You can make your day out extra special for your child by including an interesting experience with animals. There are many farms, petting zoos, and even horse riding lessons to be had in and around Birmingham.
Some are right inside the city while others will need you to travel a short distance. Spending time with animals can be a relaxing experience for both adults and children.
From driving through a safari park where wild animals roam free to learning about farming and dairy practices, there is much to be done in and around the city.
Most of these places accept big groups and small to come and enjoy a day out in the wild with friendly animals.
If you have been racking your brains about where to take your child to give them a fun but educational experience, BirminghamWorld’s list of eight places to head to will help you out:
1. Old Rectory Farm, Sheldon Country Park
Visiting Sheldon Country Park is like going to the “countryside in the city”. It covers 300 acres and contains grassland, wetland, old hedgerows and mature woodland. The seventeenth century Old Rectory Farm, a former dairy farm within the park, has been superbly restored and now functions as a Demonstration Farm showcasing traditional methods of farming. (Photo - Unsplash/Stijn Te Strake) | Unsplash/Stijn Te Strake
2. Balsall Heath City Farm, Birmingham
This small farm opened in 1980 and is an inner-city oasis providing local families with access to animals that they otherwise might not see. It is a valued community asset in Balsall Heath with visitors who came as children now bringing their own little ones down to see the 50 animals that live on the farm. (Photo - Unsplash/Judith Prins) | Unsplash.Judith Prins
3. Forge Mill Farm, Sandwell Valley Country Park
Forge Mill Farm is now home to many animals, including rare breeds, and is well loved and visited by tens of thousands of families a year. It is great for an interactive education tour for children and adults to learn about animal welfare and where our food comes from. (Photo - Unsplash/ Andy Kelly) | unsplash.Andy Kelly
4. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, Cannon Hill Park
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is home to a unique collection of animals from across the world, including Red Pandas, lemurs, reptiles, meerkats, otters, birds, wallabies and a large collection of monkeys. Some of the animals are also endangered. | Asmita Sarkar