Five places to meet newborn animals this lambing season, including Hadlow College, Tonbridge, and Kent Life, Maidstone
Celebrate the joys of spring and marvel at the miracle of life this lambing season. From agricultural colleges to open farms, we’ve got five places where you and your family can meet some new furry friends…
Hadlow College Lambing Weekend, Tonbridge
Enjoy the arrival of spring with adorable newborn lambs at Hadlow College. The college, which specialises in a land-based curriculum, will be hosting a two-day lambing event where visitors can meet the animals and learn about the lambing season from the experts. Stick around and make a day of it with the birds of prey display, reptile talks and demonstrations, tractor trailer rides, funfair attractions, arts and crafts stalls and food vendors.
The lambing weekend takes place on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. Adult tickets start from £10. Book online here.
Lambing at Kent Life, Maidstone
From April, visitors are invited to explore the great outdoors at Kent Life. The spring season at this spacious open-air museum brings with it lambs and goat kids, along with a host of other farmyard animals. Children can experience a real life working farm and meet the sheep, pigs, horses, rabbits and alpacas, as well as the delightful baby animals. If you really want to see something special, make sure you catch the bottle feeding demonstrations with the lambs throughout the day.
Lambing at Kent Life takes place between Saturday, April 2 and Monday, April 18. Adult tickets start from £12. Book online here.
Lambing at South of England Rare Breeds Centre, near Ashford
This farm-tastic tourist attraction, set within 100 acres of Kentish countryside, is expecting its newborns to arrive towards the end of March. While you might be looking for lambs, they aren’t the only baby animals you’ll find to coo over as the centre is also currently home to several pregnant goats and a recently born calf. The animal barn and lambing tunnel are just some of the family-friendly attractions on the farm, which also offers rides on the big red trailer, an outdoor play area and home-cooked food and fresh cakes in the Granary Restaurant.
The South of England Rare Breeds Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. Adult tickets start from £12.95. Book online here.
Lambing Open Days at Broadlees Farm, Dover
This busy coastal farm only opens to the public on special occasions - and what could be more special than a flock of little lambs? The Broadlees Farm open days educate visitors on the farming process and how lambs are born, while also providing a fun, fascinating day for the whole family. You may even be able to cuddle one of the lambs under the supervision of staff, so have your camera ready to capture the memorable moment. The farm also donates some of the proceeds from its open days to the NSPCC.
Lambing open days take place between Saturday, April 2 and Monday, April 18. Adult tickets start from £6 and no pre-booking is needed. Find out more information here.
Spring Lambs at Mount Ephraim, near Faversham
Spend an afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Mount Ephraim and say hello to the spring lambs. Meet local estate farmer Alex, who will introduce you to the precious baby animals at Mount Ephraim and captivate your kids with charming stories of the lambing season. You can also take a stroll along the lamb trail and pet the friendly farmyard animals as you go. During your visit, don’t forget to make time for the rest of the estate - explore the ten acres of Edwardian gardens, enjoy a picnic by the lake or woodland area, and admire the collection of spring bulbs.
Spring Lambs at Mount Ephraim takes place on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2. Adult tickets start from £7. Book online here.
