Family days out are fun for all, spending time with loved ones, bonding and making memories.
It can sometimes be hard to decide where to go and what will be entertaining for different age ranges.
However, a trip to the farm is always a winner.
Nestled in the beautiful Purbeck countryside and offering great family-friendly fun, delicious food and all for a reasonable price, you’ll find Salt Pig, The Farm.
From helping to feed the fluffy lambs to racing around on go-karts, here’s what to look forward to when visiting.
Set just outside of Swanage in the pretty village of Langton Matravers, the farm is very easy to find and a free of charge car park is located at the entrance.
You’ll instantly notice how lovely the surroundings are from the rolling countryside surrounding the farm, and the quiet setting provides instant happiness as you connect with nature.
The sound of bird song is in the air, and the alpacas wait to greet you on arrival.
In the summer months, the farm also offers camping for tents and small camper vans. It’s a brilliant way to soak up the peaceful setting and make the most of the nearby countryside, with scenic off-road walks straight from the campsite to Dancing Ledge and Swanage – perfect for exploring the stunning Purbeck coastline.
🐷 The Salt Pig started as a small deli and restaurant in Wareham, providing good quality local food. The locals and visitors loved the food and friendly faces that the brand has since grown in popularity. Now there are 7 Salt Pig locations around Dorset, each offering high-quality dishes and all fairly priced.
On entering, you are in the soft play area. Arguably one of the largest soft play areas in Dorset.
Set over three storeys and boasting a ball pit, zip wires, slides and tunnels for little ones to explore, offering hours of endless fun.
There will be lots of red happy faces darting all over the place as they build their social skills and let off steam in the play area.
🎉 You can also book children’s parties at the farm – whilst we were there, there was a party. They had zoned off a private area, the children were enjoying the hot food before they ran off to play again whilst the parents were relaxed and chatting. It definitely takes the stress out of organising a kids party, and we all know how stressful they can be!
There’s also a football, toddler and baby and role play area, ensuring children of all ages can join in on the fun.
You will also find a small shop serving drinks and offering various souvenirs, toys and books.
If you manage to pull the children away from soft play heaven, they are then greeted with lots of educational, outdoor fun.
The barn holds a whole host of barnyard animals from goats, lambs, chickens, calves, piglets and ponies.
It’s in this spot that you can interact with the animals and feed them during the hourly feeding slots.
Sit at the allocated seating and wait for your turn with the bottles of milk.
The little lambs will come bounding over enthusiastically, latch onto the bottle and drink their milk, which will be both exciting and fun for everyone.
It’s impossible not to smile as the lambs hop around excitedly.
There are lots of other activities available for you to participate in, such as pony grooming, holding a guinea pig and feeding the goats.
🦙 There is a board located near the entrance with the activities for the day so that you can plan around the various times.
Little ones learn from their experiences by taking turns and learning all about the animals.
🪿 During our visit, our son partially enjoyed petting Marshmallow the guinea pig. The friendly staff on the farm were happy to tell us lots of interesting information about the animals and were happy to let everyone have a go at holding them.
When finished in the barn, you and the family can take a stroll along the fields, enjoying the donkeys and the endless country views.
The donkeys are friendly and enjoy a stroke when they come over to say hi.
A large outside play area is available, complete with lots of various climbing frames, slides and a fireman’s pole.
A playhouse, diggers, trampoline and sand pit also offer lots of outside adventure, whilst lots of picnic benches are close by for lunchtime breaks and tired adults to sit and enjoy the sun.
A small go-karting track is also located in the play area.
However, don’t be put off by the size; this area is a huge hit, and children will love racing and zooming around the track on the karts available.
The Salt Pig is renowned for offering excellent-tasting food that is largely locally produced.
Even the meat is sourced from the farm or the surrounding areas.
On entering the cafe, the rustic decor is fresh, clean and in keeping with the countryside vibe, with the wooden furnishings and wall hangings.
There are lots of dishes to enjoy on your visit, such as homemade quiche, pork and herb sausage rolls and toasties.
These can be served on their own or with a mouthwatering side such as homemade potato salad, pasta salad or vegetables.
The Salt Pig know how to put together fantastic ingredients and take traditional dishes but add a flavoursome twist, enhancing any meal you purchase.
A large number of hot/ cold drinks are also on offer.
🍴A special mention goes to the sausage rolls. The flavourful local meat filling, flakey golden pastry and large portion sizes will leave you wanting to order more!
A large number of local products can be purchased in the cafe area, including freshly baked bread, Purbeck popcorn and Salt Pig merchandise.
There’s also a separate children’s menu, including kids’ picnic boxes – so there really is something for everyone.
Spending time on the farm is a delight; all the members of staff are friendly and love to chat, giving special attention to the little ones.
Creating a magical day out for the whole family.
Being a less commercialised farm keeps the rustic and rugged charm of what a farm should be like, whilst little minds can learn, have lots of fun and will be telling all about their day out feeding the lambs.
To find out more about Salt Pig The Farm Putlake, the ultimate family day out, visit the Salt Pig website here.
📍 High St, Swanage BH19 3EU
