Saint James City Farm

Proper city farms are getting rarer these days, which makes this working farm on Gloucester's outskirts a bit special. Saint James City Farm gives kids the chance to meet sheep, goats, pigs and chickens without venturing too far from civilisation. The animals seem well-cared for and the staff know their stuff - always a good sign.

Families with younger children get the most from a visit here. Toddlers love the hands-on approach, and there's usually feeding opportunities that keep the little ones engaged for a good hour or so. Older kids might find it a touch tame, but the farm does educational visits that add a bit more substance.

Being so close to Gloucester means it slots nicely into a day trip if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Court Farm Camping or Norton Park Lodges. The farm makes a decent morning activity before heading into the city centre or exploring the Cotswolds proper.

Practical details are a bit thin on their website, so worth calling ahead to check opening times and whether there's an admission charge. Most city farms charge a modest fee these days. Allow about an hour and a half unless you've got very young children who want to linger with every animal.