjoyed all areas of the farm including the animals, singing princesses, soft play, play areas and rides. I was able to take my newborn on most of the rides with us, which meant my toddler could still go on everything she wanted to. The ride operators were very helpful, especially the lady operating the carousel and the train driver. We have visited the farm a few times before and every time the train driver impresses us with his enthusiasm to make each ride so special for all of the children. He takes the time out to chat, take photos and play with each and every child. He is just fantastic at his job! On this visit in particular, he really went above and beyond - my little girl wanted to go on the horse/unicorn ride, however was under 1m so was unable to go on by herself. The train driver offered to stand beside my pram with my newborn inside so that I could go on the ride with her. It made my daughters day and I was so touched at his kindness, he made sure we had an excellent end to a lovely day and we are very grateful!Brilliant ! Thanks you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We're so pleased to hear that you had a great time at Old MacDonald's Farm, and your kind comments will be forwarded on to the team. We hope to welcome you back again soon. With thanks, OMDWritten 25 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 February 2024
- Sally P1 contributionExcellent fun filled day out!Excellent day out had by all! I love the fact there is such a variety of things for the children to see and do with one ticket payment on entry. My daughter went for her 5th birthday and was delighted to meet some princesses ! There was so much to do, glitter tattoos, dragon puppets all day, a magic show, small animal petting. The children had a ball. (Would recommend bringing own drinks and snacks for kids if on a budget as these are very expensive.)Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had an excellent day out at our venue for her 5th birthday celebration. We hope to welcome you back again soon for more magical moments! With thanks, OMDWritten 25 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 February 2024
- Curious1422070114628 contributionsNice day weather permittingUnfortunately, the weather was horrendous when we went. There’s little shelter to keep out of the rain to keep dry and warm. However, the venue did offer to swap our prepaid tickets to an alternative date before we entered, which I thought was very fair and reasonable. Not many places would do this. Most of the attractions are outside so keep this in mind. It was a shame about the weather as my nephew was desperate to play on the outside slides. We definitely will be back in the summer.Thanks for coming to see us. What a shame about the weather - hopefully it'll be a bit brighter on your next visit. With thanks, OMDWritten 2 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 March 2024
- Juliana W8 contributionsDon’t let the rain stop you from having a fun day out at Old Macdonald’s FarmWe recently visited Old Macdonalds Farm with my sisters, partners & all our children to celebrate my nephews 2nd birthday. Although the weather was poor we waited in the cafe and ordered food under shelter for the down pour to finish and then it eventually brightened up. This then gave us the opportunity to have a go on all the rides and visit all the animals. The best part was, because the weather wasnt amazing the grounds wasn’t busy at all which meant no queuing up time and allowed the children to have a pleasant time walking around on foot without bumping into a crowd. So many good picture opportunities with the sunshine in full view. I was really impressed with the staff who were very pleasant and engaging with the younger children. We especially loved the most enthusiastic gentleman on the train, honestly so much energy and smiles, he really made our day we went on the train twice because of him. Thank you so much we will be returning.Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience at Old MacDonald's Farm. We're thrilled to hear that despite the weather, you and your family had a fantastic time celebrating your nephew's 2nd birthday with us. We take great pride in our staff, and we're so pleased to hear that they provided excellent service - and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to the train driver who made such a positive impact on your day. Thank you once again for choosing to spend your special day with us. We can't wait to welcome you and your family back for another visit in the future! OMDWritten 3 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 March 2024
- Emma- Louise P3 contributionsAmazing Family Day OutOld Macdonalds Farm 🚜 This was the first time we'd been here, and it did not disappoint. When booking, I was shocked to see the entry prices, but I was unaware it included EVERYTHING! The rides, the activity areas, and the petting! So was actually a bargain 👌🏻 There were tonnes of rides for the kids to enjoy, and they could go on them as much as they wanted. There was a Play Village that had role-playing bits in, and a softplay included too. Regular petting sessions were scheduled throughout the day, and the staff were all so friendly, handing out stickers for the girls being brave. They even got a sticker after going on a ride for being brave 🙏 Those kinds of things really boost the children's confidence, so I was very impressed. Overall, it was a fantastic day out with the babies! I just wish I could've hugged some cows 🤣 @omd_farm thank you for a fun filled day! I can't wait to bring the babies back!Thank you for sharing your experience! It's great to know that our all-inclusive pricing pleasantly surprised you, and we’re thrilled to hear you had a wonderful day at our farm! We appreciate your kind words and can't wait to welcome you back for another fun-filled day! (As for hugging cows, maybe we can arrange a special cow-hugging session next time 😂 😉🐮!) Best wishes, OMDWritten 11 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 March 2024
