Hope Nature Centre in Wiltshire

Have been coming here about 4-5 times a year over the last 3 years. We were disappointed this time. I understand that they have moved a few animals around for grazing purposes however there wasnt as many animals as usual. I have always supported them as I love what they do and I understand animals are expensive with vet bills and with food. Which is why iv always felt the price was worthwhile and rather cheap for the costs animals take to maintain. However I left today feeling they should atleast move the signs when animals are moved as I couldn't remember which animals you can or can't feed. I feel atleast half the pens were empty :( and others were just a few more goats or pigs in them. The pens were overgrown in the unused pens. And the ducks very over grown. I asked where the missing animals were and was told they out graizing. It was hot but you can see when they in pens due to the layout. I just feel that a notice stating new layouts or even a sign or online update would be a better way to warn people not all animals as usual are around. There is definitely alot less sheep than usual. I'm disappointed this time. And we watched a budgie escape and the staff were left with a net that was so short they wouldn't be able to catch the bird. Unless sorted out I can not recommend to friends anymore due to being so sparse.

This cafe is absolutely amazing, food is excellent, very high standard of cleanliness and helpful staff.. the walks around the cafe are excellent and parking is very good

We came for a coffee and hot chocolate. The chocolate had to be returned as undrinkable. It was replaced. The cake was good but all in all a big bill. Paper cups are not good enough. Although it was not closing time we were forced out with the noise made by staff cleaning and in the process scraping chairs and tables. We will not be returning nor recommending.

We visited Fairfield Animal Centre because my disabled wife likes animals and she wanted to visit as a Mothers Day treat. The entrance to the cafe had a ramp so we could get my wife's scooter into the cafe, have a drink and sort out our tickets. The exit from the cafe into the park also had a ramp. We got to the bottom of the ramp , turned to go into the park and the first thing we saw was three inch step and no way round it. Luckily my wife can walk short distances so she dismounted and we man handled her scooter up the step, onto the path, and set off. The path past the rabbits was good but when we got into the area reserved for the sheep, goats, emu's and wallabies (no, I am not joking) the quality of the path deteriorated badly. It consisted of a collection of potholes edged with thick mud. My wife's scooter got stuck twice. We expected some mud, it is a farm park after all, but we did not expect such badly maintained paths or a three inch step at the beginning of the path. How is someone who cannot walk and is confined to a wheelchair meant get around the park? As for the animals, well once you have seen one collection of fur balls you have seen them all. We will not be returning.

We had a lovely (if muddy!) wander around the farm with our 5 and 2 year olds feeding some of the animals and finding out some interesting facts, followed by lunch in the café. Really friendly, good value and good portion sizes. The children loved their lunch and we had delicious home made quiche and scotch eggs. It would be useful to have some more boot cleaners before coming back into the building, and maybe a hose to clean off boots and pushchair/wheelchair wheels.

What an amazing party my daughter has had today, thankyou so much to all the staff, you are AMAZING

My daughter had a lovely birthday party here, the staff were so helpful and friendly! They all got to meet and pet the rabbits, guinea pigs and goats. Great party food including ice cream for all the children! Plus the catered for my daughters dairy intolerance and made sure she wasn’t left out.

Visited a few times when it was Hope Nature centre. Animals spaced out and seem well cared for. Great range of play equipment, suitable for a range of ages. We bought a packed lunch there as wanted to sit outside rather than inside in the cafe…. Adult cheese sandwich £3.95 & 1 kids packed lunch £6.50! I felt the kids lunch box was extortionate - containing a drink, HALF a sandwich and 3 snacks… only reason that 5 stars wasn’t given - however there is now a hut which sells lunch items near the play area which does make much more sense rather than having to trek back to cafe! Toilets on way round were clean. I think entry prices have increased a little but not 100%. (Family Pre booking tickets around £32) I’d recommend the place but if you’re watching pennies consider taking a packed lunch!

Great place, clean, well organised, lovely mix of animals to see and my daughter loved the donkey meet and groom experience. Highly recommend.

