News Beat
People ‘travelling across region for Big Sheep & Little Cow, Bedale
Big Sheep & Little Cow, located just outside the market town, has built a strong reputation as a place where children are encouraged to interact with animals rather than observe them.
The attraction currently holds a 4.4-star rating from more than 300 TripAdvisor reviews and has been named a Travellers’ Choice award winner, placing it among the top-rated attractions of its kind.
Unlike larger farm parks, Big Sheep & Little Cow operates on a smaller scale, with visits centred around guided farm tours, animal handling sessions and demonstrations led by staff.
Families regularly describe spending several hours on site, despite the attraction’s small size.
One recent visitor said they spent five hours at the farm with children aged between one and six, praising the “hands-on experiences” and describing the staff as “kind, patient and genuinely caring towards the animals”.
Staff are a recurring theme in reviews, with many visitors crediting them for making the experience “memorable”.
Parents of children with additional needs have also highlighted the farm’s inclusive approach, saying staff took time to “adapt activities” and “ensure children felt comfortable”.
In addition to animal experiences such as lamb feeding and small-animal handling, the attraction includes indoor and outdoor play areas, making it a popular choice regardless of the weather, according to reviews.
Soft play facilities, play barns, go-karts and seasonal activities help broaden its appeal beyond a traditional farm visit.
Big Sheep & Little Cow has also become a popular children’s party venue, with families praising the organisation of events, private party areas and structured farm tours that keep large groups engaged.
Several reviews describe parties held at the farm as the “best” their children have attended.
The attraction’s growing profile comes as Bedale continues to benefit from increased visitor numbers, driven by its railway heritage, independent shops and proximity to the Yorkshire Dales and A1(M).
Big Sheep & Little Cow is now regularly listed among the top things to do in Bedale, which has put Big Sheep & Little Cow firmly on the map as one of North Yorkshire’s most talked-about small attractions currently.
