Last Updated on 10/04/2026 by Ting Dalton
As I slowly came round from a deep sleep, the room was pitch black, and the sound of the rain above my head was deafening. But even above the noise of the water pelting our canvas roof, I could hear the deep, throaty roars of the stags in the open fields behind us. For a moment, I thought I was in Jurassic Park, not the rolling countryside of Berkshire.
Even the kids later commented that it sounded like there were dinosaurs roaming behind our glamping tent, but rather than being frightened, they loved it and thought that being in our very own Jurassic World was ‘cool’. We’d come to Bucklebury Farm Park for the weekend and had been warned that it was prime mating season for the herd of deer.
Bucklebury Farm Park is a 77-acre working farm and deer safari park tucked away in the Pang Valley near Reading. It’s one of those places that ticks every box for a family day out – animals to feed, outdoor play areas, indoor soft play for rainy days, and a tractor-drawn deer safari that had our two completely transfixed. We enjoyed it so much as day visitors that we ended up booking an overnight glamping stay – and I’d recommend both.
What to do at Bucklebury Farm Park
What isn’t there to do? That was the beauty of Bucklebury Farm. While there are many attractions close by, including Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame, the farm itself is set within the oldest landed estate in Berkshire. There are numerous walks and pretty villages to discover, and going for long bike rides would be perfect in drier, sunnier conditions.
But there really isn’t any need to leave the farm. Our children loved every bit of it. Being able to walk within minutes from our front door to the mini football pitch, go-kart track, giant bouncing pillow, assault course, zip wire and adventure playground was a complete bonus.
Deer safari
The highlight for us – and for most families, judging by the queue – was the deer safari tractor ride. You climb aboard a tractor-drawn trailer and head out through the fields to see over 100 deer across four breeds: Red, Sika, Fallow and Axis. The kids got to feed them as they came right up to the trailer, which was a real thrill.
During spring and summer, the tractor rides run throughout the day. In winter or when the ground is too wet, there’s a walking tour to a viewing platform instead. The tractor ride is included in your entry ticket, though it’s worth booking your time slot early in the day as they can fill up – especially during school holidays.
Animals and hands-on activities
Bucklebury is a working farm and there are animals everywhere. The daily schedule includes Pat-a-Pet sessions with rabbits and guinea pigs, goat walking, and the chance to meet pigs, donkeys, ponies, chickens, alpacas and sheep. In spring, you can bottle-feed baby lambs – Monkey and Peanut would have stayed in that pen all day if we’d let them.
Play areas
The indoor slides were a welcome activity to get out of the rain. One slide was practically vertical, and it took a few deep breaths from Monkey before he braved it. We couldn’t get him off it after that. There’s also a soft play barn (worth booking your slot online in advance), plus the outdoor adventure playground with sandpit and pedal tractors. The jumping pillow was another firm favourite.
For older children, there’s a seasonal maize maze during summer and autumn, plus woodland nature trails and a lookout tower with views across the deer park.
Family fun even in the rain
The fact that we didn’t even leave Bucklebury Farm except to go to dinner on Saturday night says it all. Before we arrived, I was envisaging all of us sitting around, bored, cold and miserable. How wrong I was. Sure, we had to wear wellies and kagools all day, but the deer safari was brilliant – we all enjoyed learning about the different deer breeds. We walked around the farm to get close to all the animals, explored the nature trail, and kept returning to the play areas. The kids had so much fun, and it was great to see them enjoying the outdoors even in bad weather.
Bucklebury Farm cafe and farm shop
The Bucklebury Farm Cafe is in the heart of the farm park and open daily from 8:30am to 4pm. You don’t need a farm entry ticket to visit the cafe, which is handy if you’re just popping in for coffee. It serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea – think artisan coffee, cakes, pastries and light seasonal bites. There’s a children’s lunch package too.
The farm shop sells local produce, including fresh eggs, honey and bread, plus a gift shop with toys and books. If you need a wider range of essentials, there’s a supermarket about 10 minutes’ drive away in Thatcham.
Picnics are welcome – there are plenty of picnic benches dotted around the park.
Glamping at Bucklebury Farm Park
If you love the farm as a day visit, staying overnight takes it to another level. Bucklebury has five rustic-luxe glamping tents hidden in the woods overlooking the deer fields. There’s no electricity and no wi-fi – which sounds daunting, but it’s part of the appeal. You light the tent with candles and oil lamps, cook on a wood-burning stove, and the silence at night is something else (apart from the roaring stags, obviously).
Inside the glamping tent
Each tent sleeps up to six people and is far more spacious than you’d expect. Ours had two bedrooms, a bathroom with a flushing toilet and hot shower, and an open-plan living area with a sofa and dining table centred around the wood-burning stove. Once that fire got going, it was warm and cosy inside.