Sadly the cafe is a shadow of what it used to be. Probably ok if you want a snack and aren't able to compare it with what was there before. Food choice significantly reduced and the great fried breakfast has gone, as have pancakes, goujons etc. Plates replaced with cardboard bowls , mugs and cups replaced with cardboard, steel cutlery gone and is now wood. Daughter's bacon sandwich came in a polystyrene box. Used to have to wait for a table on a Saturday lunch time, today only 3 tables occupied and one of those was staff having lunch, so I guess that I am not the only one who will no longer go there. A real shame.

What a lovely place. Lots of little animals which look very well kept and looked after. You can feed the animals and the goats are particularly greedy! Nicely laid out to wander around with play areas dotted around. I would say this is most suited to the under fives . Play area suitable for older children as well and the younger ones. Lots to see and a nice cafe (we didn’t use it ) gift shop with tempting little gifts . All in all a lovely couple of hours spent here with a three year old.

Passing through on the way to Bournemouth. Stopped at this location by chance. Was very busy , lots of parking surrounded by country on all sides. Much activity supporting young people was visible. The animals although there were the Usual suspects , they seemed to be extremely relaxed and approachable. Wonderful sausage sandwich in the cafe and a stuffed pig for my other half. Some really nice touch’s

Working in Health and Social Care, I support a young gentleman who is currently enjoying some work experience here at the Hope Nature Centre. Right from the start the team made both the young gentleman and myself very welcome. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed.

Stopped here on my way home from longleat celebrating my 30th birthday with my boyfriend and was not disappointed! Absolutely beautiful place! And lovely enclosures for all the animals! Lovely to see rabbits with lots of space, (I’m known as the crazy rabbit lady lol) very nice to see as a lot of animal places I have visited the rabbits especially don’t have the required amount of space! All the animals looked so well loved and looked after was extremely stunning! This is 3 hours away from where I live but I will definitely be visiting again!!

The bacon was very hard and the salad was cut so small was difficult to get on a fork. We have had much better food before there.

As usual a lovely warm welcome and efficient service from the Dream Team at Hope Nature Centre Cafe. Our vegetarian breakfast was well presented and delicious. Saturday mornings just haven't been the same without our weekly post parkrun visit to HNC. Same time next week 😀

Lovely breakfast served by friendly and helpful staff Clean and tidy, quick service. What more could you ask for.

Well kept and great people We visited the park with twins (2yo) and 5yo plus grandparents. Perfect size and clever circular route to take you past the different animals, some of which you can feed Kids also loved the Road train Well maintained play equipment both inside the park and next to the cafe Thank you to Dave, who calmly cleaned up my son’s scrape (no fault) and then called later to check he was ok

Really enjoyed our visit today and there was so much more than I expected. Good variety of farm animals over a big area so social distancing was easy. They have a great kids play area, woodland walk was great and my 18 month old was particularly excited by the painted bus! Definitely worth the money.

Very nice cake and very generous portions, good coffee all served by the friendly and excellent Karen and Stella. Would definitely recommend.

This place is just lovely and the kids most importantly enjoy it. Although the animals are fenced in their allocated areas, there is still an experience of closeness to them. The atmosphere is one that is open and the kids can freely wonder without a fear of danger. With all honesty, this is one of the best things going for Trowbridge

Perfect for young children, even the rain and mud didn’t seem to matter. Big Charlie in the bus was fantastic, cafe team very friendly and helpful. Great day

I took my 1 year old son to visit the animals and he loved it. We stopped to get a bite to eat and was a lovely refreshing break

We visited on a cold wet Sunday afternoon eager to give the kids something to do. It’s a great little centre with plenty to entertain the little ones and plenty of free parking. We visited the cafe afterwards where food, coffee and cakes are available at great prices and huge portions. The team were attentive, interactive and extremely helpful. Keep an eye out for Charlie, he’s an absolute Gent.

On a rainy Sunday we met from Sussex and Gloucestershire. The welcome was warm, the menu interesting and the food really well cooked and presented. Some staff were handicapped and were well trained and friendly. This is a policy of the Centre.The animals were well housed, with informative notes posted on the enclosures, and bags of food could be bought, Play equipment was varied, sturdy and imaginative. Because of heavy rain the pathways would have benefitted from a layer of coarse gravel or decking. Altogether an interesting experience: we would like to come again on a warm dry summer day.

