Name: Totnes Rare Breeds Farm
Rating: 5.0

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, South Devon Railway Riverside) Station, Totnes, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Totnes, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm is a brilliant choice. Set beside the South Devon Steam Railway, this intimate animal petting attraction lets families get up close to rare farm animals, friendly alpacas, and majestic birds of prey. It is a wonderful destination for parents wanting an educational day out that gets children interacting directly with animals in a calm, welcoming environment.

Standard admission prices start from £8.50 for children (ages 3–15) and £10.00 for adults, while family saver passes are available for £35.00. Under-3s go completely free. Pre-booking is not required, making it a flexible choice for spontaneous family day trips.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines hands-on animal feeding with a relaxed countryside setting, this farm is a premier choice. It provides an engaging, manageable walkthrough experience where children can handle small pets and feed friendly livestock safely.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Hands-On Petting Areas: Interactive zones where children can stroke and hold small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits.
Animal Feeding Experiences: Opportunity to purchase feed bags on entry to hand-feed goats, sheep, and friendly farm poultry.
Resident Owl Collection: Dedicated aviaries housing diverse owl species managed by experienced handlers.
Steam Railway Backdrop: Scenic positioning directly beside the historic South Devon Railway line for train-loving kids.

Top 5 Highlights

The Guinea Pig Cuddling Corner: Sit down with friendly handlers to hold and stroke gentle guinea pigs. It is a firm favourite for toddlers and young children experiencing their first gentle animal interactions.
The Resident Owls and Bird Talks: Meet the farm's impressive collection of owls up close and learn about their unique behaviours during dedicated keeper chats. Children love looking right into their expressive eyes from an arm's length away.
The Greedy Goats and Alpacas: Purchase a cup of animal feed at the entrance to hand-feed the enthusiastic goats and friendly alpacas. Their eager reactions provide endless laughs for the whole family.
Shetland Ponies: Meet the miniature Shetland ponies that call the farm home. Kids can admire their gentle nature and even take part in specialist grooming sessions.
The Garden Café Deck: Relax with a hot drink or lunch while overlooking the surrounding Devon countryside and the adjoining South Devon Railway platform. Watching steam trains chug past adds an extra layer of magic to lunch time.

Facilities

Toilets: Clean public toilet facilities including baby-changing spaces are available on site.
Accessibility: The farm layout is compact and friendly for wheelchairs and pushchairs of all abilities.
Buggy Parking: Single-level paths allow parents to wheel pushchairs easily through all primary animal zones.
Food Options: The on-site Garden Café provides hot meals, snacks, and drinks overlooking the steam railway.

Pro-Tips

Grab an Animal Feed Bag: Buy a bag of feed right when you enter to ensure you capture the attention of the goats and sheep immediately.
Check Train Timetable: Coordinate your farm visit with the South Devon Railway schedule so your children can wave at the passing steam train.
Wear Practical Footwear: As it is a rural farm setting, sensible flat shoes or trainers are recommended for exploring the pathways.

Targeted FAQ

Is Totnes Rare Breeds Farm worth it for toddlers? Yes, it is wonderful for toddlers because the intimate, compact layout ensures little legs won't get exhausted, and the gentle guinea pigs and friendly goats provide safe, unforgettable animal contact.
How long does a visit take? Families typically spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours exploring the animal enclosures, handling small pets, feeding the livestock, and stopping for a break at the café.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is the nearby Totnes Pavilion Car Park, from which visitors can take a short walk across to the South Devon Railway station where the farm entrance is situated.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

South Devon Railway: Historic steam and diesel heritage line operating right next door for combined rail adventures.
Totnes Castle: Historic English Heritage medieval motte-and-bailey fortress located in the nearby town.
River Dart Boat Trips: Scenic local cruises operating down the river estuary from Totnes.
Totnes Elizabethan Market Town: Quaint local independent shops, artisan markets, and family-friendly eateries a short walk away.

What Visitors Love:

The exceptionally hands-on approach allows children to pet, feed, and interact directly with the animals rather than just looking from afar.
The compact scale of the farm makes it ideal for toddlers, as little legs will not get overtired.
Staff members are friendly, approachable, and wonderful with young children during animal talks.
The adjacent steam railway views provide an unexpected bonus that thrills transport-obsessed kids.

What Visitors Don't Like:

The lack of direct vehicular road access right to the entrance means a short walk from the nearest public car park is required.
Popular animal experiences and petting sessions can get busy during peak holiday afternoons.
Limited indoor cover during sudden downpours, though the cafe provides a welcome shelter.

Animals & Attractions

Resident Owls: Ten distinct species of beautiful owls housed in specialized enclosures.
Golden Guernsey Goats: Rare breed dairy goats known for their friendly, interactive personalities.
Welsh Mountain Sheep: Hardy native sheep taking part in the farm's rare breed conservation efforts.
Shetland Ponies: Small, gentle ponies available for special grooming interactions.
Guinea Pigs & Rabbits: Small fluffy pets featured in daily petting sessions.
Rare Breed Poultry: Diverse collections of rare chickens, ducks, and geese roaming or housed around the paddocks.
Reptile Corner: Selected cold-blooded species featured in exclusive family animal experiences.
The Garden Café: On-site eatery serving fresh local lunches, vegan options, and gluten-free snacks.

New for 2026

Expanded Childminder Season Passes: New flexible pass options introduced for local childminders and frequent visitors.
Upgraded Interactive Animal Enclosures: Refreshed walkthrough zones providing better low-level viewing windows for toddlers in pushchairs.
Enhanced Owl Experience Bookings: Streamlined digital scheduling for the popular one-on-one owl handling slots.
Refreshed Café Menu Options: Expanded ranges of locally sourced gluten-free and vegan choices at the Garden Café.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £10.00
OAPs & Concessions: £9.50
Children (3–15 years): £8.50
Under 3s: Free admission
Family (2 adults + 2 children): £35.00

Pricing URL: https://totnesrarebreeds.co.uk/opening-times-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: The farm does not list standard structured birthday party packages on its main booking pages. For bespoke group visits, school trips, or private event arrangements, contact the team directly via phone or email.

Daily: 10:00am–4:00pm
Last admission: 3:30pm

Address: Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, South Devon Railway Riverside) Station, Totnes, UK

Post Code: TQ9 5JR

Council: South Hams

County: Devon

By Car: We advise parking at the Pavilion Leisure Centre (TQ9 5XW) where you only pay for as long as you need. Follow the footpath that runs alongside the playing fields down to the bottom of the mainline train station. There the footpath turns right down to the river where you turn left and head over the bridge to the South Devon Railway and we're on the other side of the tracks.
By Train: Trains stop at Totnes on many local and national routes. Follow signs from the station down to the river and across to the farm.
Parking: Visitors should park at the nearby public Totnes Pavilion Car Park and take the short, pleasant walk to the South Devon Steam Railway platform where the farm entrance is located.