A Disappointing Visit to Amerton Farm
After a fantastic morning at the Trentham Monkey Forest, I thought it would be a nice idea to take Oscar to Amerton Farm to finish off the day before heading back home. Having so many fond memories of this place over the last 20 years, I was genuinely excited to revisit. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations.
The Decline of a Beloved Attraction
Amerton Farm used to be truly special, full of character and charm. Over the years, it has become run down and lacking the interactive experiences that once made it memorable. It felt sad to see a place I had loved so much lose the magic that made it worthwhile.
Limited Activities for Children
The biggest disappointment was the lack of engagement for children. There were no talks, no animal handling, and no opportunities for kids to interact with the farm animals. For a farm, it felt surprisingly static — no chance to feed animals, sit on a pony, or have any meaningful encounters.
There is a tractor ride, but on the day of our visit, it was closed. Even when open, it’s a very small ride with nothing much to see. The pedal go-carts looked outdated, more like something from the 1980s, and were impractical for children. Essentially, adults do all the pedaling while children sit on their knees.
Restrictions and Rules
Everywhere you look, there are signs stating no picnics or eating your own food. This felt restrictive, especially as most other farms happily allow visitors to bring packed lunches. Combined with limited activities, this gave the whole place a commercial, unwelcoming feel.
What’s Left to Do?
Sadly, there’s very little to do. There’s a small tractor for kids to climb on, a playground, a sandpit, a few bouncing pillows, and some climbing frames. The one positive was the play barn, which offers a decent soft play area for toddlers and younger children. While enjoyable for a short time, it doesn’t justify the cost of admission.
Food and Pricing
The café is very expensive. We paid over £40 for a couple of toasties, kids’ nuggets and chips, and two coffees — and it wasn’t great. The heavy restrictions on bringing your own food make you feel forced to purchase overpriced meals, adding to the overall disappointment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Amerton Farm no longer lives up to its former reputation. With minimal animal interaction, outdated play equipment, restrictive rules, and expensive food, it simply isn’t worth the admission price. We left after only 2 hours, feeling disappointed and have decided not to return in the future.
Useful Information:
- 🌎 Location: Amerton, Stowe-by-Chartley, Staffordshire, UK.
- ℹ️ Details: A collection of independent businesses set on a working farm.
- 🏢 Central Landmark: Amerton Farm & Billy’s Farm Barn.
- ⏰ Opening hours:General Farm Barn & Retail
- Monday–Sunday: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
- 🅿️ Parking: Large, free on-site parking is available for visitors.
- 📍 Satnav: Amerton, Stafford ST18 0LA.
- 🧭 Coordinates 52.847793080764816, -2.0115652295626854
- 💬 Access Tip: Located off the A518 between Stafford and Uttoxeter.
- 🌐 Official Link: Amerton Farm
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