From plenty of wood and kindling, pots and pans, cutlery and dinnerware, to a kettle and coffee maker – the tent had everything we needed to cook our own meals. Fresh towels and bed linen are provided. There’s also a BBQ and outdoor furniture for warmer evenings.
While the kids had bunk beds in their room, we had a decent-sized double bed and warm duvets. There’s also a cupboard bed that the children immediately designated as their den – it could easily sleep two more.
The bathroom was a good size with a cubicle shower, a large sink and a toilet. Because there’s a decent covered porch area outside, we could leave our muddy wellies out of the rain but not inside the tent.
Top tip: Bring extra torches. It gets very dark both at night and early in the morning, and while candles and matches are provided, a head torch makes life much easier. A portable gas stove is also worth packing if you want a quick morning coffee without having to light the fire first.
What glamping guests get
The best perk of staying overnight is having the run of the entire farm after the day visitors leave. The play areas and animals are still accessible, and walking around the farm in the evening with deer coming right up to the fence by the tents was magical. Glamping guests also get free access to all farm activities during the day, plus a 10% discount at the cafe and farm shop.
Check-in is between 4pm and 6pm, and checkout is by 10am – though you’re welcome to stay and enjoy the farm for the rest of the day.
Eating out near Bucklebury Farm
If you’d rather eat out one evening, there are some great pubs nearby. We had a lovely meal at The Old Boot Inn in Stanford Dingley, only about 10 minutes’ drive away. It’s a beautiful 18th-century pub with roaring fires, a family-friendly garden and a seasonal menu of British pub classics. They’ve also added heated teepees in the garden for outdoor dining. The Bull Inn in Stanford Dingley is another good option if you’re after another pub option.
Practical information
- Address: Bucklebury Farm Park, Bucklebury, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 6RR
- Opening hours: Farm and farm shop 9:30am–5pm daily. Cafe 8:30am–4pm daily.
- Day visit prices (peak – holidays and weekends): Adults £15.45, Children £13.95, Under 2s free, Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £50. Off-peak (term-time weekdays) prices are lower.
- Glamping: Five tents, sleeping up to 6 people each. Prices from around £200+ per night – book via the Bucklebury Farm website.
- Payments: Card only – no cash accepted.
- Parking: Free, with plenty of space.
- Dogs: Welcome in the cafe and farm shop only. Not permitted in the farm or play areas (service dogs excepted).
- Booking: Online booking recommended, especially for soft play slots and tractor ride times during school holidays.
- Accessibility: Paths are gravel, which may not be suitable for mobility scooters. Contact the farm in advance for specific accessibility queries.
Final thoughts on Bucklebury Farm Park
My husband has already told me he’d like to return in the summer. Being able to sit outside and use the BBQ would make the glamping stay even more enjoyable, as would roaming the farm without getting sopping wet.
The weather aside, we had a brilliant time. The glamping tent was spacious yet cosy and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. And Bucklebury Farm Park itself is a fantastic day out for the whole family – a testament to its popularity that, even in torrential rain, there was a good stream of visitors throughout the day.
What made the weekend special was being able to enjoy a different type of experience. The kids were in awe of the glamping tent and the proximity to all the fun. We loved being able to switch off, have a screen-free break and spend quality time together as a family.
So all in all, a huge success – and if it’s raining, don’t let that put you off. If I can have a good time, anyone can.
FAQs
Is Bucklebury Farm Park worth visiting?
Yes – it’s one of the best family farm parks in Berkshire. There’s easily a full day’s worth of activities between the deer safari, animals, play areas and soft play. It’s particularly good for children under 10, though older kids will enjoy the maize maze (seasonal) and zip wire too.
How long do you need at Bucklebury Farm Park?
We’d recommend at least 3–4 hours for a day visit, though you could easily fill a whole day. If you’re visiting with young children, build in time for the tractor ride, Pat-a-Pet sessions and soft play.
Can you stay overnight at Bucklebury Farm Park?
Yes – the farm has five glamping tents in the woods, each sleeping up to six. There’s no electricity, but the tents come with comfortable beds, a wood-burning stove, an ensuite bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Overnight guests get free access to all farm activities.
Is Bucklebury Farm Park good for toddlers?
It’s ideal for toddlers. Under 2s get free entry, there’s a dedicated toddler section in the soft play, and the animal interactions (feeding lambs, cuddling guinea pigs) are perfect for little ones. The bouncing pillow and sandpit are also big hits with the younger ones.
What is there to do near Bucklebury Farm Park?
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) is about 20 minutes’ drive away. The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys and Basildon Park (National Trust) are also close by. For food, The Old Boot Inn and The Bull Inn in Stanford Dingley are both within 10 minutes.
Is Bucklebury Farm Park the one owned by the Middletons?
The farm is in Bucklebury village, which is where the Middleton family are from. The farm park was purchased by James Matthews and Pippa Middleton in 2021.