Haven't been for ages but liked the new fresh look however service was painfully slow. I only ordered drinks and they took ages and they were not very busy. Never waited that long before. Difficult keeping children quiet when they have to wait such a long time. Much improved parking.

Popped in with our toddler to visit the nature Centre had a fab time could smell fantastic food as we passed the restaurant on our way home so couldn’t resist popping in ! very nice food and friendly staff and a very reasonable price ended up having a nice chat with Charlie. Really is worth a visit Had a fab time.

Visited the centre today with my family. The children thoroughly enjoy themselves. Staff were friendly and helpful. Bought ice cream from Charlie in the play park - he was very helpful and provided excellent customer service. We will come again!

This is a little hidden gem. The car park was full but cafe quite empty when we arrived. Breakfast is served all day and is very good - decent ingredients served warm with toast. The Centre offers placements for adults with learning difficulties so this can mean service doesn't always go to plan; we nearly ended up with somebody else breakfast and not exactly what we ordered but this did not affect how we enjoyed our breakfast and you really can't fault how friendly and helpful the whole team are. We walked off breakfast in the park afterwards so a good Sunday outing. We will be back!

Fabulous place for young kids, loads to do. Lots of Animals to see, play areas, sand play area with diggers, crazy golf. Lovely food, friendly staff. Lovely family atmosphere.

We hadn't been for a while but decided to stop by for a Sunday breakfast. The cafe and outdoor space had had a bit of refresh and looked very nice. Lovely new play area with some planting around it great from 1 to 5 year old I'd say. Above average breakfast I'd say. Considering location, food and price is all good we'll definitely be returning.

So glad we found this place! £9.50 for 2 adults and 2 children is an absolute bargain to get in, and there was much more there than we were expecting for the price. I went with a friend and 2 18 month olds, and it was perfect for them to explore and meet some anilmals quite close up. Lots of families were there with older children too, and there was plenty to keep them all occupied; little play areas dotted throughout were also great, with lots of space for running around between seeing the animals. There was also lots of space for picnics, but we went to the café where we had a good lunch for a decent price (and as entry was so cheap we really didn't mind anyway!). There was also a mini golf course for older children. Just a fab day out and a real gem. Despite them not having any annual passes left this year (will be on the look out earlier next year!) would still go back multiple times.

A really lovely place and suitable for everyone Lovely walks and a brilliant farm I’ve been here several times and will keep going back

Went back today after a refurb. Very nice food and personal service. Staff were pretty busy but we're friendly and warm.

A real treasure of a place. Was impressed by the cafe and there staff and the farm was really good good amount of animals to see and a really nice woodland walk to go on.

We took our granddaughter for a visit one Saturday afternoon, was £9.50 for 2 adults and 2 children. You can also by animal food at the same time which is 50p per bag, but are animal pasific, we be nice to have a bag that you could use for all animals as some animals were sleeping so food wasn’t required. There is a nice mixture of animals, spread throughout the centre, in between there are play parks for the children. There are also ride on toys dotted around the place for the children to use. There is also a free mini golf course too. There is a mini train, but this was not running at the time, this is at a cost of 50p per person.

So much fun. We came here on a whim to fill a few hours of the morning and see some animals. It was a blast. There is rabbits, Guinea-Pigs, sheep, goats, chipmunk, chickens, ducks, owls, alpaca, emu, pigs etc . You can buy feed for the animals for 50p a bag.

This place is great, a family can get in for less than £10, and free parking. Good selection of animals and various play areas for different aged children.

My friend and I took our kids here today for the first time. They are aged 8, 9, 10 & 11. They all thoroughly enjoyed the animals, play areas and crazy golf! Excellent value for money, lovely clean animal pens, clean fully functioning toilets and a superb cafe with a great range of fair priced, freshly cooked food. We had lunches of jacket spuds, chips, all day brekkies (meat & vegetarian) and then a cream tea and ice creams before we left! We will definitely be back!

I walk in the park regularly and usually pop in for a cuppa or breakfast. Great service and good food. Nature centre is amazing value for money, a gem for children.

Good menu of uncomplicated meals. Good service, with friendly helpful staff. Good, hot food. A lovely venue, with a good atmosphere.

