Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm

Updated June 10, 2025

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm – Farm in Salisbury, Salisbury – Great West Way

## Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm: Hands-On Rare Breeds Experience Near Salisbury

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm is an RBST-registered rare breeds centre and family attraction just outside Salisbury in Wiltshire, set across more than 40 acres of countryside, woodlands and vineyards. Rare Breeds Farm

The farm combines conservation of British rare breed animals with very hands-on experiences: animal feeding, petting sessions and seasonal activities such as lamb or pig racing.

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## Where Is Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm?

– Location: Amesbury Road, Cholderton, Salisbury SP4 0EW, United Kingdom. Rare Breeds Farm
– Setting: Just off the A303 between Andover and Amesbury, or from the A338 (Salisbury–Marlborough road) following brown “rare breeds farm” signs. West Way

### Getting There

– By car: Signposted from the A303 and A338 as above. There is on-site parking, and the farm notes that parking is free for café visitors as well. Rare Breeds Farm
– By train: Nearest stations are Grateley (about 3.5 miles) and Salisbury (about 9 miles). West Way
– By bus: Wilts & Dorset bus routes 63 and 64 serve Cholderton village from Salisbury; alternatively, some visitors take a bus towards Stonehenge, get off in Amesbury and continue by taxi to the farm. West Way

This combination makes the farm a realistic add-on to a Salisbury or Stonehenge itinerary.

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## What Makes It a “Rare Breeds” Farm?

Cholderton is registered with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), meaning it actively supports conservation of traditional British livestock breeds.

On the farm you can encounter:

– Sheep and cows
– Pigs and goats
– Ponies and a donkey
– Alpacas
– Rabbits and guinea pigs
– Peacocks
– Chickens, ducks and geese
– Other small farm animals, depending on the season and current stock

These are described by the farm and regional tourism bodies as “fine examples of British rare breeds and their farmyard friends.” Rare Breeds Farm

The mix of animals changes over time as new arrivals are born or brought in, so specific breeds present on any given day can vary.

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## Animal Encounters, Feeding & Daily Activities

A key feature of Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm is how close you can get to the animals through structured encounters.

### Free Daily Activities

The farm’s ticketing information highlights free animal activities throughout the day, which can include: Rare Breeds Farm

– Lamb racing (seasonal)
– Animal Encounters sessions (petting and meeting selected animals)
– Other scheduled meet-and-greet sessions

Timetables and exact line-ups change with the season and weather. The farm specifically advises calling on the day if there is a particular activity you do not want to miss, as all activities are weather-dependent. Rare Breeds Farm

### Paid “Extras”

As of the latest published information, optional paid extras have included: Rare Breeds Farm

– Animal Fishing (e.g., “Guinea Pig Fishing”)
– Highland cow fishing
– Duck food sold in small bags

These are low-cost add-ons (the farm lists sample prices for these on its ticketing pages), but exact prices are subject to change; check current details when booking or on arrival. Rare Breeds Farm

### Hands-On Petting and Feeding

Both the official site and third-party attraction guides emphasise that visitors can hand-feed and pet some of the animals, under staff guidance. Rare Breeds Farm

For children (and many adults), this is the main reason to come: it turns animal welfare and rare breed conservation into something tangible and memorable.

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## Play Areas & Indoor Options

Alongside the animals, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm invests heavily in play space:

– Outdoor play areas are spread throughout the farm. Rare Breeds Farm
– There is an indoor Playbarn, giving younger visitors a covered play option in poor weather. Rare Breeds Farm
– The wider site includes woodlands, water gardens and open fields to explore as part of the 40–42 acre estate. Rare Breeds Farm

During UK school holidays, additional entertainment and activities are commonly scheduled, according to family-days-out listings. Out With The Kids The exact programme varies annually and seasonally, so it’s best to confirm via the farm’s website or social channels before planning around a specific event.

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## Café, Bar & Farm Shop

Food is a significant part of the offer here.

