WITH newborn lambs to cuddle, wriggly piglets to tickle and fluffy chicks to stroke, there’s lots of hands-on fun to be had at Farmer Gow’s.

As a mixed livestock farm it is home to a large contingent of sheep, cattle, turkeys, ducks and even ferrets and certainly promises to keep little ones busy and entertained.

The Meet the Animals sessions are fully interactive and children are always encouraged to join in feeding times and collect free range eggs.

For those who want a taste of life on a working farm, the venue offers visitors the chance to become farmers for a day. For £30, they will be taken behind the scenes and can help with anything from feeding to the daily care of cattle.

For the more adventurous, the farm offers trailer rides and action-packed treasure hunts on the giant Bale Climb, where children have one simple mission: to uncover the carefully hidden treats.

The activity centre was started by Ann Gow, the real Farmer Gow, in 2002. Having come from a long line of farmers (going back six generations on her father’s side and five on her mother’s), she began organising and running farm open days in the village of Appleton in 1992. These would continue until 2001. A year later Farmer Gow’s was born. The farm and activity centre relocated to Longcot, near Faringdon, and relaunched to the public in 2008.

— MARION SAUVEBOIS