Pennywell Farm
 | |
 Boy stroking miniature pig at Pennywell Farm | |
| Location | Devon |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°27′33″N 3°46′37″W / 50.45917°N 3.77694°W |
| Opened | May 1, 1989 |
| Owner | Christopher and Nicola Murray |
| Slogan | "Devon's Award-Winning Farm" |
| Operating season | February to October |
| Website | www.pennywellfarm.co.uk |
Voted Devon's Best Family Attraction[1] Pennywell Farm is a multi award-winning[2] tourist attraction just outside the town of Buckfastleigh in South Devon, England. It is the biggest activity farm in the South West.[3] Pennywell is home to over 150 animals and offers visitors a different hands-on activity every half hour.
The attraction boasts the highest rated reviews[4] of any Devon attraction.
Pennywell Farm is a farm 600 feet (180 m) above sea level with breathtaking panoramic views over Dartmoor National Park.
History
Pennywell was opened to the public in 1989 by husband and wife, Christopher and Nicola Murray.
The idea was that visitors to the farm would not be spectators but that they would be able to have hands-on interaction with the animals.
Pennywell Farm was the first visitor attraction to offer a different hands on activity every half hour, a formula that has been repeated all over the country.
The Pennywell Miniature Pigs shot to fame[5] in 2007 and attracted a whole host of celebrity owners. Media interest followed we have had film crews from Germany, Japan, America, Australia, South Korea as well as the BBC, ITV and Sky.
Pennywell Farm was the first tourist attraction in Devon and the first farm attraction in the country to be awarded Gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.[6]
Activities
Your experience begins with a very warm welcome in the main farmyard where you will be guided through our activity board.
There's a new hands-on activity every 30 minutes[7] so there is always something to get involved with.
Activities change but can include include:
- Piggy cuddles
- Pig racing
- Pond dipping
- Ferret Racing
- Pig Feeding
- Bottle feeding the goat kids and lambs
- Goat Milking
- Meet the heavy horses
- Goat walking
- Meet the miniature donkeys
- Feed the deer
There are hundreds of friendly animals waiting to meet you! From the magnificent and mighty heavy horses to the teeny-tiny mice, and everything in between! Explore the farm and meet our highland cattle, lambs and goat kids, Pennywell Miniature pigs, alpacas, tortoises, and the list goes on!
Farmyard rides are brought to you, courtesy of tractor power.
Enjoy a visit to Old MacDonald’s Farm on the Tractor and Trailer Ride, suitable for all the family. Anyone over the age of 4 will enjoy blasting off from the showfield on our Red Rocket ride, guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. Or, why not take a more leisurely ride on the Rainbow Railway which all the family will enjoy!
The farm is the original breeder and home of the Pennywell miniature pigs, a variant of the New Zealand kune kune breed.[8] Information is available on their website and also produce a book [9]which answers everything someone would need to know before buying a pig.
References
- ^ Simon (28 July 2022). "Pennywell Farm Voted Devon's Best Family Attraction!". VisitDartmoor. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Pennywell Farm | award winning family attractions | Top Awards for the best attractions in Devon". Devon's Top Attractions. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ humans.txt. "Award Winning Tourist Attraction In Devon - Pennywell Farm". Award Winning Tourist Attraction In Devon - Pennywell Farm. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Pennywell farm google reviews - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ "Mini pigs are big success on farm". 15 October 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Pennywell Farm". www.visitdevon.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ humans.txt. "Award Winning Tourist Attraction In Devon - Pennywell Farm". Award Winning Tourist Attraction In Devon - Pennywell Farm. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Mini pigs are big success on farm". 15 October 2007.
- ^ Murray, Chris (4 March 2022). Pig Keeping Secrets - A guide to purchasing and keeping miniature pigs as pets. Independently published. ISBN 979-8-4270-1114-3.