‘Heavenly’ County Durham farm is ‘the best day out’

Family-run Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester offers hands-on experiences with the animals and is winning rave reviews.

The site has earned 521 ‘excellent’ ratings on TripAdvisor and has been repeatedly praised as an ‘award-winning farm attraction of the year.’

Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester won two honours at the 2022 National Farm Attraction Network Awards, including Farm Attraction of the Year. (Image: NQ)

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “If it was any better I’d be in heaven.

“The whole farm experience should be number one on your bucket list – it’s clean and the staff work tirelessly every day pulling out all the right stops and keeping your little ones happy.”

Animals and activities at Hall Hill Farm

Visitors can meet and feed sheep, goats, donkeys, llamas, Highland cattle, rabbits, and chicks, with petting sessions and bottle-feeding lambs in season.

There are also tractor-trailer rides, a barrel train, bouncy pillows, crazy golf, indoor soft play and outdoor adventure areas.

Another visitor called it “probably the best day out we’ve ever been on.”

They said: “What a wonderful place for families with young children.

“The staff welcome on arrival was second to none.

“The food wasn’t bad for a children’s farm.

“So many activities and so many animals, it was difficult to know where to start.”

Accessibility, facilities, tickets and opening times

It is designed for prams and wheelchairs, with accessible paths, baby-changing, a café, a gift shop and picnic spots.

Hall Hill Farm, near Lanchester. (Image: NQ)

Another reviewer said: “Bring a picnic for sunny days, it’s a wonderful place for kids to enjoy the countryside, learn about animals, and run around.”

Hall Hill Farm holds national accolades for education, alongside VisitEngland Gold and Welcome awards for its visitor experience.

Adult tickets cost £13.50, child tickets cost £12.50, and children aged one and under go free.

It is open every day from 10.30am to 5pm.

Hall Hill Farm first opened to the public in 1981 and recently completed its biggest development for its 45th anniversary, adding new animal barns and a Playbarn Café.

The attraction welcomed more than 100,000 visitors last year, reflecting its growth from the lambing event it began as.

In 2025, it was named Large Farm Attraction of the Year and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the North East England Tourism Awards.