About the farmyard and playground
With so many things to do for kids young and old, Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground makes for a fun day out for all the family.
In the farmyard you can meet our friendly animals, from pigs and horses to mischievous goats and guinea pigs, many of whom you can feed, pet or even cuddle.
We're also delighted to be home to a number of rare breeds including Suffolk Punch horses, Shire horses, Albion cattle, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Bagot goats, Cream Legbar chickens and more.
From the farmyard, take the secret tunnel to the woodland playground for exciting adventures.
Climb our tall towers for a bird's eye view, descend at speed on our racing slides, scramble across the wood tangle, zip on the zip wire, dig in the giant sand pit or use an Archimedes screw to fetch water from the stream...there are hours of adventures in store.
ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND
Adventure awaits
Everything you need to plan your day
Our farmyard friends
Get to know our friendly faces before your visit
01
Eugenie
Hello, I'm Eugenie, a Suffolk Punch mare and a rare breed.My ancestors used to pull carts and work the fields, but the arrival of machines meant I wasn't needed any more and my breed nearly became extinct.Come and say hello, I am very friendly.
02
Seamus
Let me introduce myself, I'm Seamus, one of the donkeys.I love it at Chatsworth because I get my nose stroked a lot.Sometimes you'll hear me braying loudly when it's time for tea.
03
Cookie & friends
Hello, I'm Cookie, a guinea pig who loves cuddles and sitting on knees.Myself and my friends like being stroked, we like vegetables, we like being stroked, we like fruit, we like being stroked... You get the idea!When we're excited, we make a noise called a wheek.The rustle of a vegetable bag makes us wheek. Did I mention that we like vegetables?
04
Twiglet
Hey! I'm Twiglet, an Alpine goat.You won't miss me in the farmyard, especially if you're carrying a bag of animal food... My looong neck is very useful when it comes to reaching food.I don't only love food though, I love scratches behind my big ears.I can't wait to meet you!
05
Peter
co*ck-a-doodle-doo! I'm Peter, a Buff Cochin co*ckerel.I'm a rare breed, with very fluffy feet. I love searching for food, you will see me pecking away trying to find little bugs or grain to eat.You might hear me before you see me!
History of the farmyard
The farmyard at Chatsworth has been a favourite day out for children of all ages since 1973, when it opened with a variety of animals including cows, sheep and lambs, pigs, horses, goats and poultry, as well as a milking parlour for demonstrations.
Since then we've introduced the adventure playground and more exciting activities for children to get involved in, as well as developing our breeding programme for rare and sometimes critically endangered breeds.
In 2021, we were thrilled to be awarded Rare Breeds Survival Trust accreditation, recognising our important contribution to the conservation of some of the rarest livestock and equine breeds native to the UK, from Suffolk Punch horses and Shire horses to British Landrace pigs and Eriskay ponies.
Discover the history of the farmyard.
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What's on?
Events in the farmyard
Lamb Feeding Experience
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A special opportunity to bottle feed our lambs in the farmyard.
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Keeping Chickens
A hands-on guide to keeping chickens, including an introduction to different breeds.
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Shopping & eating
Grab lunch or a snack at the farmyard café or theshepherd's hut in the playground and explore thegift shop with gift ideas for children and pocket money toys too.
