Kent with Kids: Rare Breeds Centre Review, Woodchurch

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If you’re a local, or visiting Kent with the kids, then the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch is a great place for a family day out. It’s such a lovely farm park and it’s got everything from adorable animals, to play areas, tractor rides and woodland walks – it’s somewhere you can easily spend a full day. We’ve been to the Rare Breeds Centre lots of times so I’ve included old and new photos in this review (I had to throw in a few of when the kids were super little and cute!), as well as everything that you need to know about this adorable attraction in the Kent countryside.

Visit: Multiple visit dates (Updated January 2025)

Where is the Rare Breeds Centre?

The Rare Breeds Centre is in Woodchurch, near Ashford, Kent. It’s easy to reach by car, with plenty of parking on-site which is free. If you’re travelling via public transport, you can get a train to Ashford International and then take a taxi or bus to the centre, but it’s definitely easier to reach it by car.

What is there to do at the Rare Breeds Centre?

As I mentioned above, there’s lots of things to do at the Rare Breeds Centre – it’s not just a farm – there’s a lot on offer to keep the kids busy, as well as seasonal events and activities too. Here’s what you’ll want to do during your visit:

Meet the animals: The farm is home to rare and traditional British breeds including: pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, horses and rabbits. The kids can get stuck in stroking lots of the animals – Finn and Lola adore the rabbits, goats and pigs. They also do pig racing at the Rare Breeds Centre (I think over the summer months) which is always good fun.

Enjoy the soft play: The Rare Breeds Centre has a soft play area for younger ones, which is great for hiding out in the event of bad weather – it’s included with the ticket price but you can also just visit the soft play at a cheaper rate if you’re not looking to access the rest of the site.

Have fun in the outdoor play areas: The playgrounds are perfect for kids who love to run, climb and explore! There are a few different play areas, which helps for busier times of year, and these also cater to different ages of children too. My kids have always loved the tunnels – and would crawl around for hours inside when they were younger. The woodland obstacle course is great for older children.

Look out for seasonal events: The activities/facilities on offer change with each season – so have a good look on their website before you visit to get a good idea of what to expect. The butterfly tunnel opens annually each May, featuring both native and tropical butterflies.
Take a tractor ride: A trip to the Rare Breeds Centre wouldn’t be complete without a tractor ride and, as the site is large, it’s a handy way to get around too for those with younger kids.

What age is the Rare Breeds Centre suitable for?

I’m a bit conflicted on this one, as my two become big kids when we visit the Rare Breeds Centre. 😂 Really, I would say it’s best suited to children around age 10 and under, but we met friends there fairly recently and the kids still played and got filthy, and they adored the animals. There’s definitely more on offer for younger ones, but if your kids are happy to get stuck in with the farm then older ones can get something from it too. Just make sure you bring some wellies and a change of clothes as it can get very muddy!

What facilities are there at the Rare Breeds Centre?

As well as there being lots to do, there’s a restaurant (and other places where you can buy snacks) on-site. But there are also plenty of places to have a picnic, including an indoor barn so you can warm up in the winter or hide out from the rain if need be. There are also plenty of toilets, plus hand-washing stations for the kids to use after they’ve stroked the animals, as well as a gift shop.

How much are tickets for the Rare Breeds Centre – is it good value for money?

If you’ll enjoy a full day at the Rare Breeds Centre then I think it’s pretty good value for money – it’s also run by a charity so the funds help support people in Kent with learning difficulties making it money well spent. Ticket prices for 2025 are: Adults: £15.75 / Children: £13.50 / Under 3s: Free / Family ticket: £50. If you’re a local, and you plan to visit more than once a year, it might also be worth considering an annual membership for unlimited visits. You can also purchase home-education passes at a reduced rate. Opening times vary with the seasons, so check their website before you visit.

Also, look out for seasonal events at the Rare Breeds Centre to make your visit even more fun – including things like pumpkin picking in October, a Christmas Grotto & festive activities over the winter, Easter egg hunts and lambing season in Spring. It’s always worth checking their website before visiting to see what’s on.

Useful information for your visit:

Website: www.rarebreeds.org.uk
Pets: No dogs allowed, due to the animals on site.
Parking: Free
Facilities: Restaurant, snacks, free parking, toilets, picnic areas, gift shop.
Address: Rare Breeds Centre, Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent, TN26 3RJ
For up-to-date opening times and prices, please check their website.