I will strive to leave no animal uncovered. I'm not worrying said animals, I love all things cute,…read morecuddly and also not so cute. All aboard the tractor to Ripley. I have to confess it has been a year since I visited this gem and it opens over Easter but it's worth shouting about. We're talking a real insight into farm life here. It has original buildings and more than a smattering of animals including heavy horses. It's great to see these beautiful creatures up close and see them go about their work. You'll also be able to get your hands on various farmyard animals and the children love it. It's almost a rural life museum with its exhibitions and introduction to farming and they also have numerous craft displays throughout the year. A family ticket will set you back a tenner so it isn't going to break the bank. Old McDonald would be proud.

Getting drunk and falling over can be fun. Drinking enough coffee to stay awake for a decade can…read morealso be fun. Sometimes though I need more in my life. Unfortunately Johnny Depp doesn't see it that way so I turn to something else extremely cute instead; animals. There are plenty of places in Leeds where you can get up close and personal (not too personal mind, there is a name for people like that) with various creatures of the animal kingdom and Ponderosa serves as a great example of that. What's also immense about this place are the facilities offered to disabled and able bodied children alike. Indeed, it did start off as a place to help disabled children and has grown to open it's doors to all. You'll get to see allsorts of animals. You'll even get to see llamas and an emu. How cool is that and no Orville or that silly man who sticks his hand up puppets for a living, in sight. You'll also get a chance to see pigs, peacocks, highland cows, goats, horses, donkeys and birds of prey. It's a cracking day out Wallace and one I highly recommend. Just remember to take a kid with you or you may look a bit daft like me.

Ponderosa Farm, I was delighted when a friends took me to this little gem hidden away in…read moreHeckmondwike West Yorkshire. I couldn't believe the huge range of animals they have far better than anything similar I have visited in the past. This place is really child friendly with so much for them to see. We bought a bag of feed for 50p to feed the farm animals and it was a lovely experience seeing the animals so close. The farm animal include pigs, goats and sheep as well as rabbits. But whats great about Pondarose is all other animals they keep. There were birds of prey which included a beautiful Kestrel. Also Meerkats which were just having there feed when we saw them first which happened to be baby chicks which I found a bit gross and perhaps might have been a bit upsetting for children to see but when we went back later they were playing around and were very cute I would have loved to have taken one home. There was also a reptile house which we went to. I was slightly surprised they as we walk through part of the house in the tropical plants was what appeared to be sum kind of large lizards just wondering about which did make me feel slightly uneasy but I just stayed where it was and I am a bit of wimp. They had a snake out with a handler in one room and I was too scared to go in but its a great way to get kids interested in animals we saw them handling lots of animals so its great fun as well as they learning lots too they staff we were friendly and seem to enjoying sharing all there knowledge about the animals with everyone. Also whats great is dotted around the site are many different play area's for the children with tonnes of climbing frames and slides for them. There is a coffee shop serving cold sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, ice cream & refreshments. Disabled access. As well as plenty of picnic areas. there are toilets and a nice little gift shop. There is so much to do make sure you allow yourself enough time to see everything. I recommend going on a dry day to get the most out of Pondarose. Open from 10am - 4pm 7 days a week Monday through Sunday. We are open all year round only closing for Christmas and New Year. (Dates are confirmed nearer the time). Admission 4.00 pounds adults 3.50 children under 2's are free From Manchester: Come off the M62 at Junction 26 - turn right onto the A638 - Follow this road through Cleckheaton - Turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn. From Leeds: Turn off M62 at Junction 27 (Showcase Cinema) and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield. Through 6 sets of light and turn left into Heckmondwike centre - then turn right at the clock tower in Heckmondwike centre. The centre is sign posted on the right. Turn down Station lane, under the railway bridge, past Al Murad tiles and we are the next left turn

I have driven past The Vale Stables and their signs indicating logs and manure for sale many times…read morethinking it was just a horse stables. It may well be this but when I walked past I was overjoyed to find a little garden centre that looks like it rose up from ground and grew out of the trees that hide it. It exists mostly outside with a lady, a cat and dog huddled round a wood burner, running the place. There are plants everywhere, planted in boots, old toilets, amongst carved pieces of wood, as well as in pots, for sale. Recently I picked up a pot of thyme for £1.50 but there were loads of herbs and flowers I could have chosen from. I also wanted some trays and pots to plant my seeds in so I asked if they had any. The lady told me they had loads and to help myself from the pile for no charge! This beats sterile and expensive landscaped garden centres I have tried to avoid since my childhood any day.

The Vale Stables is truly a hidden gem…read more A lovely rambling space packed with seasonal plants of all kinds, where the owners can be found warming their hands on a crackling wood-burner in all weathers - inspiring you to the outdoor life. They sell beautiful healthy plants which are so much cheaper than at any local garden centre. You can also buy wood and good quality manure in the autumn. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The owner, Gwen, and her daughter, have a wealth of gardening knowledge and will go out of their way to help and advise. My 3 year old boy loves to visit and see the hens, the dog and the river while I browse the plants on offer and soak up the atmosphere.