- Lauren D1 contributionDon’t let the rain stop you… best day ever👍🏼🙂Never been here before… today was the first and would definitely recommend and go again soon. Went with my family for my son’s birthday and had a great time, we didn’t let the rain stop us, there was so much to do and all staff was lovely and helpful. Loved that once you pay for entry, the kids get unlimited time on rides and get to do so much. Shows and feeding times were always around so we knew and didn’t miss out. Can’t wait to go again🙂Thanks for celebrating your son's birthday with us! We're delighted you had a great time despite the rain. See you again soon, OMDWritten 11 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 March 2024
- Jaime WIlford, United Kingdom15 contributionsGreat place but could be even betterOverall we had a lovely time at Old Macdonalds Farm. Lots of things to see and do. We went with a 7 year old and he wanted to do lots of things multiple times which was great and it wasn't too busy. We would come back again. I do have some thoughts on improvements: But, we only managed to actually pet/stroke one animal a pygmy hedgehog. It seems like a missed opportunity to not allow more interaction with the animals as it is aimed at young children. A few of the smaller animals were clearly hiding in their houses, it would be interesting if you could find a way to still see them e.g. Chipmunks, ferrets etc. The animal feeding aspect was all at a distance and having fed animals at other zoos or safari parks this doesn't make sense. Many animals said we bite don't touch us or give us space which again as a zoo aimed at small children doesn't see right. Overall lots of attractions were great. We enjoyed the ride on the dog coaster, crazy barn, happy horses etc. The guy operating the train was great and clearly loved his job. :-) It's a shame they still have coin based attractions as it is unusual for people to have coins now. So they could be converted to tap and pay by card, I know some things have this done elsewhere or provision to get cash and coins around to avoid sad children who can't use these items. I noticed that the hot chocolate was £5.50 at Kitty Kats Coffee. This is too much even Starbucks don't charge that price. Also would be great if there weren't small things not working like the milk a cow, hand pumped water by the otters. Noone mentioned the park was closing so we were hurried out of the shop which again seems unfortunate. Overall we had a good day and the tickets were reasonably priced so the above are just suggestions for improvements. We would visit again.Thank you for your recent visit to Old Macdonald's Farm and for sharing your experience. We're glad you had a great time exploring our attractions. We appreciate your suggestions for improvement, particularly regarding animal interaction and payment methods, and apologies for any maintenance issues you encountered and for any miscommunication regarding the park's closing time. Thank you for your valuable feedback and hope to welcome you back soon. OMDWritten 25 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 March 2024
- JanBrentwood, United Kingdom6 contributionsFun day out!My grandson, who will be 5 in June, had an amazing day seeing the animals ( including a baby hedgehog) and laughed a lot at the goats climbing the steps to the bridge. He loved the rides ( and as it was quiet he could stay on!) , and the play areas and enjoyed the soft play at the end of the day. We had an action packed 4 hours and the facilities (toilets and places to picnic ) were great.Thank you for sharing such a lovely experience! We're thrilled to hear that your grandson had an amazing day at the farm. Looking forward to welcoming you both back in the future! With thanks, OMDWritten 27 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 March 2024
- Laura H1 contributionGreat family day out!First visit to OMD farm & we all were very pleasantly surprised. We took our 3 yo & 15 yo so we wasn’t sure how well it would appeal to both. Well it ticked a box for the whole family. Our 3 yo son loved feeding & seeing the animals & both him & our 15 yo daughter had fun on the rides. We even decided as a whole family to go on the doggy mini roller coaster. It was a chilly day when we went so the loaded hot chocolates were very welcomed. We were already discussing when we’re coming back before we’d even left. Our son loves Hey Duggee & Peppa Pig & the splash zone looks good fun for the warmer months. All in all a well rounded fun day for all the family.Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled your first visit to OMD farm was a pleasant surprise for the whole family. It's great to hear everyone enjoyed feeding animals and riding the attractions - we look forward to welcoming you back soon ! With thanks, OMDWritten 31 March 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 March 2024
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4.5
2,714 reviews
Excellent
1,720
Very good
530
Average
200
Poor
114
Terrible
150
Christina H
4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We simply loved our day out at Old Macdonalds Farm - grandparents with an adventurous 3 year old and a 15 month old who was too young to really appreciate it.
