Oakham Nub news has got 'up close' with Rutland Farm Park to find out all about the popular family attraction, how it became the success that it is today, and what the busy team have planned for the coming months. 

Headed up by owners and hands-on managers Clive and Julie, the farm has been a top spot for grownups and children since it reopened in 2017 after being closed for over a decade.

It brags a range of attractions and features, including a café, playpark, animal petting and feeding sessions, a selection of home and handmade and allergy-friendly goodies available at Daphne's tea room, holiday activities and a collection of rare breed animals. 

Sit inside or out at Daphne's tea room. Image credit: Nub News.

Rutland Farm Park first opened in 1974, when Clive's parents returned from Kenya to take over the business. 

Prior to this, it had been a beef farm, but Clive's father was passionate about education and decided that he wanted to teach local people about rural life. 

It thrived until 2001, but the foot and mouth outbreak forced the closure of the family-run business. It wasn't until 2017, when Clive and Julie's children encouraged the duo to open the gates of the farm to the public once more, that Rutland Farm Park became the attraction that we know and love today.

Now, the whole family are involved in the venture, with two of their children, Michael and Laura helping out with the website and social media aspects of the business, daughter Hazel providing constructive ideas and helping out in Daphne's tea room, and Famer Amy – as she is affectionately known by the team and visitors – running the farm itself.  

Clive explained: "We let Amy run it all now, and I just stick to running the tractors. Mind you, I have been at it since 1976, so it's probably time I took a rest in a nice heated tractor cab." 

Animals and visitors can enjoy acres of green fields. Image credit: Nub News.

However, it hasn't all been plain sailing for the family, who struggled to keep the farm going during the pandemic. 

Julie explained: "Covid was a nightmare, as we still had cattle to feed, farriers and bills to pay, animals to care for, and the staff had to be furloughed.

"There were only four of us running the farm through it all: us, Amy, and a wonderful graduate volunteer called Charlotte. We just kept saying, 'we have animals to love and we were in the countryside', which was a blessing. 

"Somehow, though, we made it through. We wouldn't have survived without donations from local people, and we are incredibly grateful for every penny and bale of hay sent our way."

Since then, the team have got back on their feet and have hosted some phenomenally busy events, from their Father's Day weekend, to Easter events, guinea pig petting sessions and Coronation celebrations.

They even welcomed a calf, born over the Coronation weekend. They named him MooSalah after farmer Amy's brother-in-law.  

On top of this, they are building a new entertainment centre so that they can run children's birthday parties, hen dos, school workshops and corporate events. 

Their new entertainment centre is nearly finished. Image credit: Nub News.

They will be officially launching the new venue at half-term, when they will be opening the doors to this shiny new complex to host their superhero sessions. 

Read more about these sessions here.

Julie said: "We have the tea rooms, but when we are busy in the summer, we need more space for private event hire, so this will be a great addition. We have already hosted parties, corporate and volunteer events, a hen do and even a christening."

Julie and Clive laughed: "We did have to kick the pigs out of their barn to create the entertainment centre."

The pigs didn't seem to mind though, as they now have a much larger enclosure - and have inspired the team to name the new party room 'The Pigsty'. 

The Pigsty will be open for bookings from 1 July, and you can contact the team on [email protected] or 01572 722122 to enquire.

Say hi to a range of rare breed animals when you visit. Image credit: Nub News.

The team have also welcomed new animals to the farm in recent months. 

After the sad passing of Mr Tom, they introduced Bridie, Bear, Drummer and Toffee to their heavy horse collection.

Every day that they are open to the public, they have also begun hosting guineapig cuddle sessions. These take place at 11am and are suitable for all ages.

New additions, Drummer and Toffee. Image credit: Nub News.

On top of their superhero sessions, the team have a busy agenda of events on the horizon, including:

• Wittering Airbase Family Day
• A Father's Day offer where dad goes free with a paying guest on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June 
• School holiday pony grooming
• New wood trails opening just in time for summer
• Summer activities 

Keep an eye on our What's On page to find out more about any and all upcoming events.

Pick up a keepsake to take home in their shop. Image credit: Nub News.

For the bigger children, the farm also welcomes Duke of Edinburgh students who need to tick off their volunteering hours and are passionate about animals and rural life. 

Julie added: "A former volunteer here has, this week, gone to the palace to accept her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award having completed her volunteering with us. 

"We also support agriculture students from Stamford and Brooksby looking to gain work experience, and would encourage young people to get in touch to find out more.

"It is so nice to watch the young workers grow and mature and become lovely young people who are heading off to uni – and they often come back and work during the holidays."

The team of 10 regular employees at the farm are looking forward to welcoming guests new and old in the busier summer months, both to the farm and tea rooms.

Don't forget, you can pop into Daphne's tea room to indulge in a refreshment, snack or locally-sourced treat at any time without paying entry to the farm itself.  This has made it a popular spot for taxi drivers, cyclists, and walkers passing by, on top of the farm park visitors. There is no need to book – just turn up and enjoy! 

You can pick up treats to take away at Daphne's too. Image credit: Nub News.

Julie concluded: "We are a real family here, both guests and staff, and we love what we do.

"Since we reopened we have had covid, bird flu, the hottest summers, coldest winters, so have had a lot to content with, but it is all worth it." 

Find out more about the family farm on their website, Facebook, and Instagram - where Farmer Amy shares news, events and regular updates about farm life. 

They are open:

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and on Mondays during the holidays, including bank holidays.

Entry starts at £8.50, with under 3s going free. Family and season tickets are also available to purchase online. 

Parking is free, and you can purchase extras like animal feed on the day – just be sure not to feed the horses. 

There has been no better time to visit the popular attraction. Image credit: Nub News.

Find the farm at:

Uppingham Road

Oakham

LE15 6JD 

Check out our What's On page to find out more about the events taking place at the farm and across Rutland. 

Alternatively, get in touch to share your own events and news by emailing [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Find the farm on Uppingham Road. Image credit: Nub News.