Smithills Open Farm
🏟 Farm park · Smithills, Bolton
Smithills Open Farm
Family-run open farm set in 70 acres of countryside a few miles north of Bolton, with over 25 types of animals plus indoor soft play and outdoor play areas.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open 10am to 5pm all year round, every day apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Prices: Adults GBP 13.50, Children 2-16 GBP 11.50, under 2 free, OAPs GBP 11.50, Family (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) GBP 45. Disabled adult/child tickets include one free carer ticket. Check the website for current prices.
Booking: Tickets can be booked online via the farm's DigiTickets portal. Check the website before travelling.
📍 Location & directions
🗺️ Show map ▾
Address: Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 7NS
Plus Code: 9C5VJG2R+M6
About Smithills Open Farm
Smithills Open Farm is a family-run visitor farm set within around 70 acres of rolling countryside a few miles north of Bolton. The farm is constantly evolving, with new animals arriving regularly, and is home to over 25 different types of residents. These include farmyard favourites such as cows, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks and donkeys, alongside more unusual animals including llamas, owls, meerkats, skunks, deer and even Burmese pythons. Children can get hands-on with animal feeding and petting, and hand-washing stations are provided throughout for safety. When little ones need to let off steam there is indoor soft play and outdoor play areas, plus plenty of picnic spots. On-site facilities include a cafe serving hot and cold food, a farm shop and an ice cream parlour, so you can make a full day of it. The farm is open 10am to 5pm all year round, every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Tickets can be booked online, with free carer tickets available alongside disabled adult or child tickets, making it an easy, all-weather family day out near Bolton.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Open farm with over 25 types of animals
- Petting and animal handling
- Cafe / refreshments
- Farm shop
- Ice cream parlour
🏞 Facilities
- Parking: Yes – on-site car park.
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Carer tickets are free with a disabled adult or child ticket; largely accessible site, though it is set in rolling countryside so some paths are uneven.
- Dogs: Assistance dogs only (working animal farm with biosecurity rules).
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: Family attraction for all ages; animal handling, soft play and outdoor play are especially popular with toddlers and primary-age children. Under 2s free.
- Indoor soft play
- Outdoor play areas
- Picnic areas
📍 Nearby places to play
- Moss Bank Park · approx 0.6 miles · Smithills
- Thomasson Park · approx 1.3 miles · Halliwell
- Queens Park · approx 1.5 miles · Heaton
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much?
Adults GBP 13.50, Children 2-16 GBP 11.50, under 2s free, OAPs GBP 11.50 and a Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, or 1 adult + 3 children) GBP 45. Disabled adult/child tickets come with a free carer ticket. Check the website for current prices.
What animals?
Over 25 types of animals including cows, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, donkeys, llamas, owls, meerkats, skunks, deer and Burmese pythons, with petting and feeding.
Good for toddlers?
Yes. There is indoor soft play and outdoor play areas alongside the animals, and under 2s go free.
Need to book?
Tickets can be booked online through the farm's DigiTickets portal - it is worth checking the website before you travel.
Where/parking?
Smithills Dean Road, Bolton BL1 7NS, a few miles north of Bolton town centre, with an on-site car park.