If you’ve been searching for a brilliant family day out in Cheshire, The Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall is hard to beat. With over 50 flavours of award-winning ice cream, a world-record-breaking ice cream shop, and a whole host of play attractions for kids of all ages, it’s the kind of place that has families coming back year after year!
But before you visit, there’s one thing worth getting your head around: the Weigh & Play experience. It’s a flexible, pay-as-you-go approach to the attractions on site, and once you understand how it works, it’s actually a really smart way to do a day out. No more paying a huge upfront fee for rides your kids won’t want to go on!
TL;DR: You pay a low entry ticket (from £2.50 per child), which includes parking and free play in Daisy’s Garden. Then you only pay for the extra attractions your kids actually want to try, either individually at £4.50 per play, or in a discounted bundle with a Play Pass.
Read on for everything you need to know about The Ice Cream Farm in 2026, including prices, what’s included, and our top tips for making the most of your visit!
What Is Weigh & Play at The Ice Cream Farm?
Weigh & Play is The Ice Cream Farm’s approach to ticketing and play, and it’s quite different from a traditional all-inclusive attraction. Rather than paying one fixed price for everything, you pay a small entry fee to get onto the site, and then choose which extra attractions to add on during your visit.
Think of it like a pick-and-mix day out! Your kids decide what they want to do, and you only pay for those things. It’s a genuinely flexible model that works really well for families with mixed ages or different interests.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
- Buy your Entry Ticket online or at the gate. This covers parking and unlimited access to Daisy’s Garden outdoor play area.
- Explore Daisy’s Garden for free. There are swings, climbing frames, balancing beams, and mini trampolines included with entry.
- Choose your extra attractions. Each additional play area (soft play, adventure golf, bouncy pillows, and more) costs one play credit to enter.
- Pay as you go or buy a Play Pass. You can pay £4.50 per play at each attraction’s gate, or save money by buying a Play Pass bundle in advance.
The key thing to know: Play Pass credits are only needed for children. Adults don’t need play credits to accompany their little ones into the paid attractions!
The Ice Cream Farm Ticket Prices 2026
Entry tickets are brilliantly affordable, especially compared to many big-name attractions. Here’s the current pricing breakdown:
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Child (aged 4-13) | £2.50 |
| Adult (aged 13+) | £2.50 |
| Babies & Toddlers (0-1) | Free |
| Late Afternoon Pass | Reduced rate (check site) |
Every entry ticket includes: free parking, unlimited play in Daisy’s Garden, and access to the site including the ice cream shop, the Ice Cream Drive In, and farm animals.
Always check The Ice Cream Farm’s official website before you visit, as prices and availability can vary by season.
The Play Pass: Is It Worth It?
Once you’re inside, the additional attractions each cost £4.50 per play, per child. That’s the gate price if you pay as you go. The Play Pass bundles offer a discount on that standard rate:
| Play Pass | Total Plays | Cost | Saving vs Gate Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Play Pass | 5 plays | £17.50 | Save £5 |
| 10 Play Pass | 10 plays | £35.00 | Save £10 |
| 20 Play Pass | 20 plays | £60.00 | Save £30 |
Our verdict: If you have two or more children who are likely to try four or more attractions each, a Play Pass is absolutely worth it. The 20-play bundle in particular offers excellent value for larger families or return visitors, especially as unused credits are valid for 24 months and can be shared between children!
You don’t have to buy a Play Pass before your visit either. You can pick one up at the welcome desk or at any of the paid attractions on the day.
What’s Included With Your Entry Ticket?
Even before you spend a single extra penny, there’s plenty to enjoy at The Ice Cream Farm. Here’s what comes with your entry ticket as standard:
Daisy’s Garden (Free with Entry)
Daisy’s Garden is the outdoor play area included with every ticket, and it’s a lovely space for younger children in particular. It features:
- Swings and slides
- Balancing beams
- Climbing frames
- Mini trampolines
It’s a great place to let the little ones burn off some energy while you figure out which paid attractions to try next!
