Quick answer
Piglets Adventure Farm, at Towthorpe near York, mixes farm animals with acres of outdoor play. On 12 November 2026 its opening calendar showed Magical Sleigh Rides on selected dates from 20 November to 24 December 2026. Apart from annual members, you need a sleigh ride ticket to visit in that period. Tickets are booked online in advance and cost £15.95 to £34.95 per passenger, depending on the date, or £9.95 for a baby under 1. Buggies cannot go on the sleigh or into the Woodland Village. The farm is closed from 25 December and reopens for February half term 2027.
Is it right for my child?
- The Christmas experience: check in at the Elf Airlines Departure Lounge and ride a shared sleigh to Santa’s Woodland Village. There you visit Santa in his grotto and choose a gift in his Toy Shop.
- New for 2026: a Gingerbread Factory show where every child decorates a gingerbread biscuit, an ice rink and reindeer in the Reindeer Terminal. Every ticket includes an ice skating session.
- Animals: sleigh ride tickets include the open areas of the farm, including the Animal Barn and Farmyard Trail.
- Santa is a group visit: everyone on your sleigh meets Santa together, up to 22 passengers including babies.
- Mostly outdoors: the ticket site says the experience is mostly outdoors, and the farm warns of some uneven ground. Some areas are undercover or heated.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book online before you go. Sleigh ride tickets are online only, and the farm cannot guarantee availability for walk-in visitors.
- Booking with friends or family? Everyone must book the same sleigh departure time. The farm cannot move guests between sleighs afterwards.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your sleigh time. Sleighs leave on time, and late arrivals may miss their flight with no rescheduling.
- Leave the buggy in the car and bring a baby carrier or sling.
- Pack warm coats, hats, gloves and wellies or sturdy waterproof footwear.
- Do not rely on cash, as the FAQ says the site is totally cashless.
Prices and tickets
Every passenger needs a paid sleigh ride ticket, including babies and carers. Prices depend on the date and time you choose:
- Under 1: £9.95 per baby. Babies sit on the knee of a paying adult and receive a special gift from Santa.
- Passengers: Low £15.95, Mid £23.95, High £32.95 or Peak £34.95. On 12 November the booking site listed child (1 to 16) and adult (17 plus) tickets in the same range.
- Booking fee: the booking site added £2.00 per order when we checked on 12 November 2026.
- Included: the Gingerbread Factory, an ice skating session and entry to the open areas of the farm. Adults get a glass of mulled wine in the Gingerbread Factory.
- Extra cost: professional photos with Santa. You can also take your own.
- Changes: tickets are non-refundable. Transfers to another date or time cost £10 and depend on availability.
- Annual members: 10% off sleigh ride tickets.
On 12 November 2026 the booking calendar showed £23.95 per child on 21 November and 10 December. It showed £34.95 on 5 December and £32.95 on 24 December. On 5 and 24 December, every remaining sleigh time showed only 1 or 2 spaces left.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- No buggies on the sleigh or in the Woodland Village, because of space and safety restrictions.
- Toilets and baby changing are at the Retail Shop, the Departure Lounge, Santa’s Woodland Village and the main farm facilities. Accessible toilets are also available.
Food and drink
Picnics are welcome, but please take rubbish home or use the bins. In Santa’s Woodland Village, the North Pole Pizza Co. serves pizzas, toasted sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, mulled wine, beer, ice cream and festive treats. The farm says options may vary through the season.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST, between Strensall Road and the A64.
- By car: about 15 minutes from the centre of York, says the farm.
- Parking: free on site for cars and coaches. The official pages do not mention Blue Badge bays.
- No bus: the farm is not on a bus route, so come by car or taxi.
When to visit
- Pre-Christmas closure: on 12 November the opening calendar showed the farm closed from 1 to 19 November 2026.
- Sleigh ride dates: that calendar showed Magical Sleigh Rides on selected dates from 20 November to 24 December 2026. It marked 24 November and 1, 8 and 15 December as closed.
- Calendars differ: on 12 November the booking calendar let us select 15 December. It did not offer 23 or 25 November, which the opening calendar lists. Check the booking calendar for your date.
- Daily times: on 12 November the opening calendar showed 9am to 7.30pm, but 9am to 2.30pm on 24 December. The lit Christmas experience stays open until 7.30pm on normal event days.
- The wider farm: two FAQ answers give farm access from 9am or from 9.30am. The Animal Barn and Farmyard Trail open at 10am. The wider farm closes at 4pm as it gets dark.
- Christmas Eve: the opening calendar showed a 2.30pm close, yet the booking calendar listed sleigh times up to 2.50pm. Check timings for that day with the farm.
- Later sleigh times: with a sleigh after 4pm, you miss the animals and outdoor play unless you arrive earlier in the day.
- Closed during the Christmas event: the Indoor Play Barn, Barrel Train Ride, Maize Maze, Beach Area, Tractor and Trailer Ride and Fairy Trail. Go karts, Bouncing Pillows and some other attractions may also close in poor weather.
- After Christmas: the farm is closed from 25 December and reopens for February half term 2027.
- Bad weather: if severe weather makes opening unsafe, the farm may cancel that day and refund bookings in full. It cannot guarantee you a new slot.
Additional needs and disability support
Piglets offers some official support, but not free carer tickets at the Christmas event.
- No free carer tickets for sleigh rides: every guest, including carers, needs a paid ticket.
- Access pass for other visits: a free Piglets Digital Access Pass, or a Nimbus Access Card, with the +1 symbol lets you book an Essential Companion ticket. Companions must be 14 or older.
- Proof: show the card or pass on arrival, or full prices apply. DLA, PIP or carers cards alone are no longer accepted.
- Wheelchair users: email info@pigletsadventurefarm.com before your sleigh ride visit with your booking reference, date and sleigh time, so the team can prepare.
- Not mentioned: the official pages do not mention a Changing Places toilet, relaxed sessions or a sensory guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Piglets Adventure Farm open at Christmas?
Yes, for its Magical Sleigh Rides. On 12 November 2026 the opening calendar showed selected dates from 20 November to 24 December. Non-members need a sleigh ride ticket. The farm is closed from 25 December until February half term 2027.
How much are the Piglets sleigh rides?
Passenger tickets cost £15.95, £23.95, £32.95 or £34.95, depending on the date and time. A baby under 1 costs £9.95. Tickets are non-refundable.
Can you take a pushchair to Piglets at Christmas?
Not on the sleigh or into the Woodland Village. The farm suggests a baby carrier or sling instead.
Can you just turn up at Piglets Adventure Farm?
Not in the Christmas season. Advance booking is essential, and only annual members can visit the farm without a sleigh ride ticket. Members must bring their membership ID.
Are dogs allowed at Piglets Adventure Farm?
No. The farm says it cannot allow dogs because of the number of animals on site.
Is Piglets Adventure Farm good for autistic children?
It has an access pass scheme with companion tickets, but carers pay at the Christmas event. Santa visits are shared with up to 22 passengers. The official pages do not mention relaxed sessions.
Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Piglets Adventure Farm pages for home, opening times, Magical Sleigh Rides, sleigh ride FAQs, sleigh ride tickets, FAQs, accessibility, memberships and find us. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
