The Piglett Company

The Piglett Company sits just outside Chichester, and if you're expecting a farm shop or tourist trap, you'll be pleasantly surprised by what's actually here. This is a working pig farming operation that's opened its doors to visitors, giving you a genuine look at how pork production happens rather than a sanitised version of rural life.

You'll see the pigs themselves - various breeds at different stages - and staff who actually know what they're talking about rather than just reciting a script. There's something oddly honest about it. Kids find it engaging, though if they're the sentimental sort, you might want to manage expectations beforehand. Adults interested in food provenance and proper farming get far more from it than casual day-trippers.

Details are thin on the ground - opening hours and admission charges aren't published online, so ring ahead before you go. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested, less if you're just passing through. It's not a massive operation, and you're not walking around for hours.

If you're camping at Concierge Camping or Stubcroft Farm nearby, this makes a decent half-morning diversion, though it's not the kind of attraction that anchors a whole holiday. Chichester Lakeside Holiday Park puts you closer to the market town itself, which offers proper shops and pubs if you want to balance things out. The real value here is in stopping the kids' misconceptions about where food comes from - and that's worth the small detour.