It’s school holiday . . . good news for the kids but not so much for their parents who now have to figure out how to keep them busy this holiday! Just take them to Holmeleigh Farmyard, writes Tanya van Zyl, who recently visited the farm with her family…
They describe themselves as the little farm with the big heart and everyone who has ever visited Holmeleigh Farmyard will wholeheartedly agree!
I recently took my daughter, Emily (4), my nephew Logan de Reuck (8) and my sister, Liezl de Reuck there.
We started off by visiting the touch farm.
Here you come across many different animals and you have the chance to feed them, interact with them and learn a lot about the animals, thanks to informative boards that is put up at each animal camp.
The children were told to give the yellow feed to the feathered animals and the brown feed to the furry animals. At first Emily wasn’t sure what to expect when she held her hand out to the sheep to give them some food, but when she realised they were quite gentle, she relaxed more and started enjoying feeding all the other animals!
Little Logan was brave (and eager) and fed all the animals with confidence . . . except for the ostriches, and when his mommy showed him to rather hold the bowl of corn for them, she herself got a big fright when they pecked the food at full force, with corn flying all over the place, as a result.
After all the animals were fed – the pigs were the most disgusting and amusing at the same time – the kids each got to ride a horse.
They also offer tractor rides for visitors – both young and old. It was freezing cold on the day of our visit, so after all the activities, we sat down at their tea garden and enjoyed a delicious cup of hot chocolate and the most amazing lemon meringue and carrot cake.
I’d definitely go back, just for the sweet treats. It was a wonderful, fun-filled day, despite the cold weather and it really is the perfect location if you are looking for wholesome and affordable family fun!
What you need to know:
- Address: Grey Dawn Road, off Kragga Kamma Road
- Phone: 041 379 2901 or 072 324 4059
- Open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 16:30 (closed on Mondays).
- Costs: R50 per person (children aged 2 years and under enter free) and R10 for a bucket of feed. Enquire with Holmeleigh Farmyard about the cost of the tractor and horse rides.
- They have a tea garden where parents can sit and relax while the children play in the play area. They serve the most delicious sweet treats, like tarts and cakes, as well as breakfasts (all day) and light lunches at very reasonable prices.
- They also host birthday parties and offer inclusive party packages, which includes feeding the animals, a choice of pony or tractor ride, full access to the playground and jumping castle and they do the catering.
WIN! WIN! WIN!
PE Express is giving away vouchers for two families of four people (2 adults and 2 children) to visit Holmeleigh Farmyard. It includes entry, a feeding bowl and a breakfast. Go to our Facebook page to enter.
