Over 20 years ago, the owners started inviting homeless youngsters into their home. They needed something for them to do, so they started helping out a neighbour by collecting eggs. They then built their own chicken sheds and it seems to have gone from strength to strength. They now work with both the youth offending service and the education authority.
Highfield Happy Hens now has a farm shop, tea rooms, childrens play areas, crazy golf, animals to feed and you can even collect your own eggs!
Unfortunately when we got up today we were faced with the typical British summer - it was chucking it down! We debated on whether to still go or not, but in the end we donned our wellies and waterproofs and off we went.
 | |
| There are advantages of the rain of course! |
When we arrived we walked into a very welcoming looking shop, which had lots of lovely looking fresh produce, as well as a range of childrens toys. We bought some animal food which was very reasonably priced at 50p for a bag. The tea room was clean and tidy and they had some lovely looking cakes, although we had bought a picnic!
Due to the rain we headed straight to the indoor play area where there were various toys and climbing frames - Sophie particularly liked the tractor sit on ride.
The rain soon eased off and we took this as our cue to head on towards the animals, we passed pigs and sheep then headed up to an indoor barn, which had pigs, goats, lambs and calves which could be fed. Further up the track there were various different breeds of chickens, before reaching the top of the path with lots of free range chickens in a field which we fed. Sadly the weather didn't allow us much time outdoors, so we headed up another track to the big barns where we could collect some eggs. I think this was definitely the highlight of Sophies day - she loved looking for and collecting the eggs! You then take your eggs to the shop to pay for them and they are boxed up.
We then headed back to the indoor play area, where there are a few picnic benches and ate our lunch. It was a shame the weather stopped us using the outdoor play and picnic areas, and spending more time looking at the animals, but we will definitely be back again, hopefully when the weather is better.
Click here to visit the Highfield Happy Hens website
Lovely post, hun. Sounds like a fabulous place and such a great cause. Amy would love it x
ReplyDeleteWell if you are ever up this way I'll take you both ;) x
DeleteThat's a deal ;) x
DeleteWhat a lovely family and a great way to give something back to the community. Glad it made a good outing for you despite the weather. We have been spoilt in Cornwall of late, I think we need to share our sunshine! I love your last photo, your little girl is being so careful with her egg. Thank you for linking up to Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to be sharing that sunshine! Although I can't complain, we had a lovely weekend with the weather. She really loved collecting the eggs and they were really reasonably priced too, my friends older children were really excited about eating the eggs they had collected! Thanks for hosting :)
DeleteHope the weathers better when we go. Sound really good x
ReplyDeleteYeah it was great, Chloe will love it x
DeleteThis looks really lovely, and I especially like how you can collect the eggs - my 3 year old would love that bit, too! I've just looked at their website and it's actually not that far from us, so thanks for giving us a lovely day trip we must do :-)!
ReplyDeleteHave a look on the Derby Groupon site, this place was on there the other day, in fact I will be going again a week on Wednesday. Enjoy!
DeleteOoh, thank you! Off to Groupon now....!
DeleteHope you found it, let me know what you think of it :)
DeleteWhat a fantastic place! and it looks so much fun too :-)
ReplyDeleteIts great fun and really educational too! :)
DeleteThis looks like such a fantastic place to go. What a great idea to start it and it sounds like it's developed really well :). Despite the rain, it looks like you had a good day. Thank you so much for linking to PoCoLo x
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Its such a great place x
DeleteThat is great that you can collect your own eggs. Weather is being odd isn't it - bet you'd never have guessed the weather was even like that today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with #MotivationalMonday
Yes the weather is crazy! We are going again next Weds, so hoping for a nicer day then!
Delete