Ferne Cafe in South Somerset

We began our visit with a visit to Nina's Cafe for a cream tea with sandwiches and it was fabulous - a very tasty meal with professional and friendly service. Plenty to see, just a little disappointed that we could not interact with the cats.

Friendly service, food freshly prepared, i had coranation sandwich with salad and tortilla crisps. Yum!! My favourite. wonderful cake and coffee. Love the paw top to my cappuccino. Nice childrens play room. Clean and tidy i would recommend you try.

Chef Richard's cakes are legendary and the food is lovely. An attractive menu for Vegetarians as well, from ethical sources.

Had a gorgeous risotto for lunch, cooked by Richard, the chef. It was perfect for a summer's day lunch. Service is friendly and not rushed, the coffee is good and, for a small cafe, the food offer is excellent.Well worth getting off the beaten track for!

Visited the cafe for coffee, tea and cake which we liked and would recommend to others. The cafe and toilets were clean and well kept,

My wife and I went here for lunch today we both had the vegetable lasagne with side salad, coleslaw and chips. To wash it down Ihad a Pot of Tea and the Wife a coffee, The food and service were excellent well cooked and attentive service. If you wanna pleasant afternoon out head for Ferne a dvisit The Cafe Terry

As part of my boyfriend’s and my transition to vegetarian we wanted to visit an animal sanctuary with farm animals. When we arrived there was a cute little welcome centre with the history of the sanctuary. The lady on the welcome desk was very friendly and helpful! Giving us lots of tips for our visit and a helpful map. The sanctuary itself is lovely, a great half day out for families. There are play things for the children to play on and you can pet the animals if they would like a scratch. There are also adventure trails for the children. When we visited bird flu warnings were still in place so that the birds had to be kept locked up, but usually you would be able to hold these. The birds were kept in nice coops with lots of enrichment for them. Don’t expect the animals to perform or be there for your pleasure though! It’s an animal SANCTUARY not a petting zoo or farm. The cafe’s food was decent, though the brownie was very sickly! The only reason I have given them 3* is because of the hypocrisy in their cafe. Despite being an animal sanctuary that prides itself in rescuing farm animals from the slaughter, they sell meat in their cafe. This was very confusing to us and many of the staff we asked about this! Their reasoning is that customers wouldn’t buy veggie food, but surely most customers come to the sanctuary to see the rescued animals and would respect a choice to serve mainly vegetarian food on the cafe menu? Or at least use free range eggs in the food? My suggestion would be for them to create a menu which replaces the meat with vegetarian substitutes (like veggie sausages). The menu would explain its reasoning in small print at the bottom. In this print it could say something like ‘as an animal sanctuary that prides itself in rescuing farm animals from the slaughter we serve vegetarian food in our restaurant by default. However, if you feel your meal would not be complete without meat, we do stock some frozen sausages and bacon we can use for you at an additional £1 charge. Simply ask your server.’ Such a menu wouldn’t reduce profits as the option is still available but would reduce the hypocrisy of the cafe.

Great place for a snack or a proper lunch - the roasted vegetable risotto is excellent as are the home-made cakes. Ferne does great work with re-homing animals, and is therefore a little hard to get to soyou do need a car, but it's a very enjoyable day out as well as a good venue for lunch.

We have as a family always supported Ferne Animal Sanctuary giving donations financially and items to sell. We were flabbergasted today when we visited to be charged £12 entry fee for 2 adults and 2 children! There are very few animals for the children to see and little else for children to do for the money! We made it very clear that we would NO longer support Ferne Animal Sanctuary as it is a rip off and has become so commercially orientated! I think they have lost their way as money should be spent on helping rehome animals not putting up loads of fancy buildings!

Took the family to visit the Sanctary expecting to view all the animals they say your welcome to vist yet the only things that was there and freely to see was the two turkeys running around with one or two cats. Asked about the other animals but was fobbed off by them saying you had to make an appointment to view dogs and cats and the horses etc was roaming the fields.Rubish day rubish staff WONT BE GOING THERE AGAIN..

