Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/4-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183214" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/4-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/4-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/4-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/4-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hogshaw Farm &amp; Wildlife Park is located in 44 acres of beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside, pretty much equidistant from Milton Keynes, Bicester and Aylesbury. Hit Waddesdon and hang a right – it&#8217;s three miles up the road from the Rothschilds&#8217; stately. Once you&#8217;re there, the hustle of big-town life feels far away. The vibe here is about countryside living and getting back to nature, a place where children can roam safely around the grounds and follow trails off the well-beaten tracks. The watchwords here are the three &#8216;c&#8217;s: community, conservation and countryside. The idea is that introducing an element of hands-on fun into outdoor play will educate children to become the custodians of our natural world – all while letting off a healthy dose of steam during their adventures, of course. Here&#8217;s a flavour of what to expect at this fab local family attraction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-animals">Meet the animals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="804" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-10.09.11.png" alt="Hogshaw Farm " class="wp-image-183127" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-10.09.11.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-10.09.11-800x643.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-05-at-10.09.11-400x322.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hogshaw Farm is a conservation focused, rare breeds farm where the emphasis is on free-range family fun. Taking a hands-on approach to educating your brood about farm life, protecting the natural environment and enjoying the great outdoors, the farm provides daily opportunities to meet some of the animals up close and personal, including a daily flying display from the farm’s resident birds of prey.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/5-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183215" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/5-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/5-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/5-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/5-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Home to all sorts of feathered and furred creatures – including some endangered or ‘at risk’ species, such as the Scottish Wildcat – there is a full menagerie to explore. Come along to cuddle a goat kid, pet a rabbit or groom a donkey – there’s always someone looking for a good scratch behind the ears. As you’d expect, Hogshaw’s birthday parties are a hit; it also offers private animal encounters for groups of up to six.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/3-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/3-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/3-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/3-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/3-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All the animals are adorable – but the cuteness biscuit has to be taken by the Spring lambs. This year the team at Hogshaw have fostered some orphan lambs who need regular feeding – and you can help at one of the bottle-feeding sessions running this month. Come and give them their breakfast milk or elevenses (and no, you can&#8217;t take one home as a pet!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indoor-and-outdoor-play">Indoor and outdoor play</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/10.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183220" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/10.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/10-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/10-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/10-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whatever the weather, there&#8217;s plenty of room for little ones to roam here: as mentioned above, Hogshaw Farm is set in idyllic rural green space, with 44 acres of easily accessible animal paddocks, nature discovery trails, and a walled garden and greenhouse all waiting to be explored. Get in amongst the herd in the walkthrough goat and chicken enclosures, then let the kids go wild in the all-weather outdoor play zone – from pedal Go-Karts to bouncy pillows, a carousel swing and sand and water play, there&#8217;s enough free-range fun to keep even the grumpiest farmer happy. If it&#8217;s bucketing down, take shelter in the Animal Barn, the cosy Creature Corner, or the indoor soft play area. Go on, grab a slice of cake from the café or browse the on-site Farm Shop stuffed to the gills with nature-inspired treats, toys and wares from local producers. You&#8217;ve earned it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-school-s-out-activities">School&#8217;s out activities</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/6-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183216" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/6-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/6-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/6-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/6-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Kids going stir crazy in the school holidays? Bundle them out of the house for a sanity-saving day out at Hogshaw Farm, because when school&#8217;s out they come into their own here with seasonal events designed to keep the kids happy for hours. Even better, the extra activities are all included in the regular admission ticket so you don&#8217;t have to shell out twice. This Feb half term (15-23 Feb) Hogshaw Farm is hosting a pop-up cinema called The Wild Cinema, with two daily screenings of family animation <em>The Wild Robot</em>. Pass the (free) popcorn and settle down in the Messy Play Barn to be soothed by the voice of Bill Nighy as barnacle goose Longneck.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/9-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-183329" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/9-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/9-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/9-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/9-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Over the year, the programme changes seasonally. Look out for Spring on the Farm in the Easter holidays, when there&#8217;ll be a two-week celebration of all the new life, with bouncy Spring lambs and bottle-feeding, cute new chicks hatching, new goat kids, and a special appearance from the Easter Bunny. Then in May half term it&#8217;s the turn of the inventive Hogfest, an interactive circus show with a countryside fete vibe. Roll up to the mini Big Top to have a go at traditional circus tricks, from spinning a diablo to riding a unicycle. Come October half term it&#8217;s time to enrol at the Hogshaw School of Witchcraft &amp; Wizardry, which has a pleasing Hogwarts ring to it. Spooky Halloween fun like potion-making lessons using natural plants, encounters with creepy creatures (think giant snails and millipedes), and pumpkin carving will keep the kids spellbound. Expelliarmus boredom! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summer-at-hogshaw-farm">Summer at Hogshaw farm</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/8-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183218" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/8-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/8-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/8-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/8-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And so the biggest holiday of them all – the loooong summer break. Well, here&#8217;s a top tip: Hogshaw Farm sets up a splash pool in the hottest months, providing a 60cm-deep bathing spot to cool off when it&#8217;s scorching. Throw in tractor trailer rides in the top fields, and you could fin yourself something of a repeat visitor in the summer break. Or go all in and book in to one of the summer holiday camps on the farm. Who needs Spain?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-father-christmas">Meet Father Christmas</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/7-1.jpg" alt="Hogshaw Farm" class="wp-image-183217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/7-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/7-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/7-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/7-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And finally: let&#8217;s not forget Christmas. At this time of year, Santa channels the farmyard spirit by setting up his grotto in a red tractor, so children can clamber aboard to meet the jolly man in the red suit before continuing through to the toy workshop in a teepee to receive an early Xmas gift. Christmas activities like gingerbread decorating and planting a (mini) Christmas tree in a pot continue the festive fun – oh, and did we mention there are reindeer here all year round too? They&#8217;re not just for Christmas, y&#8217;know.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://hogshawfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hogshaw Farm &amp; Wildlife Park</a> is at Claydon Road, Hogshaw, MK18 3LA. Tel: 01296 670444 or email info@hogshawfarm.co.uk. It&#8217;s open Weds to Sun in term time, and daily in school holidays and on Bank Holidays, from 10am to 5.30pm. <a href="https://hogshawfarm.co.uk/times-prices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Day entry</a> for adults and children aged 2-18 is £10.50 to £15.50, and under-2s are free. Annual membership from £75.</em></p>


Animal farm! Up close and personal with Hogshaw Farm in Bucks

You may also like