We felt the sheer variety on offer was superb with safety an obvious feature, there was enough room to not feel crowded, and the staff were charming and helpful plus kind to the children. The live shows were a super addition as was the proximity to animals but one word of caution - don't stand too close to the llamas as they spit, as they do in the wild!! All in all, we felt it was very well run with high standards. So for the activities on offer, a 10/10.
A couple of minor quips which I hope will be helpful to the management as well:
- I was appalled by the unhealthy option of foods on offer and £6.50 from the kids menu for half a sausage on a small pile of fries is outrageous PLUS £1 for a very basic roll to eat the sausage in. Nothing you would classify as healthy in sight, even decent small nibbles (how about sandwiches?) - missing a sale here management as most parents now do look at what their children eat. Obviously we would in future (and we intend to return) take our own picnic as other parents did. So on the food & drinks offering a huge Zero.
- The website does not say that you need to bring coins for some activities, something which few of us carry nowadays.
Hope other parents find this useful. Highly recommend this day out.
We felt the sheer variety on offer was superb with safety an obvious feature, there was enough room to not feel crowded, and the staff were charming and helpful plus kind to the children. The live shows were a super addition as was the proximity to animals but one word of caution - don't stand too close to the llamas as they spit, as they do in the wild!! All in all, we felt it was very well run with high standards. So for the activities on offer, a 10/10.
A couple of minor quips which I hope will be helpful to the management as well:
- I was appalled by the unhealthy option of foods on offer and £6.50 from the kids menu for half a sausage on a small pile of fries is outrageous PLUS £1 for a very basic roll to eat the sausage in. Nothing you would classify as healthy in sight, even decent small nibbles (how about sandwiches?) - missing a sale here management as most parents now do look at what their children eat. Obviously we would in future (and we intend to return) take our own picnic as other parents did. So on the food & drinks offering a huge Zero.
- The website does not say that you need to bring coins for some activities, something which few of us carry nowadays.
Hope other parents find this useful. Highly recommend this day out.
Written 30 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 your detailed feedback! It’s fantastic to hear that you loved your day out at OMD and enjoyed the live shows and animal interactions.
We appreciate your comments on the food options and the need for coins for some activities. Your suggestions are valued, and we’ll pass them on to our management team.
Thanks for your recommendation. We look forward to seeing you on another visit soon. Best regards, OMD
Written 31 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nathan&Gemma
Kent, UK234 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
This is one of them places i have always seen as i pass it on the motorway and meaning to go, so i made sure i did.
I visited during a weekday in term time and it was around £30 for both me and my partner and my 18 month old was free (under 2’s are). We arrived around 12pm and was quite surprised as how quiet it actually was. There was various school trips there however they didn’t cause any issues. There was no waiting for any of the activities there at all. There are various rides dotted around the side for the kids to go on and they are all included with the price of the ticket.
There are various farm animals as well, such as lambs, tortoises and alpacas and many more that you can see even close up. Some reviews mention about the amount of time being there and the fact they done it in an hour, this is something that i agree with. We visited for an hour and a half at most but i think that was due to how quiet it was and we were able to go around see anything. The staff on site were very friendly and accommodating aswell. I probably would at some point visit again, maybe when my child is a bit older and will appreciate the things he is looking at.
I visited during a weekday in term time and it was around £30 for both me and my partner and my 18 month old was free (under 2’s are). We arrived around 12pm and was quite surprised as how quiet it actually was. There was various school trips there however they didn’t cause any issues. There was no waiting for any of the activities there at all. There are various rides dotted around the side for the kids to go on and they are all included with the price of the ticket.
There are various farm animals as well, such as lambs, tortoises and alpacas and many more that you can see even close up. Some reviews mention about the amount of time being there and the fact they done it in an hour, this is something that i agree with. We visited for an hour and a half at most but i think that was due to how quiet it was and we were able to go around see anything. The staff on site were very friendly and accommodating aswell. I probably would at some point visit again, maybe when my child is a bit older and will appreciate the things he is looking at.
