If you’re searching for an adventure farm with indoor play that can genuinely fill an entire day whatever the weather throws at you, National Forest Adventure Farm in Staffordshire is hard to beat. Tucked away in Tatenhill near Burton upon Trent, this family-run attraction has grown from a simple maize maze back in 2004 into one of the Midlands’ most-loved days out for families with children of all ages.
TL;DR: A 3,000m² indoor soft play barn, hands-on animal encounters, go-karts, jumping pillows, tractor rides, and seasonal events, all wrapped up in one ticket from £15.95. Plan around 4 to 5 hours and book in advance via Day Out With The Kids to get the best price.
What makes it stand out is the combination. You get the full farm experience with real animal encounters alongside a genuinely huge indoor play area, so if the heavens open, the fun doesn’t stop. Families consistently rate it as a place where the day just keeps going, with kids reluctant to leave even after hours of running around.
Whether you’re planning a trip for Easter, a summer holiday visit, or just looking for a brilliant rainy-day option in the Midlands, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
The Indoor Soft Play: Why It’s the Star of the Show
The indoor soft play barn at National Forest Adventure Farm is genuinely impressive. At 3,000m², it’s the kind of space that gives kids room to properly explore rather than just queue for a single slide, and it’s the main reason this attraction works so well as an all-weather day out.
What’s Inside the Playbarn
The centrepiece is a multi-level soft play structure with three towering slides, including a demon drop that older children absolutely love. There’s plenty of climbing, crawling, and scrambling to keep energetic kids busy for a long stretch.
For younger children, there’s a dedicated under-5s area that includes:
- A ball pit sized just right for little ones
- A giant Lego construction zone
- Softer, lower-level play equipment so toddlers can join in safely
Parents get a proper break here. The seating area alongside the play barn is comfortable, and the Farmhouse Kitchen is located right next to it, so you can grab a coffee and keep an eye on the kids at the same time. It’s one of those rare setups where parents aren’t just tolerating the visit.
When the Weather Turns
This is the real value of the indoor play area. On a wet day at most farms, your options shrink fast. At National Forest Adventure Farm, bad weather barely changes the plan. The playbarn is large enough to absorb a busy crowd without feeling cramped, and with the animal encounters and food options also under cover or close by, you can have a full day without setting foot in a puddle if you don’t want to.
Bear with us here! Even on a sunny day, many families find themselves spending a good chunk of time inside simply because the kids refuse to leave the slides.
Animal Encounters: Meet the Farm Residents
The animals are a genuine highlight, not just a quick walk-past. National Forest Adventure Farm has a strong mix of familiar farmyard favourites and some more unexpected residents, and the daily activity schedule means there’s always something interactive happening.
Who You’ll Meet
| Animal | Encounter Type |
|---|---|
| Pigs, sheep, cows, goats | Meet and feed in the paddocks |
| Rabbits and guinea pigs | Cuddle and handle sessions |
| Alpacas and reindeer | Up-close viewing and feeding |
| Chipmunks | Viewing enclosures |
| Lambs (spring/summer) | Bottle feeding available |
| Ponies | Grooming sessions |
The daily activity programme adds real structure to the animal side of the visit. Look out for:
- Pony grooming sessions (check the daily schedule on arrival)
- Milking demonstrations
- Egg collecting
These aren’t just passive viewing experiences. Kids get properly involved, which makes the animal encounters feel different from a standard zoo visit.
It’s a popular destination for a reason! The guinea pig cuddle sessions in particular are consistently mentioned by families as a highlight for younger children, who often end up spending far longer with the animals than anyone planned.
One thing to note: animal feed is an additional charge on top of your entry ticket. It’s not expensive, but worth budgeting for if you have enthusiastic little ones who’ll want to feed everything in sight.
Outdoor Adventure: The Funfield and Beyond
When the sun does come out, the outdoor Funfield gives you a completely different side of the farm to explore. There’s a solid range of activities here that suit children across a wide age range, from toddlers on the gentler play equipment to older kids who want a proper challenge.
What’s Out There
- Jumping pillows for bouncing to impressive heights
- Go-kart tracks for racing around at speed
- Jurassic Canyon sand play area, a dino-themed dig zone that kids absolutely love
- Assault course for testing agility and bravery
- Secret garden adventure golf winding through the greenery
- Tractor and trailer rides around the farm (spot the scarecrows!)
- Water Splash Out (summer only)
The tractor ride is worth flagging separately. It’s a proper bumpy tour around the farm, seats up to 30 people, and is included in your ticket price. It’s a lovely way to see more of the site and give little legs a rest. Do note that pushchairs and wheelchairs can’t be accommodated on the standard trailer, though a wheelchair-accessible ride can be arranged by calling ahead on 01283 533 933.