The Ice Cream Drive In (Free to Enter)
The Ice Cream Drive In is free to enter and is home to The Ice Cream Farm’s small collection of farm animals. It’s a lovely, low-key spot where kids can spot the animals while you wait for your ice cream to be delivered by electric golf buggy. Yes, really!
The World’s Largest Ice Cream Shop
Entry to the ice cream shop is included with your ticket, and it’s quite the spectacle. With over 50 flavours of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream across an 851 m² shop floor, it holds the record for the world’s largest ice cream shop. From classic strawberry and vanilla to Biscoffi, Nut’ella, and bubblegum, there’s something for every taste. Vegan and non-dairy options are available too!
Expect to pay around £5.50 for a two-scoop cone, with toppings and sauces available as extras. You can also take the taste home with 500ml and 1L tubs from The Impulse Emporium gift shop.
The Paid Attractions: What Can You Do With a Play Pass?
This is where the Weigh & Play model really shines! There’s a brilliant range of paid attractions on site, each costing one play credit (or £4.50 pay-as-you-go). Here’s a rundown of what’s available:
Indoor Attractions
- Fun Factory Soft Play – A multi-level soft play area perfect for younger children, with slides, tunnels, and climbing sections.
- Honeycomb Canyon – Europe’s largest indoor sand and water play area! An innovative wet play zone all about exploring the movement of water. Bring a change of clothes for this one!
- The Loft – An upstairs gaming arcade for children aged 7 and over. Note: The Loft is not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair as there is no lift.
Outdoor Attractions
- Strawberry Falls Adventure Golf – A mini golf course featuring a dramatic giant red waterfall. Great fun for all ages!
- Marshmallow Mound Bouncy Pillows – Giant outdoor bouncy pillows that kids absolutely love.
- Gemstone Cone – A gem-digging activity where children can search for precious treasures. A big hit with curious little ones!
- Ride-On Tractors and Cars – These operate on a separate contactless payment of £2, rather than a play credit.
- Sit-On Diggers – Also £2 per go via contactless payment, separate from the Play Pass system.
A Note on Weather-Dependent Attractions
Some outdoor attractions at The Ice Cream Farm are weather dependent, so it’s worth having a backup plan if you’re visiting during unpredictable British weather! The indoor options (soft play, Honeycomb Canyon, The Loft) mean there’s always plenty to do whatever the forecast says.
Bear with us here! The Loft is occasionally closed for exclusive-use birthday parties, so it’s worth checking ahead if that’s a must-do for your visit.
Opening Times and How to Get There
Opening Times
The Ice Cream Farm is open daily from 9:30am, making it a great choice for an early start to the day. The site closes at 5pm (with some listings showing 6pm, so always check the official website before you travel).
The attraction closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Some seasonal variations apply, and SEN Sessions take place on specific dates when the site is closed to the general public and open exclusively to SEN children and their families.
Always check the website for the most up-to-date opening hours, as times can vary seasonally and some attractions may have different hours to the main site.
Getting There
The Ice Cream Farm is located at:
Drumlan Hall Farm, Newton Lane, Newton-by-Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 9NE
- By car: Free on-site parking is included with your entry ticket. It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from Chester city centre.
- By bus: Buses from Chester travel to the nearby village of Tattenhall along the A41, from where it’s about a 15-minute walk.
- By bike: The canal path is a popular cycling route, taking around 45 minutes from Chester.
- By barge: The farm is just across the car park from Tattenhall Marina!
Do You Need to Pre-Book?
Pre-booking is strongly recommended, particularly at weekends and during school holidays. Tickets can be purchased in advance via The Ice Cream Farm’s website. While walk-up tickets are sometimes available, securing your spot ahead of time means you won’t be disappointed on arrival.
