Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
🏟 Farm park · Verwood, Bournemouth
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
Award-winning Dorset farm park near Verwood where families meet rare-breed heavy horses, enjoy carriage rides, play barns and daily demonstrations.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Seasonal: open late March to end of October, 10am-4pm (last entry 2pm); days vary by month (Wed-Sun in spring/summer, Fri-Sun in October, daily in half-terms). Closed over winter.
Prices: 2026 season: adult (16+) £17.50, child (3-15) £16.95, family (2 adults + up to 2 children, or 1 adult + up to 3 children) £65.50.
Booking: Booking in advance online is essential via dorset-heavy-horse-centre.co.uk
📍 Location & directions
🗺️ Show map ▾
Address: Edmondsham Road, Verwood, Dorset, BH21 5RJ
Plus Code: 9C2WV3VJ+C6
About Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, a short drive north of Bournemouth near Verwood, is a multi-award-winning family attraction and conservation centre dedicated to the majestic rare-breed heavy horses. Families can meet the gentle giants up close, take a heavy horse carriage ride and watch daily demonstrations including blacksmith and farrier displays, as well as pony grooming and animal-handling sessions. Alongside the horses there is a wider collection of farmyard animals to meet in the petting areas. For children there are indoor play barns, outdoor play areas and vintage fairground rides, so there is plenty to fill a full day whatever the weather. Smokey Joe's, a country-and-western themed cafe, serves hot food, drinks and snacks, and there is parking on site. The park runs a seasonal timetable, opening from late March to the end of October from 10am to 4pm with last entry at 2pm; opening days vary by month and it opens daily during the spring and autumn half-term holidays, closing over the winter months. Admission is charged and booking in advance online is essential, so plan your visit via the official website before you travel.
⭐ What makes this place special
- heavy horse carriage rides
- blacksmith and daily demonstrations
- petting area
- pony grooming
🏞 Facilities
- Parking: On-site parking
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Family attraction with level access to play barns and demonstration areas (contact ahead for detailed access info)
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: All ages – a family attraction suitable from toddlers upwards
- indoor play barns
- vintage fairground rides
- outdoor play
📍 Nearby places to play
- Kinson Common · approx 8.8 miles · Kinson
- Redhill Park · approx 9.4 miles · Redhill
- Muscliff Park · approx 9.7 miles · Muscliff
Explore more:
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much?
For the 2026 season it is £17.50 for adults (16+), £16.95 per child aged 3-15, and £65.50 for a family ticket (2 adults plus up to 2 children, or 1 adult plus up to 3 children).
What animals?
The star attractions are rare-breed heavy horses, alongside ponies and a range of farmyard animals you can meet in the petting areas.
Good for toddlers?
Yes - it suits all ages, with indoor play barns, gentle animal encounters and carriage rides that younger children enjoy.
Need to book?
Yes - booking in advance online is essential, and the park runs a seasonal timetable (late March to end of October), so check dates before travelling.
Where/parking?
It is near Verwood in Dorset, north of Bournemouth, with on-site parking available.