The wet weather we’ve been having lately and the fact BB has been recovering from pneumonia means we haven’t got out as much as we normally would so far this autumn.

With BB now fighting fit and with it teeming down with rain (again) it was a relief to finally get out of the house with friends last weekend. We headed to one of our favourite haunts: Bocketts Farm in Surrey, and if you’re on the hunt for family days out it’s well worth a visit.

Here’s what you can expect:

What: A working family farm with animals, pig racing and play areas inside and out
Where: Near Leatherhead, Surrey, just off junction 9 of the M25
How much: Adults: £9.30, children (3-17): £9.95, two-year-olds: £8.20, under twos: free

Open all year round Bocketts Farm is the perfect place for kids to let off steam whatever the weather: as well as outdoor animals and play areas there’s also covered barns with plenty of room for them to run around to their heart’s content.

Indoors you’ll find ride on tractors, a large soft play barn (with tables and highchairs where you can eat your own picnic), wooden cows to milk and Little Hoppington, an indoor village for small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and rats (check out the rat in the wheel – Little B was transfixed).

You can also see goats being milked at set times throughout the day and pet the animals – the look on BB’s face here is a picture!

Outside there’s regular pig racing (apparently pigs love the rain so this is never called off), pony rides (for an additional cost), a barn where you can feed goats, sheep and cows and stamp your animal ‘passport’ and also see the farm’s latest additions, which in autumn include piglets (I really felt for the sow – look at those nipples!)

In fine weather there’s also a huge outdoor play area which includes pillow-like trampolines and a twirly whirly slide.

We were there for a good four hours and having taken our own picnic (there’s a food barn where you can buy hot & cold food too) and because there was not only £1 off each ticket at the gate because of the bad weather but free food to feed the animals too (usually £1 a bag) I think it was good value for money.

My top tips: Wear wellies and check the website before you travel – there’s often money-off vouchers for cheaper entry.

Bocketts Farm is open every day from 10am to 5.30pm excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s day.

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