PG42-44 Old MacDonald Final 3/27/07 10:11 AM Page 44
Park Profile
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“
Animal magic Joseph Jnr. As well as animal care, Mannings also
We had
Dotted around outside at Old MacDonald's Farm are intend to focus on renewable energy this year to hook
various children's rides, which guests must buy a in with the school curriculum.
a load of
wristband to ride, but Joseph hasn't gone mad. All It's been a learning curve for all involved. Joseph, his
new lambs
those he has added have an animal theme, and the wife Sindy, and their three children, Joseph Jnr, Chanel
animals themselves are still the star attraction. “The and Clayton, all muck in on the farm.
recently and
rides are more work than the animals, and you need “We've always grown up around rides and things,
the press
more staff,” he highlights. but dad's gone as far as he can in the fairground
Animals are also a lot cheaper to buy or breed, but business,” believes Chanel. “This offers something
coverage
just as marketable as a ride. “We had a load of new different. People can come here and get in touch
we got from
lambs recently and the press coverage we got from with nature, without the stress of queuing for rides.”
them was unbelievable …and then we raise money by Located as it is within short commuting distance of
them was
getting kids to adopt them!” Central London, Old MacDonald's Farm is the
unbelievable
The obvious educational appeal the farm boasts is perfect antidote to city life. “A lot of people come
also good for business. “We find someone visits here here because they are sick of all the noise and the
…and we raise
with their family at the weekend, and then comes back traffic in London. Many of them haven't even got
money by
a few weeks later with the whole school,” observes their own gardens.”
getting kids
to adopt
FUN ON THE FARM
them!
”
A report published by Defra, the British Department Farm and rural attractions are full of different
for Environment, Food and Regional Affairs, activities and facilities for the whole family, both
showed that almost half of all UK farm businesses indoor and outdoor, including play equipment,
are now 'diversified'. Beth Gowling of the National bouncy castles, farm trails, maize mazes, tractor and
Farm Attractions Network explains why several trailer rides, animal barns, coin-operated rides,
farmers have chosen to open up their properties to jumping pillows, plus cafés and restaurants, gift
the general public and in the process created a shops, farm produce shops and craft centres.
new subsection of the amusement industry. Many have a great collection of both farm and
non-domestic animals, allowing a hands-on
experience, such as bottle-feeding lambs. Facilities
for educational visits are very important, as many
operators are keen to educate the public about
where their food comes from.
NFAN member facilities range in visitors numbers
from 10,000 to over 300,000 and admission prices
can vary from £4 (€6) for a small park to £9 for a
larger farm park.
Farm attractions appeal to the whole family;
they're fun, they're low cost and most importantly
they're educational, providing a good value day out.
There are always new animals to see and learn
about, new plants to view on the farm trails. With
many farms now offering indoor play areas they
become an all year round attraction.
The role of seasonal events is growing and they
are very popular. Operators are focusing greatly on
Halloween, Christmas and Easter, times of the year
when they are able to draw a huge numbers of
visitors. Enormous efforts are put into creating
spectacular shows for visitors, enticing them to return
year after year.
The farm attractions market is so diverse it's
difficult to say whether they are in the same market
Farmers have faced tough decisions about the as amusement parks. Some of the larger farms are
future of their businesses in recent times. The Foot more focused with rides and amusements and
and Mouth Disease of 2001 affected the whole would definitely compare and compete with
industry and highlighted a series of issues for the amusement parks. However, smaller farms that
countryside, including the need to diversify and the focus on educating their visitors about food and
importance of tourism to the rural economy. Now, farming would consider themselves to be very
with low prices for their produce and increasing different.
legislation, more farmers have begun to move away The rural leisure and tourism market has grown
from traditional farming and look at other ventures, rapidly, and one of the National Farm Attractions
such as changes in use of buildings, tourist Network's main aims is to raise this profile of this
accommodation, or creating a farm park. There are market to the public and to farmers to encourage
still many farmers entering the attractions market further rural businesses to be established.
today.
www.farmattractions.net
44 APRIL 2007