Such a lovely little place and such great prices. The animal park was lovely and the kids loved feeding the animals and stroking them. The kids playgrounds were also well enjoyed. We had a great well priced lunch at the cafe. We had a couple of full English breakfasts, cheese on toast, cake and milkshakes which arrived quickly and were delicious. Will definitely be back. Really good value for money.

Esto es mucho más que un restaurante, hay un pequeño parque de animales en la puerta de al lado con conejos, cobayas, cerdos, además de burro, shhep más. Este es un lugar barato para visitar que le dan unas horas de placer para todas las edades y me encontré a mi padre, quien está viviendo con demencia, una razón para sonreír. Él realmente disfrutamos de interactuar con y alimentar los animales. Había un montón de asientos para sentarse en él ya que fuimos durante todo el año. Para rematar hay un café/restaurante donde se puede disfrutar de un refrigerio. Es ideal para una familia con niños pequeños con minigolf y una infantil.

This is a bright, welcoming cafe which serves a good range of light bites, great cooked breakfast and wholesome lunches.

Dropped into Hope nature centre on a Sunday morning and had a great breakfast good home cooked style food friendly staff. If you are near the centre drop in you wont be dissapointed

Había oído hablar de este lugar de amigos, así que decidimos ir un domingo por la mañana y no nos decepcionó. Todos teníamos el desayuno, que era preciosa no mencionar enorme. Las salchichas vienen de cerdos criados en su propia casa y así hace el tocino. . . . Simplemente delicioso.

Lovely home cooked food every time and always very well presented. The sandwiches looked amazing too. I will definatly go back again and this time order the sandwiches as they looked so well made.

Espero Nature Center es un gran lugar para visitar con niños o mayores parientes. Una maravillosa selección de los animales en el zoológico de mascotas, fantástico equipo jugar en la zona de niños, romántico caminatas en el parque y relájese en la cafetería para volver...

Squirrels Tea Room is a cafe located in the Hope Nature Centre just outside Southwick. So it is adjacent to an Animal Park and a Nature Trail and there are some lovely views available. But those attractions prove extremely popular with parents taking their children out in the school holidays, most notably during the summer months. And those extra customers create a problem for this cafe - the staff are just overwhelmed by the sheer number of customers. I waited about 10 minutes to get to the counter to place my order for a baguette and coffee - the queue stretched back to the door - and then an incredible extra 1/2 hour for the food to actually be delivered - and this is a cold meal! To add insult to injury I saw people who were behind me in the queue getting served with hot meals before me. When my food did eventually arrive the server delivered it to the wrong table (although my table number was clearly marked on both order and the table) and then proceeded to drop the cutlery and serviette when transferring it over to my table. So a further delay whilst they were replaced. No apology or explanation was given for the tardy service.The menu shows a good selection of food available at reasonable prices so I am quite prepared to concede that this could be a decent cafe on a quiet day. But my advice is to avoid this place during the school holidays unless you have a lot of time available - I had to get back to work on my visit. There is no need to actually enter the cafe to check how busy they are - if the main car park is full and cars are parked down the side of the approach road and especially if cars are parked in the (field) overflow car park - then avoid. Just drive (or walk) a few hundred metres up the road to the Bay Tree Cafe at Trowbridge Garden Centre instead.

Después de la siguiente puerta parkrun, mi marido y los niños disfrutaron de un desayuno enorme. A pesar de tener que hacer cola para colocar su orden, la comida rápidamente con la opción de cambio de 1 elemento de desayuno (muy útil si quería tocino...

Look I understand that the point is the centre employs people with learning difficulties and that we should be prepared for that but the state of the park itself shouldn't have anything to do with this.Some of the conditions that these creatures are kept in aren't good. The birds especially do not look healthy. The crazy golf course is unplayable which we were very disappointed about as that was one of reasons we went. It wouldn't look out of place in a 50s butlins and they supply irons instead of putters! I didn't see a member of staff apart from the guy who took our money at the beginning and we didn't dare face the cafe. The whole project needs some money pumping into it and quickly. Would I pay 7 quid again for the family..... No

A comfortable, friendly setting for tasty lunches or simply a morning/afternoon tea and cake. Ideally located for walkers and the courtry park - well suited to children and the infirm with easy access.

