The Amelia Trust Farm - located on a 160-acre lowland site in the middle of the Vale of Glamorgan - is a fantastic place for everyone to learn about animals, rural life and conservation. It is a charity that aims to make the countryside and the farm park as accessible as possible for everyone - and as a result it's open very day from sunrise to sunset and there's no entry charge (donations are welcomed). With more than 300 animals (including donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, hens, ducks, horses and cows) and a cosy visitor centre and café, it's a great day out not only for families with young children but also for any animal lovers, young or old. If you're really keen, they are also always looking for volunteers to help out there with the animals. For groups the farm also has accommodation for up to 30 people, and some on-site sports and music facilities. In addition, the charity works with disadvantaged people including adults with learning difficulties, and young people who are struggling with conventional schooling. read more

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Hidden away, near Cardiff and Barry; it is roughly around fifteen minutes from the area in Penylan, but it is not really on a bus route. This makes it all the more worth an afternoon or a day out to, depending on which day of the week you attend the place. The place is surrounded by countryside; you could say that without the countryside ever existing, that this place would never exist. For it depends on its surroundings to survive... It is free to enter and they have a cafe to sit outside in or inside and to get hot and cold drinks and food. The people are wonderfully welcoming and chirpy. The whole area is made up of peace and tranquillity scattering through the lands atmosphere. You can park your car on sight. They do have plants and herbs that you can buy to take away with you to your house, for reasonable prices. There are many animals that are located they're such as; pigs, rabbits, chip monks, sheep, a goat, chickens, and plenty of ducks. Sometimes they have baby lambs; donkeys, horses and bulls there. They also have many workshop classes there also, such as; Pottery, Screen-printing, wood work, IT skills are taught, and even some community projects. These events are only take place on certain days of the week. They also have a small outdoor theatre that they also only use very rarely, gardens you can go round and a small play ground. I recommend for all to visit, but particularly it is a brilliant visit for parents with children. read more

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I was a bit disappointed by this place. It is lovely to be supporting a charity by coming here and it is a lovely place to relax but .... There isn't a great deal there to see and do. All if the staff and volunteers are very friendly and you can get up close to some animals .... But not many animals .... Anyway, you should all come here and buy something in the cafe/make a donation to support a lovely local charity!! read more

On entry to the farm, there is a park with swings, a play tractor, an adventure park, a slide and a see-saw and of course, benches and tables for the adults! There is a large outdoor chess set for the older children (and adults)! The farm has free range chickens, turkeys and geese. You can pet a pig, goat, sheep, donkey or horse and you can hold the rabbits and guinea pigs. They also have a degu there (a cute little creature). They are also hygiene concious and taps and handwash is also available. You can take a picnic or use the coffee shop and you can always pick up some free range eggs and some bacon/sausages/chops etc - you always know what animal the meat comes from too!! Also, i noticed this summer, they sold some organic veg! There are some lovely nature walks here too and some hidden treasures in the woods (a tree house, activity parks and some steel drums and a large wooden xylophone) as well as a scenic lake with reeds - perfect for bird watching or bug spotting! There is also a pottery shop where you can paint or fire your own artwork. Best of all - this is free - they rely on donations - so if you go, please make sure you support the farm by dropping in some spare cash into the donation box. It is well worth it and still makes for a cheap day out! read more

Amelia Trust run a community Farm just outside Barry. It is a charitable concern which has grown over the years and established itself as a must see place in The Vale. Basically it gives people the opportunity to do supported work or volunteering there giving them work experience, a chance to learn new skills, get confidence and work in a beautiful natural habitat with some amazing animals. I went with my neices a few years ago and I had as much fun as they did. It may be the experience is a little different in driving rain but on a hot summer's day it was lovely. They loved seeing the animals and as it was a working farm we learnt a lot about their welfare too. It took a good couple of hours to wander round everywhere and the cafe was great when we had finished. It was in a big courtyard and there was plenty of space for all the visitors and the food was generous and appetising. There was also a shop come education centre with lots on interesting leaflets on how to get involved. read more

Excellent place for all of the family. Excellent surroundings. I've been coming here for a couple of years with friends and their children and there is always plenty to see and do. It is brilliant place to get children involved with how farm life is run. It's a great learning experience for everyone. It's a wonderful place to amble about in the fresh air, whether the weather is good or not. On a sunny day it's a lovely place to have a picnic and children are safe to run around the playground area. There are good facilities in the cafe and you can buy farm produce whilst you are there. It's a free day out which always helps, especially in the current climate and the volunteers do a fantastic job! read more