As we found out on our day trip to Bocketts Farm in Surrey, some pigs really do fly! Pig racing is one of the highlights of a visit to the farm and perfect entertainment for our mixed aged group: a granny, me and four children aged between 8 and six months. We made our way to the race track and chose our pig, Lester Piglet. We eagerly waited for the door of the sty to open. The six pigs raced round the track, cheered on by their backers, to where their food was waiting on the finishing line. Josh, the 8-year-old, ran round the outside of the track while the pigs were racing and met them at the finish. To our complete delight, Lester Piglet won, no doubt fate bowing to his namesake’s success at numerous local Derbys.

Bocketts Farm is a working family farm set in beautiful countryside on the slopes of the North Downs in Surrey. There is so much for the visitor to do that you can spend the whole day here. When you buy tickets to the farm, you can also purchase food pellets, which is a must, as the kids love feeding the animals. The main barn is full of all types of domestic farm animals, including lambs, pigs, sheep, goats, cows, donkeys and horses. We arrived in prime lambing season and saw around ten lambs that had been born in the last couple of days. Lambing, shearing, haymaking and the harvest punctuate the farming year at Bocketts and with the births of lambs, goat kids, calves, piglets, foals, chicks, ducklings and goslings throughout the year, there are always one or two baby animals to see.

There is a noticeboard in the main barn, which gives details and times of the activities on that day: animal handling, goat milking and pony rides at certain times around which you can plan your picnic and time in the activity barns. The animal handling session was very popular with the younger girls as they got to stroke and learn about the rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils at the farm.

From here, the girls spied the face-painting. A few minutes later a tiger and a couple of princesses emerged with beaming smiles. There are lots of other ways to keep the children entertained. There is a big outdoor play area with Wendy houses, sandpits, swings, slides and climbing; and a couple of indoor play barns. One barn has been made into a 3-D maze and suitable for children over about 7; the other play barn had a giant astroslide which they could all enjoy. Aside from the 25 acres of paddocks with every variety of animal, there are also picnic areas, an 18th century barn which has been converted into tea rooms and gift shop. Seasonal farm produce, such as lavender, courgettes, sweetcorn, sunflowers and pumpkins, is sometimes available to buy.

Opening Times: 10.00am -6pm (or dusk).

Bocketts Farm Park, Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead. Surrey KT22 9BS

01372 363764