Whirlow Hall Farm

Is it right for my child?

• Animals: the visit page says the Old Hen House holds small animals, with goats, ducks and sheep in the pens outside. It also mentions rare breed animals you may spot on walks around the farm.
• Weekends: the Old Hen House is described under Weekend Activities. The farm says it is closed mid-week so students can learn and care for the animals.
• Animal handling: weekend volunteers sometimes offer it, subject to availability.
• Feeding: you can buy animal feed in the farm shop. The farm asks you not to bring food from home for the animals, because it makes them sick.
• Play area: the visit page lists a play area. The farm’s play area risk assessment lists parental supervision and signs with recommended age limits. It allows a maximum of 4 children on the climbing frame.
• About the farm: Whirlow Hall Farm Trust is an educational charity founded in 1979. It supports young people facing mental health challenges and other difficulties.
• Sensory notes: it is a working farm with live animals and farm vehicles. The visitor pages do not mention quiet times or sensory guides.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Go Wednesday to Sunday between 9am and 4pm. The farm is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Visit at a weekend if you want the Old Hen House. It is closed mid-week, and occasionally closed for an hour at weekends for private children’s parties.
• Buy feed in the farm shop rather than bringing your own. The pages checked on 12 November do not give the feed price.
• Wash hands with soap and water after touching animals. The site risk assessment says hand-washing facilities are accessible in all areas of the farm.
• Reserve a cafe table if you plan to eat. The Barn Cafe recommends it, and same-day bookings are by phone.
• Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. The site risk assessment advises dressing for the conditions.

Prices and tickets

Everyday entry is free. The visit page says the farm does not charge an entry fee, with some exceptions for special events. Parking on site is also free, it says.

• Animal feed: sold in the farm shop. The pages checked on 12 November do not give a price. The feeding risk assessment says feed is only sold to adults, who are asked to supervise children while they feed the animals.
• Whirlow Christmas Fayre, 28 and 29 November 2026 only: on 12 November the ticket page listed adult tickets at £6 and child tickets at £0 for each day. It said tickets covered one day only and the fayre ran from 10am to 3pm each day.
• What the fayre page advertised for those two days: a Christmas market, festive food, a bar, live music and school choirs. It also listed meeting Santa in the farmhouse, festive crafts, face painting and toasting marshmallows by the fire pit. It did not say whether these cost extra.
• Tickets on the door: the FAQs say the website will state if an event has door tickets. Sold-out events have no further tickets.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Toilets and baby changing: the farm’s visitor pages do not mention them. Ask the farm before you travel if you need them.
• Pushchairs: the visitor pages do not describe paths or pushchair access. The risk assessment for event open days says visitors will be encouraged to leave pushchairs outside buildings.
• Hand washing: the site risk assessment says hand-washing facilities are accessible in all areas of the farm.
• Pregnancy: the site risk assessment advises pregnant women not to attend during lambing time.

Food and drink

The Barn Cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Its page lists breakfasts, sandwiches, changing specials, hot and cold drinks, cakes and deli items, plus a children’s menu. The cafe says it is dog friendly.

• Christmas closure: the cafe page says it is closed for Christmas from 21 December and reopens on Wednesday 6 January. That page does not say whether the rest of the farm closes too.
• Booking: the cafe recommends reserving a table. Its online form is a request, not a confirmed booking, and the team replies to confirm. For same-day tables, phone 0114 312 2511.
• Farm shop: it opens Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm. On 12 November its website offered Christmas trees and Christmas pre-orders.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, Whirlow Lane, Sheffield, S11 9QF.
• Road closure: on 12 November 2026 the home page said Broad Elms Lane was closed. It said the farm was open as usual, with access via Whirlow Lane.
• Parking: the visit page says there is free onsite parking at all times. The site risk assessment says the car park is closed in severe weather conditions.
• Buses: the farm’s pages do not give bus or train directions.
• Vehicles on site: this is a working farm. The site risk assessment says a speed limit is signed and visitors must not stand in front of or behind wheeled machinery.

When to visit

• Opening days: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm, for the farm, play area, cafe and shop. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Weekends: the Old Hen House is open, and volunteers sometimes offer animal handling.
• Christmas Fayre: on 12 November the farm listed it for Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026 only, 10am to 3pm, ticketed.
• Christmas and New Year: the Barn Cafe closes from 21 December and reopens on Wednesday 6 January. The visit page gives no Christmas arrangements for the farm itself, so check before you travel.
• Walks: the farm says there are many walks around it, with a map on site. Its site risk assessment says public footpaths are used at your own risk.

Frequently asked questions

Is Whirlow Hall Farm free?

Yes, for everyday visits. The farm says it does not charge an entry fee, with some exceptions for special events. On 12 November the farm listed the Christmas Fayre on 28 and 29 November 2026 as a ticketed event.

When is Whirlow Hall Farm open?

Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Barn Cafe closes for Christmas from 21 December and reopens on Wednesday 6 January.

Can children feed the animals at Whirlow Hall Farm?

Yes, with feed bought in the farm shop. The feeding risk assessment says feeding only happens when adequate staff supervision is available. Feed is only sold to adults, who should supervise children while feeding. Do not bring your own food for the animals.

Can you go into the animal pens?

Not on your own. The site risk assessment says no visitor may enter pens without the agreement and supervision of qualified staff. Parents may take their children into the Old Hen House without staff. The risk assessment for event open days says the public are not allowed into the animal pens.

Are dogs allowed at Whirlow Hall Farm?

The Barn Cafe says it is dog friendly. The farm’s visitor pages do not give a dog rule for the rest of the farm, so ask before you bring one.

Is Whirlow Hall Farm good for autistic children?

The visitor pages do not mention sensory guides, quiet times or other additional needs support for day visitors.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official visit, Barn Cafe, what’s on, FAQs and risk assessment pages of Whirlow Hall Farm Trust. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.