We were determined not to spend another weekend trapped inside by the cold and snow so we decided to venture out on an arctic Sunday afternoon to Manor Farm Country Park.
Snugly wrapped up in scarves, gloves and hats, we arrived at the farm just in time for the twice-daily milking demonstration.
My daughter starred in wonderment at the sight of a cow being milked the traditional way. This helped answer the question of ‘where does milk come from?’. Now she can answer ‘a cow’ rather than her previous answer of ‘the fridge’!
The farm has recently seen the arrival of over 20 new piglets born to two rather tired-looking mummy pigs. They certainly had the right idea as they were huddled tightly under a heat lamp in search of some warmth.
On a cold day, there are plenty of places for visitors to take shelter in, including one barn, which had a number of interactive activities especially for children. My two-and-a-half year old loved the animal jigsaw puzzles, which kept her cold little fingers busy.
Another place to warm up those cold digits is in Mrs Earwicker’s Victorian farmhouse kitchen. The farmer’s wife can be found going about her daily chores in this original farmhouse. Next door there is a Victorian schoolroom which holds real life lessons – just listen for the bell to ring for the beginning of class.
As well as cows and pigs, there are donkeys, sheep and rabbits plus dozens of chickens wandering around the farmyard.
Everyday at 2.15pm there is an opportunity for children to meet the animals. The little ones’ squeals of delight as they cuddled a piglet were louder than the piglet’s grunts as dozens of tiny hands reached out for a stroke.
The farm can be found at the end of a long, windy lane, which meanders through the country park grounds easily reached from junction eight of the M27. Nestled on the banks of the River Hamble, the park covers an area of 400 acres and has a number of woodland trails for walkers and perfect picnic sites for families on a day out including children’s play areas.
We have vowed to visit again once the weather warms up to take full advantage of the park’s facilities and to check on the progress of all those little piglets.
EMMA ALLEN
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