A lovely family day out with very reasonable prices. It's so refreshing to find somewhere with such a lovely ethos and community spirit. A little gem of a place with lots of animals, parks and adventures.

The cafe is well presented, clean and tidy, the food is good and the prices reasonable. The service was also good and the staff friendly. Great for a pit stop!

I took my son here last week - he is 3 years old and had a great day despite the drizzle. Plenty to see and enough walking to tire out the children!We had lunch in the cafe which was really tasty, there is plenty to choose from and my son polished his kids meal off.A real must for anyone in the area rain or shine!

Great place to come for lunch. Lovely fresh cooked food and the full English is just wonderful. Very friendly place to come. Often pop in the afternoon for tea and cake with friends.

Great service , decent prices and great food . The cakes in the dessert cabinet look totally scummy only unfortunate thing was you didn't have any chocolate ice creams left . looking forward to returning soon!

Large, tasty and filling lincolnshire sausage and mash with peas and gravy together with a cuppa - what can beat that on a grey summer's day! Excellent value cafe with good food and a moral purpose. Do visit - you won't be disappointed!

Although very busy they were very efficient and served us as soon as possible.Great level of service and very good food.Very interesting animal park to walk around.

Great food, welcome atmosphere, very popular and always a hit! This is the place to get a proper portion and decent pot of tea! Well done and keep up the good work. See you soon!

What a little treasure this place is! Visited over the weekend, and had the best day.Such a friendly atmosphere, all the staff were lovely, all the animals are well looked after and friendly :)I would highly recommend this place for a cheap but fab day out, we will definitely be returning soon!!

This place is a little gem of a place & well worth a visit...whether you are young or old.quite local to us with a great range of animals for the kids to see/feed.you follow a little track round which has a picnic & play area half way round & then at the end is a lovely café with fab food ,cakes ice creams.

Great food, great service and lovely to see gluten free home made cakes all at reasonable prices- we'll be back soon. Thanks

I was visiting Southwick Country Park for the weekly 9am Saturday Parkrun. Afterwards I popped into Hope Nature Centre Cafe on the park. Its a log cabin style cafe, its clean, fresh and has a country/homely feel. I had a small cooked breakfast and a pot of tea. Good value, and the service was friendly and efficient. Enjoyed the visit and would recommend....

Another gem just on the outskirts of Trowbridge. It's all here in one location, a beautiful walk across Southwick Country Park, Hope Nature Centre with its accessible animals and play for the kids rounded off at the warm cafe and those lovely cakes.Nearly all this by volunteers that show the professionals how to do it on a budget.Visit anytime of the year ...never disappointing

After a long dog walk this was a lovely place to rest and relax. The staff were very friendly and the food and drink were delicious. The dog appreciated the facilities too.

Great food especially Sunday lunch but also good for coffee and snacks. Very friendly place and accessible by wheelchair users. Highly recommend.

This well established small restaurant situated in Southwick Country Park is still producing good quality food year after year. I have visited several times over the last few years and have never been disappointed with the quality of the food, the friendly staff and reasonable prices. Well done and keep up the good work

Fantastic service from the minute we walked through the door. Excellent value for money and fantastic food. Will be calling on again after a visit to the nature park.

Had a nice lunch for 2 adults, 3 children on a Sunday. Nice kids picnic boxes available and huge plates of food for the grown ups. Nothing fancy but excellent value for money and friendly service. We would definitely go again.

We visit this the Hope Nature Centre quite frequently and it is very popular. It's worth an hour just to take children around to look at the animals. If you want, you can take a picnic. There is a cost, but the money is in aid of Mencap. The cafe/restaurant does a good selection of snacks and meals, of very good quality and competitively priced. There is ample parking for most of the time with disabled parking as well. Obviously, the centre is only open during the day.

Went for an afternoon at Hope Nature Centre with my three year old. The cafe is located in a large wooden cabin. The whole cabin, plus toilets was spotless. My daughter had a child's sandwich box which was great value at £4.50 & I had the special of chicken goujons which were amazing. The service was quick, all staff very friendly. I just wish I had space afterwards for one of the yummy desserts that were displayed. We will be back!