Meet the Creator
Derby
Our Arrival & First Impressions
We're the Carnellys — a fun-loving family of three from Derby. I'm Kelly, and on 8th January 2024 my 4-year-old son Felix and I visited one of our favourite places — National Forest Adventure Farm in Burton-upon-Trent — for their January Farm Fun event. This wasn't our first time; we've visited multiple times a year since post-lockdown 2020. But when I saw the weather was dry and tickets were just £9.95 each plus a small booking fee, I booked online less than 24 hours in advance. It's fantastic value all year round, but this was probably the best price we've ever paid.
We arrived to a warm welcome — our QR code was scanned, a map handed over, and our bag of animal feed (just £1) was ready to go. As a parent taking a solo trip with a young child, I felt safe and confident at every stage. The site is clean, secure, and always staffed with friendly, helpful team members. Felix could barely contain his excitement as he spotted the entrance to Scarecrow Joe's Adventure Play, and before I could even check the map, he was off — making a beeline straight for one of the biggest indoor soft play areas I've ever seen.
Activities Breakdown
The sheer variety of activities at National Forest Adventure Farm is what keeps us coming back. Felix bounced between massive slides, rope swings, and climbing zones in Scarecrow Joe's Adventure Play, then we headed outside for the Barrel Stampede tractor ride, Jurassic Cove sandpit, bouncing pillow trampolines, Go Karts, Farmula One electric cars, the Musical Maze, and the pirate ship playground. Post-lunch we fed goats and cows in the animal barn and explored the JCB Zone. There's a brilliant mix of indoor and outdoor activities, meaning whatever the weather there's always plenty to do. Being a cold January Sunday, it was wonderfully quiet — Felix had free reign of almost everything.
- 1
Scarecrow Joe's Adventure Play
One of the biggest indoor soft play areas I've ever seen — massive slides, rope swings, climbing zones, and a separate under-5s area for younger or more nervous kids. Felix was in his absolute element and would have stayed all day if we'd let him. There's also a creative Brick Works section for quieter play. - 2
Barrel Stampede Tractor Ride
A tractor-pulled barrel ride that was a huge hit with Felix. We prised him away from the soft play with the promise of this ride, and it absolutely delivered. A fun, bumpy adventure around the farm that had him giggling the whole way — one of those classic farm experiences kids adore. - 3
Animal Feeding in the Barn
For just £1 for a bag of animal feed, Felix got to feed goats and cows in the animal barn. The up-close animal encounters are brilliant for young children — Felix was fascinated and gentle with the animals. A lovely, hands-on experience that you don't always get at bigger attractions. - 4
Bouncy Pillow Trampolines
The Little Bouncer and Big Bouncer pillow trampolines had Felix bouncing non-stop with the biggest grin on his face. They're a perfect energy burner and one of those activities kids naturally gravitate towards. Great fun whether your little one is cautious or a total daredevil. - 5
Jurassic Cove Sandpit
A giant sandpit filled with buckets, spades, and toy diggers that kept Felix happily digging away. It's the kind of simple, creative play that young children absolutely love, and on a quieter day like ours he had the whole cove practically to himself. - 6
Go Karts & Musical Maze
Felix loved steering his way around the Go Kart track and finding his way through the Musical Maze. The variety of activities across the farm means there's always something new to discover, and the mix of physical, creative, and sensory play keeps kids engaged all day long.
Food & Drink
We packed sandwiches for lunch but grabbed some hot extras inside Scarecrow Joe's Restaurant. Meals ranged from £5.95–£9.95 for adults and £4.95 for kids, with the usual choices like sausage, chicken goujons, and chips. We bought a portion of chips (£3), crisps, a gingerbread, a Diet Coke, and a slush drink for Felix — all for just £11.30. The food was hot, fresh, and decent value.
There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. While the outdoor picnic benches are great for warmer months, we were grateful for the cosy indoor option this time. The soft play and café are combined in the same building, which is perfect — I could enjoy a drink while keeping an eye on Felix climbing, sliding, and swinging away. It's the kind of set-up every parent dreams of.