Written 5 July 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 sharing your experience at OMD. We look forward to welcoming you back for another visit. Best wishes, OMD
Written 6 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark G
7 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Halloween at Old McDonald's Farm" in the UK offers a fang-tastic day out, especially for families with young children. The event combines the charm of a farm visit with just the right touch of Halloween fun—perfect for little ghouls and goblins. Here’s what you can expect from this boo-tiful experience:
1. Pumpkin Patch: The pick-tacular pumpkin patch is a favourite, where families can choose a pumpkin of their choice for carving or decorating. The area is decorated with hay bales and Halloween backdrops—ideal for fang-tastic photo ops.
2. Animal talks and petting sessions: The petting zoo is perfect for little ones to meet fa-boo-lous farm animals like rabbits, and ponies.
3. Haunted House: Be cautious with young children—the haunted house at Old McDonald's Farm is on the gorier side, with decorations that might be too intense for little ones. It’s designed for those who want an extra dose of fright, so parents may want to skip this boo-scare attraction if they have very young or sensitive children.
4. Family Rides: The farm offers gentle rides suitable for younger children, adding a little extra fun to the day without any big scares
Pros & Cons
* Pros:
* Affordable Entry: This event is an affordable alternative to bigger Halloween attractions, making it easy on the wallet for families and a pumpkin is included for each child entry.
* Family-Oriented Atmosphere: With a not-too-spooky vibe, it’s ideal for younger kids who want Halloween fun without too many scares (aside from the haunted house).
* Photo Opportunities: The pumpkin patch has lots of photo opportunities.
* Cons:
* Crowds: As Halloween draws closer, the farm may get crowded, especially on weekends. An early arrival can help you avoid the creep of the crowd.
* Limited Thrills for Older Kids: Aside from the haunted house, older children may find the general spook level a bit low, as the event leans more toward spell-binding fun than scares.
Overall
"Halloween at Old McDonald's Farm" is a cute outing for families with young children, offering a day filled with pumpkins, animals, and a fang-tastic seasonal atmosphere. Overall, it’s the purr-fect way for little ones to celebrate Halloween without too many chills—just lots of thrills!
1. Pumpkin Patch: The pick-tacular pumpkin patch is a favourite, where families can choose a pumpkin of their choice for carving or decorating. The area is decorated with hay bales and Halloween backdrops—ideal for fang-tastic photo ops.
2. Animal talks and petting sessions: The petting zoo is perfect for little ones to meet fa-boo-lous farm animals like rabbits, and ponies.
3. Haunted House: Be cautious with young children—the haunted house at Old McDonald's Farm is on the gorier side, with decorations that might be too intense for little ones. It’s designed for those who want an extra dose of fright, so parents may want to skip this boo-scare attraction if they have very young or sensitive children.
4. Family Rides: The farm offers gentle rides suitable for younger children, adding a little extra fun to the day without any big scares
Pros & Cons
* Pros:
* Affordable Entry: This event is an affordable alternative to bigger Halloween attractions, making it easy on the wallet for families and a pumpkin is included for each child entry.
* Family-Oriented Atmosphere: With a not-too-spooky vibe, it’s ideal for younger kids who want Halloween fun without too many scares (aside from the haunted house).
* Photo Opportunities: The pumpkin patch has lots of photo opportunities.
* Cons:
* Crowds: As Halloween draws closer, the farm may get crowded, especially on weekends. An early arrival can help you avoid the creep of the crowd.
* Limited Thrills for Older Kids: Aside from the haunted house, older children may find the general spook level a bit low, as the event leans more toward spell-binding fun than scares.
Overall
"Halloween at Old McDonald's Farm" is a cute outing for families with young children, offering a day filled with pumpkins, animals, and a fang-tastic seasonal atmosphere. Overall, it’s the purr-fect way for little ones to celebrate Halloween without too many chills—just lots of thrills!
Written 27 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.
