Remember the relatively recent post when we visited Jimmy’s Farm, only to discover even the overflow park was virtually full? We did say we’d return after those pesky kids had returned to their schools after their long summer break. So we did, quickly establishing that it was not quite as busy but still well attended, based on the number of cars already in the car park. And I should say at the outset that although it was £20 to get in, it was indeed worth every single shekel.
I won’t go on at length about the history and ethos of the Farm – you can of course go to the Farm website if you feel so inclined. We just decided to wander the site and soon realised it was fairly intuitive to get round without too much trouble. It is of course now primarily a Wildlife Park of course and you are never too old to learn – we were very pleasantly surprised by an attraction this close to our stomping ground. The scale and the variety of animals were both astounding and the efforts on conservation appeared comprehensive. It’s come a long way since the enterprise started over twenty years ago. It’s now home to everything from pigs to polar bears and the park is a centre of excellence for British rare breeds as well as home to camels, primates, tapir and crocodiles amongst other animals.
You can visit the The Lost Lands of the Tundra – home to rescued polar bear Ewa, Arctic Foxes and the UK’s largest pack of Arctic Wolves. The reserve (the largest in Europe) was built with Born Free’s recommendations and world experts in polar bear care and behaviour to ensure the reserve meets the highest standards of welfare, features grassy plains, lakes fed from natural springs and a large area of woodland. I am certainly not remotely qualified to comment on the efficacy of the project, but I did notice that throughout the park every type of animal appeared to be placed in a habitat that mimicked what would have been their natural surroundings. Given that both the polar bear itself and the Tundra is now one of the most vulnerable habitats on planet earth I’m prepared to be persuaded!
We also decided to have a late lunch at the Barn Restaurant & Coffee House, which wasn’t cheap but, woah, the portion size. Mrs. No Name’s ‘Hot’ Smoked Salmon Niçoise was enormous and we’ve never seen so much salmon on one plate. Downside was of course there was sadly no room for dessert.
We thought the whole visit was delightful, we would definitely return and, as I say, the entrance fee was entirely realistic given the scale and upkeep required, along with what appeared to an all round genuine concern for the welfare of the animals. My only concern was only having my phone with me, hence the poor quality of collages I am ashamed to have to share but needs must.