White Elm Petting Farm - Image 1

White Elm Petting Farm

Bicknacre, United Kingdom•4.6(1.1k)•Botanical Garden, Farm

Visit our petting farm to interact with adorable animals and create lasting family memories in a garden centre setting.

White Elm Petting Farm offers families a wonderful opportunity to engage with animals in a friendly, interactive environment. Located within the White Elm Garden Centre in Chelmsford, the petting farm allows visitors to get up close with adorable creatures and create special memories together. Beyond the petting farm itself, White Elm is much more than just an animal attraction. The venue combines multiple family-friendly experiences including a cozy Tea Room serving quality coffee and refreshments, a shopping village with diverse retailers (from reptile shops to sweet shops), and the main garden centre itself. This multi-purpose destination ensures families can spend extended time enjoying various activities in one location. The petting farm operates on a booking system and welcomes individual visitors as well as group bookings and parties, making it suitable for various occasions. The venue is fully accessible for families with pushchairs and is dog-friendly, ensuring all family members can enjoy their visit. With both indoor and outdoor facilities, White Elm provides a comprehensive family day out combining animal interaction with shopping, dining, and garden centre exploration.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday: 09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday: 09:00 – 16:00
Thursday: 09:00 – 16:00
Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 16:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

1-3 hours

Booking

Book in advance

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Tea Room

A cozy spot serving coffee, conversations, and food offerings

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

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Google Reviews

4.6(1.1k reviews)
R
Rolo

Rolo

2 months ago

We visited White Elm Petting Farm with our two older children and had a really lovely afternoon. All of the staff were friendly and helpful, but we ended up chatting to Marli. She is an absolute credit to the farm and really cared for the animals while we were there. She also shared lots of interesting facts and information which helped make our visit even more enjoyable. We had a fantastic afternoon and would definitely recommend a visit.

D
DJ Cooper

DJ Cooper

2 months ago

Thursday 7th May 2026. It was our first visit to the farm with our grandson after recommendation. We were not disappointed. It was value for money, the configuration was excellent and it was apparent the focus is a child friendly approach. The road track was well maintained and again focused as was the soft play. In comparison we attended Marsh Farm the week before. It was not, in our opinion, value for money. Marsh Farm have added further charges on top of the entrance fee and the maintenance and facilities were very poor, for example the track had three cars on display only, all of which were broken! White Elm, in our opinion, was so much more focused and Louise at reception was delightful, informative and very helpful. We will certainly be visiting again. Thank you for a lovely day.

K
Kershia Smith (Knicole1986)

Kershia Smith (Knicole1986)

3 months ago

Lovely place to go! Been here many times with my 5 year old and 1 year old. Nice and enclosed, with plenty of space to roam around. Even when at capacity, it never feels overly busy. I feel it is well priced for what is on offer. We loved doing the Easter trail-collecting stamps along the way. Nice little extras such as the sand pit, construction area and playground. The outdoor vehicle track is a great way to end the day. My boy loves the soft play, which is a decent size. The under 2's section could do with less toys so the babies can move around in it a bit more and some don't work, so not needed anyway. We also like the tea room- the cakes are amazing, as is the service and food on offer. When the sun is shining, this is one of our go to places. Will be back in the next half term.

D
David Peters

David Peters

11 months ago

Good little day out with the kids. I pre booked tickets,£8.95 for adults and £7.95 for children over 2. Animal food was not included in the price but ,£3 for two buckets and a little activity for the kids to do on the way round. For a Sunday afternoon it was not busy at all,well laid out with loads of animals to see,loads off outdoor play area and sand for the kids to interact with. One off the staff had a turtle out and the kids was interacting with and he was answering all their questions. There is also and indoor play area which served hot and cold food coffee was really nice.

M
Mark England

Mark England

a year ago

I drove a coach of primary school children here for the day and they loved it. I walked round the garden centre and shops that they have there, then went in the tearoom which was lovely. The garden centre has a good selection of plants and shrubs, pots, compost, stones, garden tools and accessories. Prices seemed reasonable. Will definitely come back with my wife and credit card.

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026

Events at White Elm Petting Farm

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 7 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about White Elm Petting Farm

Is White Elm Petting Farm free to visit?

White Elm Petting Farm is a paid attraction — see the official website for current ticket prices.

Is White Elm Petting Farm dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at White Elm Petting Farm.

Is there parking at White Elm Petting Farm?

White Elm Petting Farm doesn't have parking — public transport is recommended.

Is there food at White Elm Petting Farm?

Yes — Tea Room is on site at White Elm Petting Farm. A cozy spot serving coffee, conversations, and food offerings

Is White Elm Petting Farm pushchair-friendly?

Yes, White Elm Petting Farm is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at White Elm Petting Farm?

Plan 1–3 hours for a visit to White Elm Petting Farm.

How do I get to White Elm Petting Farm by public transport?

White Elm Petting Farm isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.

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