WOW! Thank you so much for taking the time to share such an amazing, detailed 5-star review! We truly appreciate it and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Thank you, OMD
Written 27 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul S
Basildon, UK252 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
My rating of 3 out of 5 is made up of 4.5 for the farm and 1 for the food. We had a good day, arrived at opening time and we’re working our way around the farm and our 6 year was really enjoying it. We then decided to stop for food around 12, thinking it might not be too busy but the whole process was a shambles. We queued up outside as you can’t actually go in what was once the Café, we studied the menu of sadly only fast food for adults and a children’s menu of much the same plus a ‘Lunchbox’ which on the menu said “ Ham or Cheese Sandwich ( which underneath in small letters had half written) a drink, crisps and fruit or chocolate bar. Then after quite a wait because one of the tills went down we placed our order and waited at what was once the door with a number. 5 - 10 minutes go by and the queue lengthened, then a poor harassed looking lady appeared with some bags and called 11 ( I was 12) no answer, so she called 22 and 38 ?? Obviously no rhyme or reason to the orders, she then took them back, the queue lengthens more, another 10 minutes go by where she appears with a massive clutch of bags distributing them randomly with no order process. Eventually I get mine, so I opened the bag to check and the unappetising lukewarm warm food looked like it had been thrown in the bag but no Lunchbox. So after she finished I asked after it, then had to produce my receipt and off she went to get it.
This Lunchbox was an absolute disgrace, half a curly white bread sandwich with half a slice of the cheapest ham a bag of quavers, a very small drink and a vanilla wafer for I think £4.50 but I might be wrong. They should be ashamed of the quality of food and service. I wish I had taken pictures ! I wouldn’t return or recommend anyone eat there.
This Lunchbox was an absolute disgrace, half a curly white bread sandwich with half a slice of the cheapest ham a bag of quavers, a very small drink and a vanilla wafer for I think £4.50 but I might be wrong. They should be ashamed of the quality of food and service. I wish I had taken pictures ! I wouldn’t return or recommend anyone eat there.
Written 2 November 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 feedback. We're pleased to hear that your family enjoyed the farm; however, we’re sorry that the food service didn’t meet expectations and understand how frustrating the delays and quality issues were.
Please note that you’re also welcome to bring picnics with you, but your feedback will be shared with our team to help improve our food options and service process.
Thank you again, and we hope to welcome you back for a better experience. Best wishes, OMD
Written 3 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah T
41 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We visited for the Christmas event in December. The visit cost upwards of £80 for two adults and one child, which included some concessionary rates. With that price point we had high expectations which were not met. It was generally OK and not much to fault but not really much that made it special.
There were barely any animals there, we bought a bag of food but wasn't really able to use it as all the animal feeding tubes and stations had no animals in.
Entertainment was again OK, a bit amateur but OK, Christmas parade was nothing special.
Rides were good, we have a child with SEN. Initially we thought we wouldn't be able to go on the rides as there were queues that he couldn't have handled but after enquiring we were given a wristband which enabled us to fast track. The existence of these bands is a well kept secret and nowhere to be found on the website, although staff were well briefed once we had one.
Don't think we will be back as it simply wasn't value for money
There were barely any animals there, we bought a bag of food but wasn't really able to use it as all the animal feeding tubes and stations had no animals in.
Entertainment was again OK, a bit amateur but OK, Christmas parade was nothing special.
Rides were good, we have a child with SEN. Initially we thought we wouldn't be able to go on the rides as there were queues that he couldn't have handled but after enquiring we were given a wristband which enabled us to fast track. The existence of these bands is a well kept secret and nowhere to be found on the website, although staff were well briefed once we had one.
Don't think we will be back as it simply wasn't value for money
Written 30 December 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.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your recent visit to our Christmas event. We apologise for not meeting your expectations.
Due to challenging weather conditions, some animals had to be moved to indoor displays, and our birds were temporarily off-show following government guidelines on bird flu.
We're delighted your family enjoyed the rides, especially with the fast-tracking wristbands for your child. We regret any confusion about their availability not being prominently mentioned.
The cost of the entry is what we believe commercially is the price that represents our attraction, however, I am sorry to hear that your experience fell below what you were expecting. Nevertheless, we hope you will visit us again in the future. Best wishes, OMD
Written 31 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LoLorrie
Basildon, UK3 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We just visited today as a family of 5 (2 adults, a 5 year old and 16 month old twins). Cost us £59 and the twins were free. This place is so so expensive for what it actually offers. Some rides and a soft play is included, which was a bonus for our 5 year old. Not much seating available so we were stood around while she played on the soft play.
