Monday 19 June 2017

Acorn Farm | Our Day Out



I was recently asked if I'd like to spend the afternoon at Acorn Farm*, and as I am a massive animal lover I jumped at the chance. So on Tuesday 23rd May 2017, Phil and I popped in our car and took a drive into Knowsley to spend the day with some animals. This is how we got on...


 - How priceless and funny is that above picture please?!

Acorn Farm* is a community project which began in 1985 on 4 hectares of derelict ground on an industrial estate in Knowsley, Merseyside with just 1 rabbit, 2 gerbils, and 1 employee. The farm was started as a therapy project for local people with disabilities. It has since developed into the award-winning and multifaceted charity that it is today. Their aim is to provide a high quality and affordable environmental, leisure and educational attraction for the local community. People with learning disabilities continue to play a large role in all that they do. Acorn Farm *is a working farm as well as a visitor attraction and educational resource.

They have a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and Day Service users, who all work together to keep the farm running smoothly. We believe that everyone has a valued social role within their community and they are proud to have individuals of different ages and abilities working together as a team in all aspects of running the farm. Acorn Farm* is open seven days per week, providing employment for thirty-four staff as well as day service placements for people with disabilities who help to run the farm during the week and volunteering opportunities for young people from the local community during the weekends.

Acorn Farm* is a registered charity and they try to keep their admission and other charges to a minimum to ensure that everyone is able to access their services regardless of their level of disposable income with all money made used to improve the farm’s facilities. Costing only £2.50 per adult and £1.50 per child, it's the perfect place to have a day out even if you're on a budget.





Once we arrived at the farm, we parked our car in their parking lot and headed inside for our tickets. We were then given a sticker each, a map to follow, two bags of animal food; one for cows, goats and sheep and another for the ducks, hens, and chickens and some apples and grapes for the pigs then we headed off to find, feed and stroke some animals.

The first animals we came across were the guinea pigs and rabbits, then the goats, then the pigs, then the chickens... and well I won't bore you with all of the other animals there but I will spoil the fact that there were meerkats! MEERKATS! Real life meerkats!! How amazing is that?! I was so fascinated by them, but they were adorable and I seriously wanted to take one home with me.

When we'd finished the tour of the animals we headed into the cafe for some food. Acorn Farm's* selection for food is wonderful serving a range of daily specials, homemade meals, desserts, snacks, and drinks. They have spacious disabled toilets facilities too which I love! I had a yummy cheese sandwich and orange juice and Phil munched on some beans on toast with a can of coke. You don't have to have some food in the cafe either, you're more than welcome to bring your own packed lunch or picnic and sit in their outdoor picnic area facing one of the two awesome children's play area's.




Another amazing thing about Acorn Farm* is that they off animal sponsorships where you can sponsor an animal from as little as £10 right up to £50 (depending on the animal of your choice). You will then receive a certificate of sponsorship and a photo of your chosen animal, plus your name will be added to their Roll of Honour too! I know it's something I am doing to be doing for sure and I think everyone else should too.

Acorn Farm's* disability features and access were amazing and perfect for anyone in a wheelchair, someone with a walking stick or someone who just can't walk far without taking short breaks as they have benches scattered around the whole farm everywhere so you'll definitely be able to take a rest whenever you need too. Something else I really loved was how clean and tidy the whole farm was - it really is the perfect place to go for a day out no matter what your age.

All in all, Acorn Farm* was amazing and I can't wait to go back there again soon! If I haven't sold you on the place already then get yourself down there for a day out because you really won't regret it!

With love, Alisha Valerie. x

24 comments:

  1. The photos made me smile! Loved this blogpost buddy

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    1. Thank you so much. That really means a lot! πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  2. Aw this looks like such a fun day out! Plus it's super affordable, wow!
    Hayley X
    Lifethroughtsg.com

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    1. It really is, I loved it so much! πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  3. I love the first photo, made me giggle! This sounds like a great place for a day out. Meerkats are amazing, I'm also impressed that they let you take your own picnic, some places force you to buy their own food.

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    1. I know, it's silly! But omg it was such a wonderful day. I adored it all so much πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  4. Awww I love places like these! Really impressed with their disabled-friendly attitude and lower admission charges. Excellent post!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment lovely. It really is a wonderful place to visit. πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  5. This looks like such a fab day out! There's a farm like this near me and I love it there - we've been going since I was a little kid. I think every single person in my area has been there as a kid at least once!

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    1. That is so wonderful, what farm is it babe? I'm always wanting to take trips and explore new places especially if there are animals there haha! Thank you
      for your comment, πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  6. that first photo is hilarious! sounds like you had a great day out, this is deffo a place my little brother would enjoy! x

    G

    www.teawithgi.com

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    1. Haha glad you liked it babe, it's my favourite one from the whole day. Thank you for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  7. I've not been to a farm in years! That first photo is hilarious, and it looks likr you had such a good time!xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush

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    1. Thanks for your commet lovely, it really was a wonderful day πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  8. Replies
    1. I really did babe, thanks for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  9. Looks like you've had a lovely day, haven't been to a farm in the longest time!

    Gabija | everylittlethingblog.weebly.com

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    1. I recommend going to one babe, they're so wonderful and a lovely day out. πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  10. Hahaha those goats in the main picture did make me giggle! They're such funny animals! It sounds like a wonderful place where the animals are so well looked after, and it's great that their disabled access is so good too!

    Abbey πŸ˜‡ www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk

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    1. It really is a wonderful place babe. I can't recommend it enough! Thank you for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  11. Hahaha great post, loving the first photo as well as all the others! Sounds like a great day out!

    Jessica & James | foodandbaker.co.uk / foodandbakertravels.co.uk

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    1. Thank you for your comment! It really was one of the best days πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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  12. This looks like a great little farm, all your photos are great and the animals all look so happy. The disabled access sounds great too and super friendly for everyone x

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    1. I really loved every minute of it. Thanks for your comment beautiful πŸŒΈπŸ’—

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