Today we revisited Ferne Animal Sanctuary and as we live in London it has been sometime. Since our last visit they have opened a number of new premises and also a proper restaurant awith a chef and what a surprise. The food and service were absolutely excellent and the portions more than enough and we can't wait to return.

Whilst on holiday it was recommended that we pay a visit to Ferne and I'm so glad that we did. The staff/volunteers were so lovely and helpful and really seemed to enjoy answering the childrens many questions. We were so impressed by how much space all of the animals have and how well cared for they clearly are. We had tea and cakes in the cafe which were delicious. We loved it so much that we didn't want to leave! We will definitely be returning as often as possible.

My wife and I are animal mad and we visit sanctuaries when ever we come across one. Several years ago, we stayed one night to break a long journey and our satnav showed Ferne Animal Sanctuary as a local point of interest and we visited it. It was and is wonderful, the only sanctuary that we know which takes in farm animals as well as domestic. We fell in love with it and in particular the cows and pigs. We sponsor Winston a lovely and quite beautiful black and white cow. Being really soft we send him donations and birthday cards etc and twice a year we visit him for a day, a round trip of 300 miles each time. They have also taken in pigs, goats, horses and ponies as well as many cats, dogs, rabbits and various birds. There is a very nice cafe on site, it it very friendly and they produce some tasty snacks and hot and cold drinks. It really is a great place to visit if you love animals and they cater for children with play and adventure areas and they are open all of the year with special activities at Easter, Halloween, Christmas etc.

I visited today with my daughter aged 2. A cold day but well worth a visit. The walks were nice around the grounds of Ferne and lots of animals to see. We loved the kune kune pigs who were vocal and cute. I found it very well kept with healthy happy looking animals. We also visited the restaurant. Only gripe was service a little slow to start with but I had the homemade soup which was delicious. I would definitely visit again.

A warm welcome again at Ferne Cafe by Richard and his helpful team. Service with a smile and tweaking of the dishes provided to accommodate our individual needs. The Christmas menu was varied and delicious, with generous portions, and so was the Valentines menu today. Our next birthday event will be held here too. An entertaining stroll after lunch was enjoyed by us all to see the many animals that Ferne look after. A fabulous place to take children, relaxed and enjoyable what ever the weather.

Es genial para pasar el tiempo paseando al perro a través de los hermosos jardines de Ferne Nature Reserve y después una parada muy necesitada para sostenimiento en su restaurante. Se admiten perros lo que es una ventaja. La comida es preparada mientras espera, abundante...

El miércoles mi marido, un amigo y yo visitamos el Fern Animal Sanctuary. Era un hermoso día de Autmn, era muy tranquilo a pie a través de la zona de bosques y viendo los animales disfrutando su libertad en los campos en un hermoso paisaje. A continuación, visitamos los animales pequeños, gatos, perros, pájaros, cabras e incluso tortugas. Después de nuestro paseo, nos llamaron al cafe (ya que está anunciado) no es un restaurante como parte de sus críticas parecen haber esperado. Tienen un menú encantador si se restringe de chaqueta patatas (que todos tuvimos) y estaban bien, bocadillos, patatas fritas, pasteles, tés, helados y bebidas variadas. El personal era muy amable. Así que me recordó este es un café no es un restaurante y también un considerable número de miembros del personal son voluntarios.

I visited one day with my sister and her 18 month old granddaughter and we were made to feel very welcome?The food was all very nice and for a small cafe they served decent coffee.There are toys available for children and high chairs. The staff were great, the chef at the time was very nice and there were two young girls serving, the one who served us was lovely, I think her name was Ella.

We decided to visit the animal sanctuary on a wet morning on our holiday. We enjoyed a good walk round , nice to see the animals and chat to the friendly staff. Decided to have lunch in the cafe. Staff were pleasant, food was fine and good value for money.

