Cowdray Model Farm

The farm sits just outside Petworth, a working operation where you can get close to animals without the theme park feel. It's genuinely small - think farmyard rather than sprawling zoo - which means you'll see everything in an hour or so, depending on how long you linger at each enclosure.

What you're actually doing is wandering round proper farm animals and a modest collection of others. Children under eight will find it engaging enough; older kids might exhaust the novelty faster. The appeal is the hands-on side of things - actually seeing how farms function rather than just walking past cages.

If you're camping at Graffham or Woodfire nearby, it's a reasonable half-day option when the weather's decent. The walk from town is doable but not spectacular. Petworth itself has the house and park if you want to mix culture with the farm visit - keeps everyone happy.

Bring cash if admission is charged. There's usually a small shop and cafe. Arrive mid-morning to beat school groups, though honestly it's rarely rammed. Waterproofs recommended - it's open fields, so wind gets in. Not life-changing, but solid for a morning with younger children. Adults without kids might find it a bit limited, unless you're genuinely interested in working farm practices.