Dairyland Farm World, Newquay review

Still good fun for: Children 9 to 12 - they might not be so excited by the animals and tractor rides, but they’ll burn off energy on the assault course and Bull Pen Adventure Zone

What’s Dairyland Farm World like since Covid-19?

• Lower capacity limits in certain areas with queue lines and social distancing marking
• Some team members who will be meeting visitors will be wearing PPE
• Enhanced cleaning regimes at high-frequency touchpoints
• Hand sanitiser and washing stations throughout the Park
• A face mask, unless exempt, is required when in any building or covered area or when requested to do so by a member of staff
• The Farmhouse Kitchen will be open and have both indoor and outdoor seating. Plus, a take-away menu with outdoor picnic areas around the Park

Areas/Activities closed for the moment include:

• Tractor Rides

How much does it cost?

• Day prices: Adults £13.95, children over 80cm £11.95, under 80cm free
• Family saver tickets: Family of 3 £38, Family of 4 £44, Family of 5 £50
• If you pay full admission you get unlimited entry within 7 days

Are there discounts or cheap tickets available for Dairyland?

If you live locally, there are annual passes: Family £155, Individual £50.

Any extra charges once I’m there?

Yes, a few of the attractions have an extra fee. Not much, but they can mount up.

• Pony rides £3 each
• Tractor ride £1 for visitors over 80cm
• Animal feed 50p, Pig feed 20p

How long will we spend at Dairyland?

We arrived at about 11 and left at 4 and our children were desperate to stay longer (despite being completely worn out by then!) If you want to explore as much of the park as possible then it’s a full day out.

What does Dairyland offer for families?

Dairyland is an all-weather family attraction offering access to a range of farm animals plus extensive outdoor and indoor play areas including the Bull Pen, a daily calendar of activities and a heritage museum telling the story of rural farming.

It’s something of a Cornish institution and if you’re on holiday nearby or living in the area with small children you will probably end up here at some point.

What shouldn’t be missed?

Highlights for us were:

• Hayride on the tractor trailer, which takes you down to the lakes
• The pony rides
• My 2-year-old loved bottlefeeding the lambs but I thought this was slightly disorganised and I had to hustle a bit to make sure she got her turn
• Both my 4 year old and 2 year old enjoyed exploring the outdoor play area, and the Cannon Bull soft ball shooting range was a huge hit, especially with the 4 year old (and his dad for that matter)
• The soft play, of course - there’s a smaller area for under-5s and a larger space for bigger children where the amazing long slides were causing squeals of delight (yes, I had a go too!)

How easy was the overall day?

I have to confess I’m not usually a big fan of themed attractions like this, preferring gardens, beaches and museums for family days out. But the children absolutely loved it. And because they were constantly entertained and occupied, with everything easily accessible, I found it much more enjoyable, and even more relaxing, than I was expecting.

We were given a map at reception, along with a what’s on guide for special events throughout the day, such as bottle feeding and hayrides. The map was easy to navigate and everything is quite close together so we weren’t rushing around or dragging tired kids to get from one thing to another in time - we had our 8 month old in a buggy, and our 4 year old and 2 year old easily managed the whole day on foot.

What you need to know before you go

• Dairyland offers activities (animal petting, bottle feeding, pony rides) throughout the day at set times so check the event timetable for those you don’t want to miss
• You MUST wear socks in the Bull Pen playbarn – otherwise there’s a £1.25 fee to buy a pair
• Make your children aware that the animals here may bite or peck if they’re being chased or teased and remind them being gentle is the best approach

Are there any height or age restrictions?

Yes, height limit for the pony rides is 130cm (as the ponies are quite small) – that’s approximately the average height of a 9 year old. The Bull Pen Adventure Zone is aimed at 5 years plus, although there’s a soft play area for under 5s too.

Were there queues for the rides and activities?

We didn’t encounter any big queues as it wasn’t a very busy day - we went on a warm but slightly drizzly Sunday in June.

Did it cater well for different aged children?

