Childrens farms to visit around the south coast and near the sea! Anyone know any?

[ragtaggle]

Our eleven month old has just got interested in animals and their noises. We'd like to take her to a farm tomorrow to see some for real.

We also fancy seeing the sea and don't want to travel too far from London. Possibly Essex but I don't know it at all. Anyone got any suggestions?

Drusillas farm is near Eastbourne and its lovely. Its aimed at younger children. Theres also Gatwick Zoo but I have no idea whats that is like.

Farming World near Faversham is brilliant, and the seaside at Whitstable is only a few minutes further on. It's about an hour and a half from London.

Drusillas

I was going to suggest the small animal park on the cliffs at Ventnor on the Isle of Wight but think that might be too far for a day trip.

Colchester Zoo is supposed to be smashing if you want a more conventional "zoo" and not too much further to the coast...

Wouldn't make a special trip to Gatwick Zoo. We only went cos we lived just up the road.

Bockett's Farm at Leatherhead is very nice. Very clean, easy to walk round and family orientated although much would appeal more to toddlers upwards. There was a MN meet up there not so long ago.

You could drive down to the Sussex coast (Worthing or Littlehampton for example) in about 40 minutes from there.

I would also recommend Drusillas. It's brilliant!

Nearer London there is Odds farm near Beaconsfield, on the M40.

WARNING! We tried to visit Gatwick Zoo in August and after driving round for ages discovered that it was turned into a housing estate three years ago! It was clearly marked in the Reader's Digest atlas that we only bought this year but never mind. Took disappointed children to British Wildlife centre instead which was very nice. Drusilla's is brilliant but you really need a whole day there to enjoy it properly.