Barleyland's Farm

There are some places which, because of their close vicinity, are frequent destinations for a day out, despite them not always being the most enjoyable.  Barleylands is somewhere that we have been going since we were blessed with the arrival of the boy child, nearly eight years ago.  It has always been a rather reluctant visit, if I'm honest.  In those earlier days, animals were rather sparse, play equipment was non-existent (except for the fleet of blue ride-on tractors) and you had to leave the farm and venture to the nearby craft centre for toilets and food, unless you counted a battered looking hot drinks vending machine in the cold barn.  Not ideal for a young family.


Oh but how things have changed.  A recent visit to Barleylands during half-time could not have been more different.  Arriving fairly late in the morning, we were immediately drawn in by the prospect of the organised scarecrow hunt and Hungry Caterpillar trail advertised on noticeboards around the craft centre, as well as the opportunity to make your own scarecrow.  Once inside, the children were like well-trained heptathletes, charging around the farm looking for the clues; jumping mud puddles (Clementine far less successfully than Harper), bouncing on giant inflatable pillows, shooting each other with plastic balls and occasionally 'oohing and ahhing' at the appearance of a farmyard animal in their pursuit for the Hungry Caterpillar.  There were the same assortment of animals, with the addition of some birds of prey, that I remembered from before.  Being an animal lover, I would have liked to have seen this element of the farm being extended but it was adequate enough for the children's interest.

The biggest changes came in the form of the new play equipment that the farm has acquired.  There is a large outdoor play area, with the required assortment of swings, climbing frames and zip wire.  But there is also the huge inflatable pillow which deserves its very own mention.  Even as an adult, you can not underestimate how alluring that large, striped, marshmallowy pillow of loveliness is.  Take the children's shoes off?  What children?  I was tugging my boots off and launching myself at this thing before I remembered that I even had children.  I have never seen one of these anywhere else that we have visited, but I suspect that they will be taking over children's play areas everywhere.  


Once my mother had managed to lure us away from the pillow of pleasure, we discovered another play area in a nearby barn.  This one took the form of a kind of shoot out gallery.  Children can take their place behind one of the canons in the three tiers facing each other, whilst sending smaller and more gullible children down into the middle to collect balls as ammunition, often leading them to become targets for the opposing team. Needless to say, Harper was the gunner, Clementine was the ball runner.  Whilst the older children engaged in ball wars, Claudia was free to wander around the remainder of the barn meeting some friendly animals.  Everyone was happy.

At the other end of the farm, there is another indoor play area, made up of the usual slides, ball pits and large swingy things.  This area also houses the cafe and the majority of the indoor picnic tables.  On a cold, wet, half-term afternoon, this place was packed and we were forced to brave the fresh air for our picnic.  Needless to say, it was a rather rushed affair as the bracing February weather didn't really lend itself to a leisurely lunch.  Ideally, there would be another picnic area available as it seems that many parents, once settled in the play barn, have no inclination to leave it, thereby making many of the tables unavailable unless you're a skilled practitioner in the art of evil glares to shame people into moving.  


In addition to the play areas, there are a selection of other activities for the children to take part in; sand diggers; go-karts; tractor rides and a farming exhibition centre.  Admittedly, some of these things have been at Barleylands for a few years, but the difference is the organisation and communication that the farm now demonstrates.  A visit used to be a somewhat aimless meander around the paddocks and pens, but now there are tannoys and leaflets to ensure that visitors know what is going on and don't miss out.  It is a far more slick and professional affair. 

The website states that the farm is suitable for toddlers to ten year olds.  Having three children that fall into this bracket, I can confirm that it is indeed an ideal attraction for this age band.  Harper loved the play areas, whilst Clementine and Claudia loved feeding and petting the animals.  And me?  You don't really need to ask do you?  I wonder if my garden is big enough for an inflatable pillow?


http://www.barleylands.co.uk/index.html


Barleylands Farm,
Barleylands Road,
Billericay CM11 2UD


Tel: 01268 532253