### Café, Kitchen & Bar

The official site describes an on-site coffee shop, café and bar serving seasonal food and drinks, and notes that the café is open the same hours as the farm (currently 10:00–16:00, seven days a week). Rare Breeds Farm

Important practical point: the farm specifies that you do not need to pay farm admission if you are only visiting to eat or drink, and that café visitors can use the car park for free. Rare Breeds Farm

Menus are updated periodically; the sample menus online feature:

– Breakfast baps and hot dishes
– Burgers, pies and other main meals
– Vegetarian options such as veggie pies
– Hot drinks, cakes and children’s options

Because menus and prices change, always rely on the current menu rather than historic screenshots.

### Farm Shop

The farm shop stocks items such as:

– Bluestone Vineyards English sparkling wine, produced on the estate
– Selected cheeses (availability varies)
– Chutneys and condiments
– Local beers, gins and vodkas
– Soft drinks and toys/books for children Rare Breeds Farm

Again, product lines and stock can change over time.

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## Stays, Weddings & Groups

Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm is more than a day-trip attraction; it’s part of a broader rural venue.

– The site includes Bluestone Vineyards, a working vineyard within the same estate. Rare Breeds Farm
– Stonehenge Hostel & Kitchen, Café & Bar are listed as part of the overall attraction in the farm’s own terms and conditions, positioning the site as a base for exploring the wider area. Rare Breeds Farm
– The farm markets itself as a wedding and events venue, with barn-style spaces and on-site catering for bespoke weddings.

Group visits (for schools, clubs or other groups) are supported; details, including educational content and group pricing structures, are managed directly via the farm’s website and booking team and may change from year to year. Rare Breeds Farm

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## Accessibility, Inclusivity & Dog Policy

### Physical Access

VisitWiltshire’s accessibility information highlights:

– Disabled access toilets both on the farm and in the shop/café area
– Disabled parking spaces, with additional spaces available on request
– Wheelchair access is described as “reasonable,” but much of the farm is grass and can become muddy in wet weather

Because of that natural terrain, mobility-aid users and visitors with pushchairs may find some areas more challenging after rain. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and it is sensible to contact the farm in advance if you have specific access needs.

Independent accessibility reviewers also confirm the presence of blue-badge parking close to the entrance and provide real-world impressions of getting around the site. Guide

### Carers and Support Needs

VisitWiltshire notes that one carer may enter free with a disabled guest aged 2 or over. Policies like this can change, so verify current arrangements directly with the farm before travel, especially if you rely on a companion ticket.

### Dogs

The farm states that dogs are not permitted on the farm, except assistance dogs. This is worth knowing in advance if you are touring with a pet.

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## Opening Times, Tickets & Potentially Outdated Details

Because opening times and ticket structures change, it’s important to treat any specific numbers as time-sensitive.

– The farm’s own site currently highlights farm and café opening times of 10:00–16:00, seven days a week, with walk-ins welcome. Rare Breeds Farm
– VisitWiltshire provides seasonal hours (shorter autumn/winter hours and longer spring/summer hours up to 17:30), plus a note that the attraction closes on specific dates around Christmas and New Year.
– Guide prices listed on VisitWiltshire give adult and child day admission price ranges and note that children under 2 go free.

These sources are reputable but can go out of date as the farm updates its operations. The most reliable approach is:

1. Use the farm’s official website and booking platform for up-to-the-minute opening times and pricing. Rare Breeds Farm
2. If you depend on a particular activity (for example, lamb racing or a specific animal encounter), call on the day of your visit; the farm explicitly advises this because activities can be cancelled or rescheduled due to weather or animal welfare considerations. Rare Breeds Farm

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## Who Is Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm Best For?

Based on the attraction’s own description and independent listings, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm focuses on: Rare Breeds Farm

– Visitors interested in British rare breed conservation
– Families wanting hands-on animal encounters and play areas
– Groups seeking an outdoor, educational experience in rural Wiltshire
– Travellers combining Salisbury, Stonehenge and surrounding countryside into a single trip

Online review aggregators currently show average visitor ratings around 4.4/5 from several hundred reviews, reflecting broadly positive feedback at the time of writing. Individual experiences vary, so it is worth reading recent reviews if you have specific priorities such as café quality, queue times or crowd levels.

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