What was disappointing is that every animal is either behind high brick walls or picket type fence (with an electric fence behind that) which made it impossible for any baby/child in a pram to see the animals through. The gaps were small, so trying to get a baby/babies to see the animals through that gap was basically impossible. Our 5 year old was able to look through the fence but because it’s such a pain to see any animals, it really didn’t hold her attention very long. You can’t touch or hand feed any animals so it’s a real dull walk around.
Every hour there was a “pet an animal”‘ type experience. We did pony, gecko, Pygmy hedgehog and rabbits. You can’t hold them, just stroke them for a minute or so.
We did the Easter egg hunt, the children got a decent sized chocolate bar.
Food and drink super overpriced so definitely bring a picnic. £3 for a small bottle of drink, £3.50 for a whippy ice cream cone.
All in all, we wouldn’t visit again or recommend to our friends and family, purely because views to the animals are so restricted for the little ones. Couldn’t really feed or stroke the farm animals. It was basically £60 for a walk around some gravel paths, a soft play and a few outdoor play areas with a couple of rides thrown in for good measure.
What was disappointing is that every animal is either behind high brick walls or picket type fence (with an electric fence behind that) which made it impossible for any baby/child in a pram to see the animals through. The gaps were small, so trying to get a baby/babies to see the animals through that gap was basically impossible. Our 5 year old was able to look through the fence but because it’s such a pain to see any animals, it really didn’t hold her attention very long. You can’t touch or hand feed any animals so it’s a real dull walk around.
Every hour there was a “pet an animal”‘ type experience. We did pony, gecko, Pygmy hedgehog and rabbits. You can’t hold them, just stroke them for a minute or so.
We did the Easter egg hunt, the children got a decent sized chocolate bar.
Food and drink super overpriced so definitely bring a picnic. £3 for a small bottle of drink, £3.50 for a whippy ice cream cone.
All in all, we wouldn’t visit again or recommend to our friends and family, purely because views to the animals are so restricted for the little ones. Couldn’t really feed or stroke the farm animals. It was basically £60 for a walk around some gravel paths, a soft play and a few outdoor play areas with a couple of rides thrown in for good measure.
Written 13 April 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.
I'm so sorry to hear that we didn't meet your expectations. We are a small family run Business with a variety of animals, rides and other fun attractions across our whole site. We take great pride in our farm and it's important to us that all of our visitors have an enjoyable experience. We do try to be very clear about what we have for our visitors to see and do..
We are sorry to hear of your disappointment and also sorry that we have lost your custom. OMD
Written 14 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
leahahx
Brentwood, England, United Kingdom129 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Seasonal ticket holder so obviously I think the farm and parks are great. However I have to leave an average review as the price of stuff here is shocking. A bottle of water was £2.80!!!! I usually bring lunch and snacks but got caught out and could not believe they were charging this in a children’s farm. The food and generally all the drinks are expensive with no perks for being a seasonal pass holder. Most places offer some discount off food/drink. I doubt I’ll renew my pass will likely opt for Colchester Zoo which offer far more budget friendly option
Written 1 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 being a seasonal ticket holder and for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you think the farm and park are great!
We're sorry to learn that you found the pricing of food and drinks to be disappointing. Unfortunately, rising food costs have impacted us, and we've had to adjust our menu and pricing structure accordingly. However, you're always welcome to bring your own food and enjoy a picnic during your visit.
We appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you back again soon! Best wishes, OMD
Written 2 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ja P
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We went to The Christmas Journey at Old MacDonald’s Farm, and it was nothing short of magical! From the moment we arrived, the festive atmosphere was palpable, with twinkling lights, joyful music, and smiling staff ready to welcome us.
The kids were absolutely enchanted by the interactive gingerbread trail and meeting Santa, who was incredibly warm and engaging. The Christmas show and ice princess sing-along were delightful highlights, keeping both kids and adults entertained.
The entire experience was thoughtfully planned, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. It was heartwarming to see so many families making memories together.