A free attraction!…read more A nice working farm with plenty of animals to keep you entertained: fallow deer, pigs, ferrets, sheep, lambs, peacocks. There is food available for a small charge, a good size picnic area near the duck pond. A good value children's play barn is also on site.

A great place to visit if you have young children, or are an animal lover!…read more Emsley Farm is an open-farm with many various animals which you can observe and often get very close to (and occasionally pet!), including chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, pigs, wallabies, rabbits, guinnea pigs, donkeys, and goats. You can buy bags of feed from the small shop for the animals and there is also a large indoor play area (which does cost to use) if the kids have excess energy that needs using up! A nice touch are the hand-cleaning stations dotted around the farm so you can keep everyone nice and hygienic! The farm store sells locally produced meat and free range eggs (including quail and duck), and you can also buy live poultry for your back garden flock too!

It's early days yet, the official opening isn't until 26th August, but a lot of this newly…read moredeveloped attraction is up and running. There has been a livery stable here for a long time and this included a saddlery and farm shop. Now Swithens farm are about to launch their petting corner, play barn, improved farm shop and cafe. The shop stocks local produce including meat from the farm as well as a strange assortment of household items, the produce seems competitively priced and is obviously nice and fresh. A selection of sausages and burgers are also for sale crafted by the resident butcher. I haven't yet tried the cafe but a glance at the menu shows reasonable prices (coffee £1 and a full breakfast £3.50). Trust me, I WILL be trying it out. The staff are friendly and there are lots of smiles (will they stand the test of time?) I suppose there might be some explaining to do when your child finds out that the burger they enjoyed was the mummy of the calf they were just petting :/ I will be checking Swithens Farm out again so expect an update.

Visited Swithens Farm after having been recommended it on the Streetlife website…read more My goal was to find a local farm shop selling lots of locally grown produce, as an alternative to buying from supermarkets. Despite some high hopes, Swithens Farm didn't live up to that goal. There was very little fruit and veg available (half a box of Apples, a few lettuces and some sprouts was about it). The rest of the farm shop was stuff you would expect to find in the supermarket (Coca Cola, Crisps etc).

I'm going deeper underground to find some little haven retreats out of the city centre. It has to…read morebe done as our county is so much more than city centre living. St Leonards Farm Park is one of those little beauties. It's an award winning farm in Esholt Village, the original home of the soap Emmerdale. We're talking stunning scenery here and some real fresh air in the lungs. The farm has lots of different animals, some of which you can feed. The play areas are well equipped with rather tempting swing bridges. When the weather is better they have ample areas for picnics and on certain days you'll even be able to have a ride on a tractor. Not sure I'm allowed on them though, rubbish. There are plenty of walks and nature trails and a fun barn and refreshments area too. It ticks all of the boxes and is definitely worth a visit

st leonards farm park is a fantastic day out for all ages, i grew up next to meanwood valley urban…read morefarm and unfortunaly it doesn't have a patch on this place. It has to be added to your summer holidays! for the adults there is the farm itself with all its animals & 'petting zoo' & a great cafe (with prices everyone can afford: chip butty £1.50 & drinks for about 75p) or there are picnic tables if you prefure to bring food yourself ,sheltered i think also , if you want to get out of the rain or sun. & for the kids ( & big kids among us) there is a hay barn with swings etc to play in & a 'wacky warehouse' type funbarn , a zip line, swings & 'wendy house' as well as the option to feed & pet the animals ( food for the animals is only pence) the cost is minimal for the amount you can do & see there & a good day is needed , we visited from 10am to about 3pm & we could have stayed longer & still not be at aloss for things to do. there was also a milking demonstration which you can get involved in , which my kids loved. there is also a little gift shop selling great items that wont break the bank prices as quoted on website are: FARM PARK Adults - £3.95 Children (2-16) and Seniors - £3.50 Childrens Farm Park / Fun Barn Combined Admission - £6.75 Adults Farm Park / Fun Barn Combined Admission (weekends and school holidays only) £5.95 FUN BARN Adults - FREE Children (1-16) - £3.95 'farmer james' is friendly & fantastic as are all the staff , check out their website for more info!

Mill Lane Stables are situated on Mill lane just before Thorpe Willoughby. Mill Lane Stables are a…read moreriding school with livery stables. The riding school offers indoor riding lessons for age 6 upwards, with no upper limit with horses and ponies for all levels and sizes. The staff are not only qualified and able but really good with little ones too. My daughter has really come on well over the last two months and her confidence in her abilities is soaring. We have lessons within a group where my daughter is led but you can have private lessons if you wish.

Armley moor sure start centre aims to give advice, support and information for parents by full…read morequalified staff. They run a whole range of service as well as course and play sessions. I attend with my son for the messy play session from 13.00 until 14.30 on mondays and there is lots activities for him to get involved in like painting, chalks, sticking, play doh and much more. It a good place to meet other parents mum's dads grandparent and even childminders attend. My son loves it and it saves my house from getting messy.