Norwood Farm

Norwood Farm is an organic rare breeds farm close to Bath. The farm is an ideal place to visit with small children, who will love the opportunity to feed the animals - buy a bag of feed for 40p at the entrance, and wander around the farm feeding the eager sheep and goats, who will come trotting to the fences to greet their visitors and daintily eat from the palm of their hands.

The species here include various native breeds of sheep, goats, pigs and cattle, mostly kept in small fields with pathways between them. The animals are used to being fed and petted. Information boards provide descriptions, history and interesting facts about the breeds: for example, Gloucester Old Spot pigs used to have more spots in the past, and live in orchards on windfalls, while North Ronaldsay sheep in the Orkneys live mostly on seaweed.

By the farm entrance there is a cafe serving teas, cakes and hot meals and a small farm shop selling organic produce (local meats and preserves, and various organic brands). Outside there are tables, picnic benches, and two gardens where children can play.

Norwood Farm is open from March to September, and admission costs £5 (concessions available). Paths are mostly level and grassy, and easy to follow with pushchairs. An optional woodland walk is rougher terrain, calling for sturdier footwear.

Norwood Farm is just outside the Somerset village of Norton St Philip, six miles south of Bath. It can be reached by Faresaver bus number 267 (the Bath - Frome service), which runs hourly on weekday daytimes - there is a stop right by the farm's gateway. It's then a bit of a walk down the farm's tarmac access lane. If you are driving, take the B3110 from Bath towards Norton St Philip. Norwood Farm is a turning on the left just before you the village, indicated by a large sign. Drive along the farm lane until you reach the car park, which is a short distance from the entrance.

> More Bath days out