Longdown Activity Farm

We visited in February on a cold but sunny day. lots of things to do, animals to pet and activities to get involed I (ie feeding ducks etc).Indoor trampolines a big hit with our 2yr old as were the ride on diggers and the indoor (well, undercover) soft play. Café was functional, with kid friendly options and not overpriced. avoided gift shop, but the farm shop was lovely, lots of tempting produce. would visit again. probably a bit pricey for what it is, but had it been summer we could have spent most of the day there.

I know people who absolutely rave about this place, but personally I’m not convinced.
Okay, it’s got plenty of animals for the kids to look at, feed and pet which is great and what you would expect to see at a farm, but I don’t think the rest of the facilities are so good.
For example, much is made on the website and leaflets of the Brio room, but when you get there there are a few bits and bobs to play with but most of the stuff here is tired, not working or frankly just absent!
Similarly the sand pit — it’s a great idea to have an indoor sandpit and the murals around it are colourful and inviting for the kids, but when we went there was hardly any sand, very few toys, and its position alongside a corridor means that you can’t easily supervise /​watch your kids because you have to keep moving out of the way when people come through with push chairs. As for anywhere to sit down whilst the kids play — forget it!
Call me cynical, but the part of this place which appeared to have had the most money and attention lavished on it was the gift shop.
I’ve got to drive to get to this place, but I’d rather head in the opposite direction to Farmer Palmers near Poole — it’s further away, but far better when you get there and cheaper to get in too.