The site is completely cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment. And if your little one loves the soft play, birthday party bookings are also available. Overall, the food offering strikes a good balance between bringing your own and buying on-site — the prices are reasonable and the quality is solid for a farm attraction.
Money-Saving Tip
At just £9.95 per ticket for the January event, this is one of the best-value family days out we've found — and almost everything is included in the price. Bring a packed lunch to keep costs even lower, then top up with hot snacks on-site. A bag of animal feed is only £1. Book online less than 24 hours in advance for the best prices, and check for off-peak events which offer even better value than peak season.
Pros & Cons Summary
What We Loved
Huge indoor soft play area at Scarecrow Joe's — one of the biggest we've seen, with separate under-5s and creative zones.- The Barrel Stampede tractor ride is a classic farm experience that kids absolutely love.
- Hands-on animal feeding in the barn for just £1 — brilliant for young children to get up close with goats and cows.
- Outstanding value for money — £9.95 per ticket with almost everything included in the price.
- Brilliant mix of indoor and outdoor activities meaning there's always something to do whatever the weather.
- The café and soft play share the same building — perfect for parents who want a drink while watching the kids play.
- Clean, safe, and well-maintained throughout with plenty of handwash stations including child-friendly sinks.
- Friendly, helpful staff at every stage — as a solo parent with a young child, I felt confident and secure.
- QR code map gives real-time updates on daily events and activity timings so you don't miss anything.
- Short drive from Derby with straightforward parking — no stress getting there or leaving.
Could Be Better
It's a working farm so it can get very muddy — waterproof shoes and old clothes are essential, especially in winter.- The soft play area can get very busy during peak times and school holidays.
- Farmula One electric cars cost extra on top of the entry price, which adds up.
- The site is completely cashless — make sure you bring a card or mobile payment.
- Some outdoor activities are weather-dependent, so rainy days limit the options despite the excellent indoor facilities.
Overall Verdict & Ratings
Everything was clean and well-maintained, from the indoor play area to the animal barn. Lots of handwash stations too, including child-friendly sinks. As a solo parent with a young child, I felt safe and confident at every stage.
From Go Karts and bouncing pillows to tractor rides and soft play, the variety was outstanding for both indoor and outdoor fun. There's so much included in the entry price that you could easily spend the entire day without running out of things to do.
We brought a packed lunch but topped up with tasty hot food at reasonable prices. The café and soft play sharing the same building is a brilliant set-up for parents. Food quality was solid and portions were good — all for just £11.30 for our extras.
Being a cold January Sunday, it was beautifully quiet — no waiting anywhere, and Felix had free reign of most activities. Even during busier periods this farm handles crowds well, but off-peak visits are the sweet spot.
Felix gave it his coveted 'Thumbs Up' and we both left buzzing with joy (and ready for a nap!). The sheer variety of activities meant there was always something new to discover, and his giggles were non-stop from start to finish.
At just over £11 for entry plus a few extras, this is one of the best-value family days out we've found. So much is included in the ticket price — soft play, tractor rides, animal encounters, Go Karts, trampolines, and more. Incredible.
The Final Verdict:
There's something incredibly special about seeing your little one light up with unbridled joy, and that's exactly what happened during our visit. Felix was in his element, from racing down slides in the vast indoor play area to steering his way through the Musical Maze. His giggles during the bouncy pillow trampolines and sheer delight on the Barrel Stampede tractor ride were infectious. The farm's layout makes it easy to relax while keeping an eye on the little ones, which is always a bonus. For me, the day felt like a perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty. I cherished the moments of calm in the café with a hot drink, watching Felix navigate his own little world of play. Despite a bit of mud, our spirits weren't dampened — in fact, the splashes just added to the fun! We left with full hearts, a few souvenirs, and a promise to return soon. National Forest Adventure Farm consistently delivers outstanding value, brilliant variety, and genuine joy for young families. If you're searching for a family adventure that's good value and packed with smiles, this is absolutely the place to be. Felix is already asking when we're going back!
"We set off for a delightful day filled with fun and laughter. From epic indoor play adventures to tractor rides and animal encounters, every moment was a joy! Felix gave his 'Thumbs Up,' making it another memorable outing for us."Kelly Carnelly
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