Pigeons Farm, near Wisbech

"Family Farms" usually summon up a feeling of dread for me. Alright, they are not so awkward as zoos, and yes, kids DO need to see where their food comes from, but to me they have always been split into two groups. Group one is the "worthy", where you get a lot of info about farming, sustainability, and lecturing, and the animals are non-touchable. It is meant to be fun but it is not. Group 2 is ramshackle, you can touch everything and anything, and you worry about e-coli all the time. I have never come across something in-between before. But son is going through an animal phase, and so I duly did my research, and plumped for Pigeon's Farm, near Wisbech.

I am SO glad I did. It is just about the most perfect family farm I have come across. We arrived as it opened at 10am, and went straight across to the small animal barn. In previous farms i've visited, this has meant a lot of sad looking hamsters in cages. Here, it means large confined spaces for rabbits of all shapes and sizes, some lop-eared and frankly gigantic, hamsters, Guinea pigs, baby maran hen chicks, and a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who clearly knew each and every animal. He pointed out which new babies belonged to each new mum, and picked up rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks for my two kids to hold. They all had names, they were all clearly healthy and happy, and the children were entranced to be able to actually hold something. The chap in charge of them obviously loved his job, and was full of info for me, a new hen keeper, bursting to tell me about his chickens further along.

Cows in a barn licked my kids heads. New lambs were there to stroke and coo over, ponies, horses, and pigs, all in beuatiful barns with plentiful room, and personal info on each door about each animal and their foibles. Outside, there were TONS of lambs and their ewes, donkeys, goats and a large pond for geese and ducks, and more gorgeous Gloucester spot pigs, enjoying a wallow. Hens wander free range everywhere, and there are also coops of rarer breeds, Orpingtons, Marans, and Speckled Sussex, including the biggest cockerel I have EVER seen, quite the size of a turkey. Many animals are rescue animals or rare breeds and good work is done saving and conserving them. Activities happen throughout the day including egg collecting and butter making.

All animals were friendly, unafraid and happy and healthy. Staff were everywhere, pointing stuff out, being friendly and just so happy in their work it showed. Farmer Bob, the owner is very much in evidence making sure it all works fine. He was super friendly too, and chatted to my kids. A large play area, with tractors and a jumping pillow, and indoor and outdoor picnic tables complete the outside. The tone throughout is laid back, not preachy, but far more informative through actually observing the animals and chatting to the staff than many of the "educational" farms I have visited.

Inside, there is a cafe which offers reasonable priced food in adult and junior portions, all home made, and very fine indeed. I had a breakfast bap of their own eggs and bacon, on a homemade roll and loved it, the kids professed their kids meals to be lovely, and husband didn't pause for a second whompfing his all-dayer down. The dinners include staples like lasgane, and also their own bred beef roasts, which looked gorgeous and mean a return visit for the food alone. The cafe is kid friendly with high chairs and boosters, plus Tractor Ted DVD's on the go and crayons etc.

Everything on the farm is spotless, hand stations are everywhere, and there was not one worry about health.

We will be buying an annual ticket, as I forsee us returning again and again throughout the Summer and beyond. I rarely leave a place fully satisfied in every respect, but today I did. Highly recommended.

Children under 3 are free, adults are 5.50, children 4.50. Season tickets are £35.00 for adults, £25.o0 for children, £110 for a family.