There were a few things that our 4 year old wanted to do which the 2 year old didn’t and vice versa, so we did split up at times through the day to keep everyone happy. This wasn’t an issue for us but if want/need to keep the whole family group, best to agree a plan for the day in advance.

Was it pushchair friendly?

We had no problem getting a pushchair around the site and the only time we had to leave it behind was on the tractor ride.

There’s a farm museum on site too – how was that?

The rather old-fashioned museum exhibits might appeal to children with a very keen interest in farm history but they went right over my children’s heads - no interactive bells and whistles here.

What are the food and drink facilities like?

Clarabelle’s Kitchen Cafe is fine but nothing special - expect standard fare of baguettes, paninis, pasties and kids’ picnic boxes. We paid just under £30 for lunch for four people, including tea and cake. It’s not a huge space but there was plenty of seating when we were there. There’s also a cafe area in the Bull Pen.

Can you take a picnic?

Yes, there are picnic benches around the site, as well as a covered picnic area by the outdoor play area if it’s raining.

Was it clean and hygienic?

It’s a working farm so you do need to be careful as you’re around animals. There are lots of signs reminding you to wash your hands after touching the animals and before eating. Sinks are provided in the Haybarn but I took antibacterial hand gel as well just in case. And pregnant women are advised to stay away from the lambs.

What are the toilets like?

There’s a block by the entrance/exit, another near the Haybarn and outdoor play area, and a third in the Bull Pen. All have baby-changing facilities and a disabled toilet, but the baby-changing room nearest the Haybarn is small and up a couple of awkward steps, so difficult to get a buggy into (I just left it outside). I was surprised the cafe didn’t have its own toilets and baby change – I had to go out through the exit to the toilets there.

How well does it cater for disabled visitors?

• 3 disabled toilets on site
• Level access to all buildings and areas
• Support dogs are welcome on site
• Carers get free entrance with accreditation

Opening dates and times:

Open daily, 10-5, from April to October. Opening times vary the rest of the year

How to get to Dairyland Farm World

Dairyland is at Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 5AA. It’s well signposted and is situated just outside Newquay.

• Follow the brown-and-white signs on the A30, A3075 and A392, which will bring you on to the A3058
• From here, look out for the big Dairyland Farm World sign
• Dairyland is also on the local bus route - 90 and 25

Do you have to pay for parking?

No, parking is free and we didn’t have a problem getting a space.

Worth a long car journey?

While we had a great time, this isn’t one I’d make a special trip for. It’s perfect if you live locally or are on holiday in Cornwall - especially if it’s not beach weather.

Which hotels or holiday accommodation are near Dairyland Farm World?

Nearby Newquay is one of Cornwall’s most popular family destinations, so there are plenty of accommodation options, including:

• The Premier Inn Newquay (Quintrell Downs) hotel is a three-minute drive away from the farm and offers good-value family rooms
• For a more luxurious stay, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa offers two hours of free childcare for each day of your stay (while mum and dad check out the spa) plus kids’ pools and a soft play area
• Find a cosy cottage at Sykescottages.co.uk or hoseasons.co.uk
• Find family-friendly hotel deals in Newquay on Booking.com

Nearby attractions for a longer day out:

Newquay Zoo and Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium are less than 20 minutes away, while the famous Eden Project is a 30-minute drive, as is The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Newquay also has gorgeous beaches and lovely walks.

MFM verdict:

We had a brilliant day out and the children could happily have done it all again the following day. I loved how easy it was - as soon as they had tired of one activity there was something nearby to move on to. And having indoor and outdoor entertainment meant we could enjoy the sunshine while it lasted and then duck under cover when the drizzle set in. It’s not sophisticated, glitzy or even naturally beautiful (which Cornwall excels at elsewhere). If you’re used to visiting smart modern adventure parks and attractions then Dairyland might be a tad underwhelming, and it’s not cheap. But it was a big thumbs up from our children - and if they’re happy, I’m happy.

Visit Dairyland Farm World website

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