In summer, the farm also opens its 10-acre maize maze, with 3 miles of pathways, bridges, and viewing towers. It’s a proper challenge for the whole family and one of the biggest mazes in the region.
The outdoor areas are genuinely extensive. Most families find that even after a couple of hours inside, there’s still plenty of outdoor adventure left to fill the afternoon.
Seasonal Events: Something New Every Visit
National Forest Adventure Farm operates as an events-based attraction, which means the experience changes throughout the year. Your ticket always includes access to the full site, but each seasonal event adds its own themed layer on top.
| Event | Season |
|---|---|
| Easter Eggstravaganza | Spring (Easter holidays) |
| Farmarama | Summer |
| Screamfest | Autumn/Halloween (evening event) |
| North Pole Adventure | Christmas |
| Pumpkin Village | October |
This is one of the reasons so many families return multiple times. The core farm experience stays consistent, but the seasonal theming keeps things feeling fresh. The Easter Eggstravaganza and North Pole Adventure in particular are hugely popular, so booking early is strongly advised for those events.
Think you’ve seen everything there is to see? Think again! Families who visit in summer often come back at Halloween or Christmas and find it feels like a completely different place.
Tickets, Prices, and Opening Times
Getting the booking right makes a real difference here. Pre-booking is strongly recommended, both for availability and price.
Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | From £7.00 |
| Child (age 2-17) | From £7.00 |
| Babies and toddlers (0-2) | Free |
| Full day tickets | From £15.95 |
Prices vary depending on the event and date, so the best approach is to check current availability and book via Day Out With The Kids, where best prices are guaranteed and checked daily. You’ll get your e-tickets straight to your inbox, no printing needed, and you can head straight to the fun on arrival.
Opening Times
The farm is open daily from 10:00am, with closing times varying between 4:00pm and 5:00pm depending on the event. Always check the specific dates and times for your planned visit before you go, as the farm operates on a seasonal events calendar rather than year-round open days.
What’s Included in Your Ticket
Your entry covers:
- Free parking
- Access to the outdoor adventure zone
- Meeting the resident farm animals
- Access to the indoor soft play area
- Tractor and trailer rides
Not included: animal feed (small additional charge) and the Mega Slide Mountain.
The site is cashless, so card payments only on the day.
Food, Facilities, and Getting There
Food and Drink
The Farmhouse Kitchen is the main on-site restaurant, located right next to the indoor soft play area. The menu is cooked fresh on site daily and is designed with variety in mind, covering vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options. For a typical family of four, budget around £28 for food and drink on the day.
There’s also a Pizza and Ice Cream Parlour that opens on a weather-dependent basis, which is a nice bonus on a sunny afternoon.
Families are welcome to bring their own picnics, with benches and covered areas dotted around the site. You just can’t eat packed lunches inside the Farmhouse Kitchen and soft play area.
Facilities
The farm is well set up for families with babies and young children:
- Baby changing facilities and a dedicated breastfeeding room
- Accessible toilets and a Changing Places room with adult-sized changing bed and hoist (collect key from the front entrance)
- Free on-site parking with 16 Blue Badge spaces close to the main entrance
- Free WiFi throughout
- Gift shop
Getting There
By car: The farm is at Postern Road, Tatenhill, Burton upon Trent, DE13 9SJ. It’s easy to reach from the A38 and A50, close to Burton upon Trent.
By public transport: The nearest train station is Burton-on-Trent (2.7 miles away, taxis available). The number 10 Diamond bus runs from Burton town centre and the railway station, stopping at the Acorn Inn on Henhurst Hill, which is 0.4 miles from the farm entrance.
You can find full details and plan your visit on the National Forest Adventure Farm attraction page.
Is National Forest Adventure Farm Worth It?
Honestly? It’s one of the best-value adventure farm days out in the Midlands. The combination of a massive adventure farm indoor play area, proper hands-on animal encounters, and a full outdoor adventure zone in a single ticket is hard to find elsewhere in the region.
It works especially well for:
- Mixed-age families where toddlers and older children need different things
- Rainy-day trips where you need a reliable indoor backup
- Repeat visitors who want a different experience each season
- Families who want value without paying extra for every single activity
The typical visit runs to 4 or 5 hours, but plenty of families stay longer. The day doesn’t feel rushed, and with the seasonal events calendar, there’s always a reason to come back.
Ready to plan your visit? Book your National Forest Adventure Farm tickets via Day Out With The Kids for the best available price, instant e-tickets, and no queues on the day.