Food, Facilities and Family Essentials
Food and Drink
There’s no shortage of food options at The Ice Cream Farm, with several outlets catering to different appetites and budgets:
- Sticky Paws – The main on-site restaurant, serving burgers, fries, sausage rolls, hot dogs, pizza, jacket potatoes, and pasta.
- The Pit Stop – A quick-bite option for families who don’t want to stop for a full sit-down meal. Snacks, drinks, and lighter bites available.
- Pizza Piazza / Sticky Paws Goes Outside – Seasonal pop-ups during summer months with burgers, fries, and pizza.
Budget tip: Families are welcome to bring their own food and eat on site, which is a great way to keep costs down. A typical family of four spending on food and drinks on site can expect to pay around £35.
Facilities
The Ice Cream Farm is well set up for families, with a strong range of on-site facilities:
- Free on-site parking (included with entry)
- Toilets and accessible toilets (including an adult hoist and changing table)
- Baby changing facilities
- Wheelchair-friendly site (with the exception of The Loft, which is upstairs with no lift access)
- Wheelchair hire available on site (£20 per rental)
- Pushchair-friendly throughout
- Free Wi-Fi
- Gift shop (The Impulse Emporium)
- Card payments accepted
Carers go free! The Ice Cream Farm offers a free Carer entry ticket with every paid entry ticket purchased. Check the terms and conditions on their website for full details.
Our Top Tips for Visiting The Ice Cream Farm in 2026
Ready to plan your visit? Here are our top tips to make the most of your day:
- Pre-book your entry tickets. Especially during school holidays and weekends, tickets can sell out. Booking online in advance is the safest bet.
- Pack a change of clothes. Honeycomb Canyon is a water play area, and kids will almost certainly get wet. A dry set of clothes in the bag is a must!
- Arrive early. The farm opens at 9:30am and popular attractions can get busy as the day goes on. An early start means shorter queues and more time to enjoy everything.
- Buy a Play Pass if you have two or more children. The savings add up quickly, especially with the 10 or 20 play bundles. Remember, credits are valid for 24 months and shareable between kids.
- Check the weather forecast. Some outdoor attractions are weather dependent. If rain is likely, lean into the indoor options: Fun Factory, Honeycomb Canyon, and The Loft are all great wet-weather choices.
- Don’t forget the ice cream! It sounds obvious, but with so much going on it’s easy to get swept up in the play areas. Leave time to properly explore the world’s largest ice cream shop. With over 50 flavours, choosing just one scoop is the real challenge!
- Check for SEN Sessions. If you have a child with additional needs, The Ice Cream Farm runs dedicated monthly SEN Sessions at reduced capacity. Check the website for upcoming dates.
Typical visit time is 3 to 4 hours, so it’s a great half-day or full-day out depending on how many attractions you want to try.
Is The Ice Cream Farm Worth It?
Absolutely, yes! The Weigh & Play model is one of the things that makes The Ice Cream Farm stand out from other family attractions. With entry tickets starting from just £2.50 per person and free parking included, the base cost of a visit is remarkably low. You’re in control of how much you spend beyond that.
For a family of four with two children, a typical day out might look something like this:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 x adult entry | £5.00 |
| 2 x child entry | £5.00 |
| 10 Play Pass (shared between 2 kids) | £35.00 |
| Ice cream (family of 4) | ~£22.00 |
| Food and drinks | ~£35.00 |
| Estimated total | ~£102.00 |
That’s a full day out with ice cream, food, and ten play attractions between two children for around £100 for a family of four. Compared to the cost of most theme parks or major UK attractions, that’s genuinely excellent value.
It’s a popular destination for a reason! The combination of world-class ice cream, flexible play, and a relaxed family atmosphere makes The Ice Cream Farm one of the most-loved days out in Cheshire. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, primary school-age children, or a mix of ages, there’s something for everyone here.
Ready to plan your trip? Check out The Ice Cream Farm on Day Out With The Kids for the latest information, or head to The Ice Cream Farm’s official website to book your tickets today!