Went to the Tractor Ted event here last Saturday. Had three young children with me who were hungry so we found the restaurant.There were quite a few people there, and s queue to order, although it wasn't clear what the ordering procedure was. Order taken and we sat down at an outside table.After nearly half an hour it was clear that no food had cone out of the kitchen, the only people wAiting for hot food were outside.Some food then came out to a nearby table, but the people had to go and get the spare plate and cutlery they requested. After 15 minutes one more table got 3 sandwiches. A table behind us were getting agitated and went to ask about their food as they had been waiting an hour. They were told they were their food was being plated up, it arrived 10 minutes later! Another table were told they were next and it would be 10 minutes, but after 15 it still hasn't arrived.i went to ask about ours and were told 10 minutes!! I said really 10 and this was confirmed with chef who I could see in kitchen bumbling around, moving things from one place to another with no urgency.During the hour we were waiting drinks orders were coming out, all with things missing!The people behind went in to ask again about theirs and were told it was just being put on!!! 20 minutes after they were told it would be out in ten minutes. They walked at this point!!As we were so hungry and we were next, we decided to stay for ours. My food was sent back strdight away as a blt with a slice of bacon on one side of the baguette only, the other half had a tomato cut in to quarters and a big splodge of Mayo !The spare plate we asked for didn't arrive and after 10 minutes waiting for mine to be rectified I told them not to bother, I had lost the will to live!!Incompetent staff, and very poor customer service.Had we been told the wait for good was 1 hour 10 we would not have bothered, but we weren't told, and were given over optimistic eta when chasing food.

We bought a year family ticket. Great place, lovely animals and gorgeous setting. It is an animal sanctuary but a great few hours.The restaurant is great food and great value and the fact your helping animals in need is an added bonus.

I went to Fern Animal sanctuary with my daughter and 3 grand children.We had a lovely lunch that we ate while laughing at the antics of the chickens that seemed to take a liking to my grandaughter who thought it hilarious to have chickens round her while she ate her lunch.We then went looking at the animals and we learned some interesting facts while walking round.We came across a climbing play area and while my daughter and myself enjoyed the sunshine the children enjoyed playing a game of climb tag.We continued on a lovely walk in the grounds and ended up at the sensory garden.A lovely day had by all thank you hope you go from strength to strength.

We visited on Easter Monday and although the tea room was busy outside, there were a few empty tables inside. We sat at a table outside that had used mugs and plates from the previous diners, these remained at our table for our entire meal. Although it was meant to be table service, we had to ask for menus and approach somebody to place to order. The seating outside was lovely, especially as the weather was nice and overlooks some of the animals. We would visit again but maybe when it's not so busy!

The animals were sparse and the food from the restaurant was poor. I really wanted to enjoy my time at the sanctuary but I was left disappointed. The sensory garden was thoroughly enjoyed by my nearly 2 year old. We will give it another try in the summer when it is in full swing and hope that this was just an off day. Cheap entrance and a good cause, just a little disappointed.

always come and visit Ferne when we are in the area, absolutely LOVE the work all the staff do on site to ensure all the animals are well looked after. Beautiful walk around the sanctuary, gorgeous views, more enjoyable for the children now with the sensory garden and small play areas. The Restaurant is fantastic good for a pit stop on a hot day at Ferne or even on a wet cold day.Hot and cold drinks and food, what more do you want, a nice cuppa tea, all your favourites on menu, and even better since the new chef has arrived and there a lot more choice on the menu, good service and delicious food. Perfect! Well Done Ferne - new female chef is brilliant!PS- the roast on Sundays went down a treat :)

Yesterday our family went for Sunday lunch at Ferne Animal Sanctuary. We were served with a most delicious roast meal, my husband had pork and my daughter and I had beef, followed by fruit crumble for my husband and trifle for us. It was lovely sitting in the window seat in the sun looking out over the sanctuary. I would thoroughly recommend a visit.

Hi visited recently enjoyed a great meal with my husband could not fault it. We have been here before and the quality is consistent.