We highly recommend The Christmas Journey for anyone looking to create unforgettable holiday moments with their loved ones. It’s the perfect mix of festive fun, creativity, and Christmas spirit. We can’t wait to visit again next year!
The kids were absolutely enchanted by the interactive gingerbread trail and meeting Santa, who was incredibly warm and engaging. The Christmas show and ice princess sing-along were delightful highlights, keeping both kids and adults entertained.
The entire experience was thoughtfully planned, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. It was heartwarming to see so many families making memories together.
We highly recommend The Christmas Journey for anyone looking to create unforgettable holiday moments with their loved ones. It’s the perfect mix of festive fun, creativity, and Christmas spirit. We can’t wait to visit again next year!
Written 13 December 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.
This is lovely! Thank you for taking the time to share your Christmas experience at OMD, and thank you for your recommendation.
We look forward to seeing you again next year.
Merry Xmas! OMD
Written 14 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Connie
Kent, UK128 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We visited during the summer holidays on a Sunday. Our group was made up for four adults, a four year old, five year old and 23 month old. All three kids had a great time.
All of the rides were included in the entry price and the only additional costs were coin operated games.
There are a variety of play parks which are ideal for a range of ages. There is also a sand area with digger equipment.
There are feeding stations for the animals. All of the animals we saw seemed happy, well looked after and there were signs informing guests that they had opportunity to roam larger parts of the farm in addition to the public facing enclosures. My only concern was the lack of staffing in the rabbit/guinea pig area. We were absolutely fine in there however later in the day I saw some older children moving the animals’ runs and little houses.
The food and drink are a little pricier than you would expect in a standard high street however considering it’s an attraction, it was reasonably priced. £12 for three trays of chips and £15 for four coffees. There were other meal options for kids such as burger and chips which was priced around £7.
Each toilet had a baby changing facility attached to it. Toilets were generally clean, as was the rest of the farm.
All in all, I would recommend OMF. It was a good day out and the children really enjoyed themselves.
All of the rides were included in the entry price and the only additional costs were coin operated games.
There are a variety of play parks which are ideal for a range of ages. There is also a sand area with digger equipment.
There are feeding stations for the animals. All of the animals we saw seemed happy, well looked after and there were signs informing guests that they had opportunity to roam larger parts of the farm in addition to the public facing enclosures. My only concern was the lack of staffing in the rabbit/guinea pig area. We were absolutely fine in there however later in the day I saw some older children moving the animals’ runs and little houses.
The food and drink are a little pricier than you would expect in a standard high street however considering it’s an attraction, it was reasonably priced. £12 for three trays of chips and £15 for four coffees. There were other meal options for kids such as burger and chips which was priced around £7.
Each toilet had a baby changing facility attached to it. Toilets were generally clean, as was the rest of the farm.
All in all, I would recommend OMF. It was a good day out and the children really enjoyed themselves.
Written 4 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 your detailed review! It's fantastic to hear that your group had a great time at OMD, and we appreciate your feedback. Thanks for your recommendation, and we hope to see you again soon. OMD
Written 5 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
M_Frah
Chatham, UK1 contribution
Aug 2023
My recent visit to OMD Farm turned out to be a significant disappointment, and I can't help but express my dissatisfaction. Initially, what struck me most were the exorbitant prices they charged. I couldn't help but wonder if they were attempting to deliberately overcharge their visitors.
Once I stepped inside the farm, I couldn't ignore the glaring lack of activities that justified the high cost of entry. It seemed as if they expected us to be content with a few farm animals and a leisurely stroll through unimpressive fields. Given the substantial sum I had paid, I had anticipated a far richer experience.
However, the most disheartening aspect of my visit was the deplorable condition of their games and machines. These contraptions appeared to be relics from a bygone era. Additionally, the parking situation was not any better, and it was poorly managed. It's worth noting that they have an overflow park, which seemed unknown to many visitors, as all the cars crowded and queued for a minimum of 15 minutes just to find a place in the front carpark.
Overall, my visit to OMD Farm was a complete waste of both time and money. I would strongly caution anyone contemplating a trip there to reconsider and preserve their hard-earned money for a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience elsewhere.
To compound the disappointment, it was painfully evident that adults received no value for their admission fee. There was absolutely nothing catering to adults, which could have been fair if the adult admission was free.
