A family stops to watch South Angle Farm Park’s resident large hog, Wilbur, Feb. 15, 2023. The park has various large animal pens where visitors can watch the animals engage with their surroundings. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
With spring in the air, one of the best things about living in the English countryside is seeing all the farm animals on the daily commute.
It just so happens that there’s a place nearby where animal lovers can not only see them, but also interact with them in a variety of ways. That place is South Angle Farm Park.
About a 30-minute drive from the tri-base area, South Angle lets visitors feed and pet the animals and share in the overall experience of the people who raise them.
The current South Angle Farm Park opened in the spring of 2014. The majority of their animals are re-homed or rescue animals. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Children feed a guinea pig and a rabbit at the South Angle Farm Park on Feb. 15, 2023. The farm park works with schools for educational opportunities. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
I have visited the farm park twice with my family and with friends who have children ranging from preschoolers to 9- and 10-year-olds, and both times all the youngsters had a ball.
The alpacas, horses, rabbits, goats, sheep, guinea pigs and many of the reptiles are made available to visitors throughout the day. Other animals, such as bearded dragons and corn snakes, are taken out of their habitats by their handlers only at certain times.
My 4-year-old daughter had a particular fondness for the chance to hold a rabbit.
Families play in a playground area with re-imagined farm equipment at South Angle Farm Park, Feb. 15, 2023. Large playgrounds are scattered throughout the farm in between the animal interaction exhibits. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Placed throughout the park are farm-themed playgrounds, sandpits and old farm equipment that has been reimagined and spruced up for play. In between feeding the animals, my kids joined their counterparts in climbing on the assorted contraptions.
Families sit at South Angle Farm picnic area during lunch, Feb. 15, 2023. The farm park allows visitors to bring their own food and also has a cafe with snacks and drinks. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Although there is a cafe on the park grounds offering snacks and drinks, visitors are allowed to bring their own food.
We found South Angle Farm Park a splendid place to spend a few hours, and we look forward to mid-March, when guests can bottle-feed the newborn lambs.
Kelly Alvarez feeds the alpacas at South Angle Farm Park Feb. 15, 2023. The park has various large animals visitors can engage with, including alpacas, horses, sheep and goats. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
For an additional fee of 30 pounds for a group of four, the farm offers private showing of 30 minutes to play and feed popular animals such as lambs, goats and alpacas.
Visitors stand in line waiting for their drink orders at South Angle Farm Park cafe, Feb. 15, 2023. The cafe has cakes, sandwiches and light snacks. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
South Angle Farm Park
Address: Angle Common, Soham, Ely, England
Cost: Adults, 8.50 pounds; children age 2 and up 6.95 pounds; seniors, 5.50 pounds; caregivers, 3.95 pounds; children under 2, free. Free parking.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m-5 p.m.; closed Mondays; for holiday schedule, check the website
Information: Phone: 07922 456 826; Online: southanglefarmpark.co.uk; email: farm@southanglefarmpark.co.uk