I visit ferne animal sanctuary often to just walk around the grounds, see the animals and relax in the peaceful atmosphere. At the end of my walks I go into the tea room and have a bite to eat or a cup of tea to warm me up! I'm never disappointed! I highly recommend their hot chocolate fudge cake with some tea, best iv ever tasted and even my grandad had to steel some more off my plate when he'd finished his own! Whilst you eat you can sit inside and look out and watch the various dogs they have at the sanctuary playing in the well sized grassed run / play area for them, which is great to see they are being looked after well during their stay. If you choose to sit outside you maybe accompanied by some resident chickens which I must say are the biggest chickens iv ever seen! But friendly and I had a very amusing time once watching some teenage girls trying to avoid the chickens! Harmless things but funny to watch! My recent visit to the tea room I noticed the various chutneys and biscuits they have, at fantastic value aswell so I bought a box of biscuits and a chutney as a Christmas present for family. I then called my mum and asked if she wanted any, I ended up taking away 20 jars of chutney!!!! The lady working in their kindly gave me a big box to put them all in! They have so many flavours plum and port, festive chutney, ginger preserve,apricot preserve.....great ideas for Christmas hampers! My mum has already put in another order so Il be back soon! Thank you ferne animal sanctuary!

Decided to stop here on way to holiday destination as we have a 9 month old who loves looking at animals! The sanctuary is fab to look around. Lots of different animals all looked well cared for. The café was lovely for lunch. Had a tasty brie and cranberry baguette. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

a delightful little Tea Room .sandwiches and panini made up to high standard and served by a smiling waitress.Seating outside and in.Please visit this well run Sanctuary(free entry ) and support the work here.

We visited on a day when the restaurant was understaffed but the chef/waitress acknowledged our wait and explained the situation to us. The vegetarian menu was varied and we easily found something to suit us all despite not being vege ourselves. The food was very fresh and good value for money.

It's a lovely little place to visit. It is now £5 per family per year, which to be honest the amount of times we go, if we're at a loose end is great value for money. The children love visiting the animals, and love the adventure that is the play equipment. The little tea room is lovely, and perfect when (if) the weather is nice. Recommended Cream Tea!

Lovely little sanctuary with lots to do and see and although it is being added to all the time, still retains its its peacefulness.The tea room has totally, so unfortunately the new menu did not appeal and so we can't comment.However, we would still recommend this for a lovely trip out if you love animals, great scenery and a little piece of the countryside.

I have been here a few times now and each time has been superb!The staff are always friendly and obliging and the food is freshly cooked and tasty. It is so refreshing to have a restaurant that prides itself on its vegetarian products and the meat eaters don't seem to mind either once they've tasted what's on offer.A great place for all ages with lots to see and do in the sanctuary too. In all, well worth a visit!!!

Tremendous place to visit.Wonderful walks and beautiful scenery.Fantastic theme days throughout the year such as the Easter egg hunt and Halloween theme day.My children and I visit a lot during the year and they adore it. The staff are dedicated to helping animals and they seem to prioritise their welfare in the environment.The little cafe is a cute little haven with a simple but tasty menu.Homemade preserves,Christmas puddings, biscuits sweets and more are sold. It is always a treat to visit the Ferne which is a sanctuary for all!

Go here often as it's great to support the sanctuary and the kids love this place. Great tea room, very good value for money and the best chips I have tasted. They even do a mini hot chocolate for the kids. Will be going back to eat more regularly now and have already recommended to friends.

We visited Ferne Animal Sanctuary and really enjoyed it. The animals appear to be really well kept and their living space and welfare is up there with the best we've seen. There is a small children's play area which the kids enjoyed and also an interesting adventure trail. Lots of animals to see.We also visited the tea room and enjoyed nice coffee and light bites. Very pleasant.... clean, friendly service and reasonably priced.The kids were entertained for a couple of hours at the animal sanctuary and tea room so we'll definitely be back.