The UK tech-free attractions that my kids prefer to theme parks – and spring is the best time to visit

SPRINGTIME is the perfect season for visiting the farm as the baby animals and warmer weather arrives.

My family thinks it's even better than a trip to the theme park at this time of year.

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Nothing beats getting out into the fresh air after you've been cooped up at home for months and farm parks tend to offer the best all-round experience once spring has sprung.

Lots will have been spruced up while closed to guests over winter, ready to hit the ground running in March.

Whereas we've been to a couple of theme parks recently that felt like they were still trying to gear up for the summer season, with a shortage of ice cream and rides not working.

My top tip if you're taking the fam to the farm this Easter is to make sure there's a good indoor option available in case the great British weather kicks in.

And it's always wise to check whether you can get discounted entry with something like Kids Pass or use supermarket loyalty points towards ticket costs.

Here in the Midlands, the dinosaur trail at Manor Farm Park and Woodlands near Loughborough was a huge hit with my boys when we visited earlier this month.

We all enjoyed trying out a bit of falconry with the resident birds of prey, from tiny owl Wookie, who weighed just 225g, up to the huge turkey vulture Valdemort.

The indoor playbarn provides a massive covered space with a wooden castle, pirate ship, football arena, pedal karts, ball shooters and a big playframe with drop slides, plus a couple of smaller play spaces dedicated to little ones.

There are animals aplenty, including Tilly the Tortoise, celebrating her 80th birthday this year, and a room where visitors can pet some of the smaller creatures which call Manor Farm home.

We also love a trip to Bluebell Dairy near Derby for its homemade ice cream and a chance to watch the cows being milked, before enjoying a bounce on the air cushion in the playground.

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We've had great days out at farms across the country and Willows Activity Farm near St Albans is a particular favourite for its huge indoor play area and Peter Rabbit themed shows and activities.

Over in Wales, Folly Farm Adventure Park near Tenby has plenty to draw in holidaymakers visiting the coast, with its own funfair and zoo, plus accommodation on site.

Not all farms that welcome visitors are family-owned. This year marks 45 years since Standalone Farm in Hertfordshire was taken on by Letchworth Garden City Corporation (now the heritage foundation) and transformed into a visitor attraction for families and schools.

It's recently had a £1million investment and been turned into a year-round attraction.

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If you have National Trust membership, you can even enjoy a day out at the farm free if you head to Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire or Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire.

And with Mother's Day just around the corner, lots of farm parks are doing free entry for mums on the last weekend in March.

Tattershall Farm Park in Lincolnshire is even celebrating its 10th birthday by rolling back its tickets to 2015 prices.

That means if you book this month for any date this year including weekends and school holidays, you only pay £5.50 a ticket.

So whatever you want from your farm foray, now's a great time to pull on your wellies and head outdoors to make the most of the spring season.

Visit This Immersive Victorian Farm During Easter

An immersive Victorian attraction that closed four years ago is re-opening on Easter weekend.

Acton Scott Heritage Farm is an interactive museum that's like going back in time, where kids can see what everyday life was like for the people over 100 years ago.

It was forced to close back in June 2021 due to financial problems which saw it losing £168,000 a year. However, they have since confirmed they will be reopening in time for Easter weekend after being registered as a charity.

Anyone heading there can experience life on a working farm where they practice farming, crafts and other Victorian traditions. Over the Easter opening, you'll also be able to see newborn animals on the farm from lambs to calves.

During the day, the farm holds Easter-themed activities along with learning heritage skills like harvesting and cider making.

The 'Victorian' residents will also show how they go about their daily chores from laundry to butter making in the dairy and baking in the farmhouse kitchen.

For anyone more interested in the farm, you can get up close with some of the animals that would have been part of farming life such as lambs, piglets, chicks and horses.

Visitors have described the heritage farm as a "step back in time."

One person said on TripAdvisor: "It's the perfect family day out. Set in Shropshire's rural ideal, this working farm takes you back to the turn of the century."

Another said: "It's like a snapshot of what was life 125 years ago."

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