Name: Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Rating: 5.0

Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Ferne Animal Sanctuary Charity, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Wambrook, Chard TA20 3DH, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

Description

Ferne Animal Sanctuary are you hunting for the perfect family outing that combines fresh air, wide-open spaces, and incredible animal encounters? Look no further than this delightful haven, which easily ranks among the best things to do with kids in Somerset. As a fully operational animal sanctuary, this lovely destination offers an educational, heart-warming experience where your little ones can meet rescued residents ranging from fluffy rabbits to majestic horses.

Planning your family budget is straightforward here, with standard admission prices starting from £7.95. The venue also offers various family bundles and annual memberships that provide excellent value for money if you plan on returning throughout the year.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this peaceful refuge ticks all the boxes. It offers a rare chance for children to understand animal welfare first-hand while burning off energy across acres of beautiful Somerset countryside.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Learning: Children can engage with informative signage and interactive educational trails tailored to teach them about different species.
Sensory Play and Nature Walks: The site features beautifully maintained nature trails that double as a brilliant sensory play experience for younger children.
Ethical Animal Encounters: Every resident has been rescued, providing an educational day out focused on care, respect, and animal welfare.

What to See

The Rehoming Barns: Watch how dedicated staff care for domestic pets like dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes.
The Equine Paddocks: Walk alongside wide, open fields to watch majestic rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys graze and play.
The Small Furries Zone: A massive hit with toddlers, this area allows kids to look closely at cheeky chinchillas, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
The Farmyard Precinct: Meet traditional farm animals, including goats, pigs, and sheep, each with their own unique rescue story and personality.
The Duck Pond and Waterfowl Wetland: A serene, peaceful spot where children can sit quietly and watch a diverse variety of rescued geese, ducks, and birds.

Facilities

Toilets & Changing: Clean, accessible toilets and dedicated baby changing spaces are available at the main visitor hub.
Food & Drink: An on-site cafe serves up hot drinks, local Somerset cakes, light lunches, and plenty of child-friendly snack boxes.

Pro-Tips:

Beat the Crowds: Arrive right at opening time or after 2:00 PM on weekends when the morning rush has settled down.
Pack Your Wellies: Because this is a genuine country sanctuary, paths can get quite muddy after a classic British rainstorm.
Footwear and Safety: Ensure children wear closed-toe shoes around the paddocks, and encourage hand-washing at the various stations after viewing the animals.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, it is absolutely perfect for younger children and toddlers. The sanctuary offers wide, easy-to-walk paths, an indoor small animals zone where they can see rabbits up close, and a lovely outdoor play area designed specifically for younger steps.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend between three and four hours exploring the paddocks, walking the nature trails, and stopping for a bite to eat at the cafe. It is a wonderfully relaxed day out that does not feel rushed or overwhelming.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is the sanctuary’s own official visitor car park located directly at the main entrance gates. Parking is completely free for all ticket holders, and there are plenty of dedicated spaces for blue badge holders close to the reception.
What are some cheap indoor activities in Somerset if it rains? If the Somerset weather turns wet during your trip, the sanctuary features indoor small animal housing and a covered cafe zone. For entirely indoor options nearby, you can explore the Chard Museum or head to indoor play centres in neighboring towns.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The incredibly peaceful, non-commercialised atmosphere that allows children to connect genuinely with nature.
Highly passionate, friendly, and knowledgeable staff who are always happy to share rescue stories.
Well-maintained pathways that make navigating with a pushchair stress-free.
Excellent value for money compared to massive commercial theme parks.

What Visitors Don't Like

The site can get incredibly muddy during winter or rainy periods, making strong footwear essential.
Because it is a true sanctuary rather than a commercial zoo, some animals may choose to rest out of direct sight during hotter parts of the day.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The sanctuary is home to a wonderfully diverse array of over 300 animal residents across several dedicated zones:
The Equine Area: Home to horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules.
The Farm Yard: Featuring cheeky Pygmy goats, Wiltshire Horn sheep, commercial pigs, and large farm birds.
The Avian Wetland: Home to multiple breeds of rescued ducks, geese, and swans.
The Small Animals Unit: Housing indoor residents like ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and giant rabbits.
The Nature Trail Wood: A designated wildlife trail focusing on native British bugs, birds, and flora.

Beyond the Main Attraction:

If you want to extend your day out in the local area, the historic market town of Chard sits just three miles away, offering excellent local parks and independent cafes. The stunning Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds the sanctuary, providing incredible hiking paths and family picnic spots.

New for 2026:

The sanctuary has recently updated its outdoor interactive play zones and refreshed its main visitor path network to ensure improved pushchair and wheelchair accessibility across all paddocks for the 2026 season.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Day pass

Adult: £6.95
Child (Age 5–16): £4.50
Children Under 5: Free
Family (2 Adults + Up to 3 Children): £21.00

Pricing URL: https://www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org/visit-the-sanctuary/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The venue offers bespoke outdoor-focused birthday party options that include animal viewing walks and reserved spaces in the cafe area for birthday cake and snacks.

Monday – Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Address: Ferne Animal Sanctuary Charity, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Wambrook, Chard TA20 3DH, UK

Post Code: TA20 3DH

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset and Bristol

By Car: The sanctuary is located just outside Wambrook. If driving, navigate via the A30 or A303 towards Chard, and follow the brown tourist signs leading directly to the sanctuary lanes.
Car Parking: There is a large, free on-site gravel car park with dedicated accessible parking spaces located right next to the main visitor entrance.
By Bus: Local bus routes serve the main town of Chard. From Chard town centre, the sanctuary is a quick three-mile taxi ride away.
By Tube / Train: The nearest main rail links are located at Axminster or Crewkerne stations, followed by a local bus or taxi connection to the sanctuary site.