Sky Park Farm

The thing that strikes you first about Sky Park Farm is how properly rural it feels, despite being just outside Petersfield. This is proper working farmland where you can actually get your hands dirty - literally. They run hands-on sessions where visitors can help with farm tasks, learn about the animals, and understand how the place actually operates rather than just wandering round gawping at sheep through a fence.

It's the sort of place that will absolutely thrill young kids for an afternoon. You're talking mucking out, feeding animals, maybe helping with harvesting depending on the season. Adults who grew up around farms often find it oddly therapeutic. If you're expecting manicured attractions with gift shops, this isn't it - and that's rather the point.

The farm works brilliantly as part of a longer stay in the area. Adhurst Yurts is barely two miles away, which means you could do a proper working holiday - wake up in a yurt, spend the morning at Sky Park Farm getting involved with real farm life, then have the afternoon to explore the Hampshire countryside properly. Bow Hill Farm over in West Sussex is another option if you're planning a slightly wider loop.

Bring old clothes. Wellies essential. Weather-dependent activities mean checking ahead before you visit. It's not a park in the traditional sense - it's genuinely interactive, which means it demands a bit more engagement than the typical afternoon attraction. Worth the effort if that appeals to you.