For those visiting with large families, like mine, the expenses quickly piled up. It felt like an extravagant expenditure with little to engage or amuse all together. I couldn't help but question why they charged the adult higher price when there was practically nothing to occupy or entertain us. All the rides and activities were designed exclusively for children.
Adding to the frustration, we discovered that even the activities specifically meant for kids sometimes required additional cash payments, such as playing small games or feeding the animals. It left me pondering what, exactly, we had initially paid for.
In conclusion, OMD Farm has missed the mark entirely in terms of providing an enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. It's an expensive venture that offers nothing more than antiquated amusements. Save your money and seek out a venue where both children and adults can genuinely relish their time.
Once I stepped inside the farm, I couldn't ignore the glaring lack of activities that justified the high cost of entry. It seemed as if they expected us to be content with a few farm animals and a leisurely stroll through unimpressive fields. Given the substantial sum I had paid, I had anticipated a far richer experience.
However, the most disheartening aspect of my visit was the deplorable condition of their games and machines. These contraptions appeared to be relics from a bygone era. Additionally, the parking situation was not any better, and it was poorly managed. It's worth noting that they have an overflow park, which seemed unknown to many visitors, as all the cars crowded and queued for a minimum of 15 minutes just to find a place in the front carpark.
Overall, my visit to OMD Farm was a complete waste of both time and money. I would strongly caution anyone contemplating a trip there to reconsider and preserve their hard-earned money for a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience elsewhere.
To compound the disappointment, it was painfully evident that adults received no value for their admission fee. There was absolutely nothing catering to adults, which could have been fair if the adult admission was free.
For those visiting with large families, like mine, the expenses quickly piled up. It felt like an extravagant expenditure with little to engage or amuse all together. I couldn't help but question why they charged the adult higher price when there was practically nothing to occupy or entertain us. All the rides and activities were designed exclusively for children.
Adding to the frustration, we discovered that even the activities specifically meant for kids sometimes required additional cash payments, such as playing small games or feeding the animals. It left me pondering what, exactly, we had initially paid for.
In conclusion, OMD Farm has missed the mark entirely in terms of providing an enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. It's an expensive venture that offers nothing more than antiquated amusements. Save your money and seek out a venue where both children and adults can genuinely relish their time.
Written 26 August 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.
We are sorry to read this review as we strive to provide nothing but a positive experience for our guests.
We are a small family run Business and we strive hard to provide an enjoyable learning experience for everybody with a variety of animals, rides and other fun attractions across our whole site.
The cost of the entry is what we believe commercially is the price that represents our attraction. Other than a handful of coin operated 'ride-on machines', all attractions are free to use with unlimited rides. We do try to be very clear about what we have for our visitors to see and do, nevertheless we are sorry to hear of your disappointment. OMD
Written 28 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've booked the wrong date but there doesn't seem to be an option to adjust the date. Has any one been able to do this before? I know they have a no refund policy but note sure on changing the dates
Written 1 February 2023
Is it possible to access your car and re enter the farm? Thanks!!
Written 25 October 2021
Yes
Just mention it to the reception.
Written 26 October 2021
My child is 7 years-old, is he too old for the farm?
Can we take food from home?
Is the car park free?
Thanks .
Written 9 August 2020
The car park is free yes you can take food from home and I took my then 7 year old nephew and he loved it cos there are rides a soft play area and not just the animals
I hope this helps
Written 10 August 2020
Anyone had a party there for a toddler? Experience please?
Written 2 December 2019
We did not have a party but surely think it would have been a good venue for toddlers especially if you live nearby
Written 2 December 2019
Lucy Lulu S
Harwich, United Kingdom
How much is it for a child who is on dla and also how much would I pay
Written 31 August 2019
Prices vary, depending on when you go. It is cheaper in the afternoon. Prices for children aged 2-15 start from £8. Best to phone them.
Written 1 September 2019
Do they do horse or pony rides at the farm? Cheers.
Written 18 August 2019
I was there in spring, there was no horse or pony riding
Written 18 August 2019
Do you pay for a 1 year old
Written 18 June 2019
Is there enough to keep two toddlers entertained on a rainy day?
Written 11 June 2019
As you are paying entry for adults and children I would not recommend for a rainy day as so much more to enjoy at the park if dry
Written 12 June 2019
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