The family-run farm shop at Manor Farm Barn has been going strong for 35 years. As well as selling home-grown and local produce, it also hosts different seasonal events. We have never visited before but after punching the postcode into the sat nav, it was easy to find just off the A2.
There were a few parking spaces in front of the shop but then I realised there was a big sign directing me around the corner to a massive car park with loads of space.
We then headed back to the shop to pick up our trail leaflets. These cost £7.50 per child – adults don’t need to pay anything.
We were then directed across the road (be careful crossing here, it is a fast road), through a metal gate, past the duck pond and into the woodland (look for the red arrows showing you the way).
The leaflet actually included three challenges, which are in two different areas of the woodland.
There was a scavenger hunt, where you had to find a series of numbered boards between the trees with woodland characters on them and write down the number of each one you found.
There is also Farmer John’s Dinosaur Maze Experience where you had to “navigate your way through the winding woodland paths and see how many of our mega beasts you can spot”.
And the third challenge on the sheet was dotted along the route of the scavenger hunt – a tick list of tasks such as woodland maths, a balance beam, and getting little ones to hug a tree.
There were also lots of things to see along the way – I lost count of the number of boards where you could pose for a photo and Millie insisted on stopping at every one.
There was also a tyre swing, a little pallet maze (great for younger children), a weather station, and a junk music wall. So the hunt took us ages and it was a nice walk through the shady woods with trees to climb and butterflies to spot.
We found the second part of the challenge at the end of the scavenger hunt. It is described as a maze so you might be picturing getting lost among tall hedges but it is a walk-through experience with things to see along the way.
Children have to find boards dotted around picturing things dinosaurs like to eat – on each board one of the letters is in red which you have to write down on your activity sheet to spell out a phrase.
There were some great dinosaur displays on the way around too and the kids enjoyed spotting different things and posing for photos.
After completing the trails, we headed back to the farm shop across the road to collect the kids’ prizes.
We were expecting a small packet of sweets or a sticker but Max and Millie were delighted when they got to pick a prize from a shelf of toys. Both chose a bouncy ball on a string which they were then playing with for the rest of the afternoon.
We then went across the road again to the duck pond area to have the picnic we had brought with us. There are a few benches here, space on the grass for a picnic blanket, a small wooden fort and a tractor for children to play on, and a lovely view.
After lunch, we fed the ducks and the children played with their new toys. The sun was out and no one wanted to leave!
The summer trail is on every day until the end of the school holidays (Sunday, August 31) so you’ve got two more weeks to go along.
Make sure you allow enough time to complete the activities and return to the farm shop before it closes at 5pm Monday to Saturday and 4pm on Sundays.
Food and drink: You can take your own picnic, buy cold drinks or some treats from the farm shop (as well as all the fresh and local produce, it also sells ice-creams and pocket money toys) or pop into the pub next door (Manor Farm Barn).
Toilets: There are two toilets and an accessible toilet next to the farm shop.
Parking: Lots of free parking.
Cost: It was £7.50 per child and adults don’t have to pay.
Kids’ verdict: Millie gave it four stars. She said: “It was fun and I liked the dinosaur bit the best. There was lots of things to find in the woods.” Max: “The trail was good but more suited for younger children. I really liked the prize I got at the end.” ****
Location: Broadditch is a few minutes’ drive from the A2 so it was easy to find. Use postcode DA13 9PU.
Where should we head next? Let us know what family days out you think are the best in Kent. Email jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk
