When the weather is as hit and miss as it has been this summer, planning days out with your family can be a bit of a struggle. In spite of the overcast weather July has offered us, we made our way to Walby Farm Park for a summer holiday day out, and loved it.

Despite the cloudy skies and rain showers, we had an amazing day at Walby… so read on to discover everything you need to know to enjoy a day there with your family, too.

About Walby Farm Park

This 30-acre award winning family-friendly farm park is situated on the 450-acre working farm situated in the Solway Basin. The Milbourne family set up the farm in 1928, when the fields were ploughed by Clydesdale horses and it continues to be a working farm today with a mix of arable crops, dairy cows, and so much more.

When is Walby Farm Park open?

Walby Farm Park is open all year round as follows:

Monday to Sunday

10am - 5:30pm

N.B Walby Farm Park is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day.

Where can I park?

There is a car park on site. Simply follow the winding country road from the A689 to the farm entrance. There are plenty of spaces available, including disabled parking.

Please note that it does get busy quickly, so if you don't want to park at the back and have a long-ish walk in, arrive early.

To find the car park, use this post code: CA6 4QL

How much does visiting Walby Farm Park cost?

Walby Farm Park offers online booking for admission to the park, giving you a £2 saving per ticket. Online prices are as follows:

Adult tickets: £11.45
Child tickets: £12.95
Senior tickets (65+): £9.45
Under 1s: FREE

N.B. Ticket prices include most activities and attractions (see below for details). Some require additional payment, and some will vary due to seasonal events.

What is available at Walby Farm Park?

The animal barn

Goats, sheep, ponies, donkeys, field mice, ferrets, and more can be found inside the animal barn. If you visit in spring, you may even see a lamb or two being born.

Outdoor paddocks

From “pac pacs” (Munchkin's name for alpacas) to reindeer to pygmy goats to red deer there are plenty of different animals to see out in the paddocks around the farm.

Meet the animals

Meet the rabbits and guinea pigs, groom the ponies, watch the ferret show, and collect eggs from the hens.

Multiple trampolines

One user at a time though please! These were by far the highlight for Peanut. I’ve never seen her so happy as she was bouncing round on the outdoor trampolines.

Outdoor sandpit

The JCB themed dig-and-play pit is a great place for children of all ages to enjoy. There are yellow JCBs, diggers, and trailers, plus buckets and spades, too!

Outdoor play area

From swings to zip lines and go-karts to sledge slides there is so much available in the outdoor play area for the whole family.

Walby's Wooden Maze

Run through the wooden maze with your children to find your way out or watch from the viewing platform as they explore for themselves.

Tractor trailer rides

Jump on the trailer at the back of the tractor and go for a ride. See the red deer and other farm animals in the fields beyond the farm park itself.

Did you know…? This is a fully accessible ride, with a wheelchair ramp for those who can't use the steps!

Milecastle 62

Walby Farm Park is located on the line of Hadrian's Wall, so what better place to have an amazing undercover play area constructed as a wooden fort? Milescastle 62 is a three level play area for all ages, with ropes, slopes, slides, tunnels and more to enjoy.

Barbarian Village

If you have little ones who aren't quite ready for Milecastle 62, don't worry! Walby Farm Park has a neighbouring under 5s wooden play area called the Barbarian Village perfect for the smaller members of your family.

Walby deckchairs

Indoor adventure playbarn

Cumbria's largest indoor adventure play area is a great place to enjoy Walby even if the weather doesn't want to play ball. The 24-foot demon drop slide is not for the faint hearted, but the rest is fun for all to enjoy.

Seasonal events for 2024

National Festival Circus

Our July 2024 visit to Walby saw an exciting summer special thanks to the National Festival Circus. Free with your entry ticket, this was a fun family event with shows throughout the day allowing everyone the chance to enjoy the show.

Panning for gold

Another free event to enjoy with your entry ticket, each child was given the chance to pan for gold - and take their favourite piece of gold or gemstone home with them after.

There are seasonal activities offered all year round at Walby Farm Park… including the upcoming Pumpkin Picking, Sunflowers, Bonfire Night and of course Christmas.

To find out what's happening for your upcoming visit, check out Walby's event page on their website.

FAQs about our family days out

What age is Walby Farm Park suitable for?

Enjoy family fun on the farm together at Walby, no matter your age! There are activities for everyone, and whether you’ve got toddlers like Peanut, oldee children like Squidgy, or even grandparents like John's parents who we took on our first visit to Walby, you’re sure to have an amazing day together.

Are there facilities available?

There is indeed. Fully accessible toilets and baby change facilities are all available on site just beyond the entrance desk next to the shop in the Cowshed Café.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

If you're after a bite to eat, the Cowshed Café is the perfect spot (unless you would prefer to bring your own picnic and utilise the picnic benches outside!)

So, rain or shine Walby Farm Park makes a great place to spend the day with your family, young and old. I highly recommend a visit to Walby if you’re in North Cumbria locally or on holiday!

For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces England has to offer, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in Cumbria? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.