Mrs Dowsons Farm Park near Blackburn is a lively working dairy farm offering interactive animal encounters, indoor and outdoor play, and farm-fresh food – all designed to be accessible and enjoyable for carers, families, and visitors of all abilities. It’s a great shout for somebody looking to get outdoors and more in touch with our four legged friends.
💡 What Is It?
Mrs Dowsons is a real local gem! There’s a combination of traditional farm life with a more modern twist for visitors. Upon arriving, you’ll find sets of welcoming barns full of animals – from lambs and alpacas to wallabies and water buffalo, plus a big indoor wooden play barn, tractor rides, educational talks, and a café serving the farm’s award-winning ice cream. Have you tried it for yourself yet? It’s delicious!
👀 What You’ll Find
- Animal feeds & talks throughout the day where you can bottle-feed lambs and meet baby chicks
- Acorns Barn indoor adventure play: wooden play structures, slides, sand flooring – perfect for all weather
- Outdoor nature trails, benches, tractor rides and a picnic-friendly courtyard
- A farm café and ice cream parlour serving locally made flavours from the dairy herd
🎁 Why It’s Worth Shouting About
A visit to Mrs Dowsons isn’t your typical day out, it’s a chance to connect with animals, learn about farming, and get a taste of a different way of living! With indoor and outdoor options, it’s ideal for different moods and needs. It’s educational, sensory-friendly, and full of energy – particularly if you visit during events like lambing season or their summer dinosaur trail.
✅ Accessibility at a Glance
- Main paths have natural stone surfaces, but with it be a farm, you can expect the chance of some tricky terrain
- Blue-badge parking close to the Visitor Centre entrance
- Step-free public areas, accessible toilets and changing facilities on site
- Indoor barn with no steps and plenty of space to move around
- Sensory-friendly touches: animal sounds, natural elements, and calming quiet moments
🔎 Want to Know More?
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park is open weekends, school holidays, and bank holidays from 10am–5pm (last entry 2:30pm) between March and late September. Admission starts from just £6.79 – however we would definitely recommend pre-booking. If you’ve got any queries you might want answering, then the lovely people that take care of the farm will no doubt gladly assist you if you’d prefer to give them a call on 01254 812407
On their website, they pride themselves on ensuring that everybody, no matter what physical limitations they may have, will be welcomed and assisted in the best way possible to enjoy their visit. Check out the website for more information at https://www.mrsdowsons.co.uk/
💬 Know Somewhere Great?
Have you been somewhere that supports inclusion, nature, or offers sensory friendly days out? Tell us about it, we would love to know! Perhaps your suggestion might help other people discover meaningful activities to enjoy.