Welcome to Brandon Wood Farm social enterprise. We are based on a 40 acre working farm set in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, near Brandon Village, 5 miles from Coventry City centre.
The social enterprise at Brandon Wood Farm was set up over 2 years ago, with the support of Coventry City Council. The goal was to develop a programme of activities for schools, pre-schools and community groups, a shop for visitors to purchase woodcraft, crafts, cards, plants, vegetables, eggs all handmade or grown at the farm as well as other gift items, and a tea room and tuck shop for pre-booked groups to buy lunch, drinks or snacks. The purpose of the social enterprise was also to develop training and work opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, some who are now employed as sessional assistants, working with visiting groups.
View details: School and Pre-School Group visits
View details: Community Group Visits
View details: Birthday Parties
View details: Gift and Farm Shop
View details: Tea Room
View details: Access and Equality
View details: Contacts
View details: Animals at Brandon Wood
View details: Environmental Projects on Brandon Wood Farm
School and Pre-School Group Visits
Schools and pre-school groups visit Brandon Wood Farm for one of two reasons, a general fun day out, or to specifically link in with areas of the educational curriculum. We are committed to providing hands on, practical, fun, learning experiences for the children.
We offer a wide range of activities for children from reception class to key stage 2 as well as children in pre-schools and play groups. Each visit is carefully planned in advance with the teaching staff to tailor it to meet the individual curriculum requirements of the visiting class, and to provide an enjoyable and fulfilling day for the children. Brandon Wood Farm staff have been trained by CEVAS (the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme). At any one time there is only one class at the farm, usually divided into smaller activity groups with a maximum of 10 children in each, to ensure a quality experience and maximum participation for each child. The small groups usually have 2 experienced Farm staff working with them, one who is likely to have a learning disability, which also gives opportunities for the children in building up their understanding and appreciation of diversity. Class visits for fun days out only are also organised to ensure that the day at the Farm provides the most enjoyable day possible for the children.
Because of the Farm staff team’s knowledge and experience with groups needing extra support, smaller groups of children who would benefit from a specific programme either for a day or a period of weeks or months can be organised. Prices available on request.
What is there to see on the farm?
- There is a wide variety of animals on the Farm including goats, pigs, alpacas, hens, sheep, rabbits, donkeys, Shetland ponies, some rare breed birds and an aviary.
- There are opportunities for the children to engage with many of the animals.
- A tractor and trailer ride around the Farm or in the woods is one of the most popular activities.
- The Farm has a strong environmental theme with a sensory garden, cottage garden, wildlife pond and orchard as well as nearby woodland walks.
- There are 2 poly tunnels for growing plants, and raised beds for growing vegetables, activities which children can take part in as part of their learning, or which they can buy in the shop.
- There is a dedicated education room for children, which provides a space for children’s indoor activities, to leave bags and lunches and have lunch.
- There is also an art and craft room for smaller groups and an outdoor picnic area. There is a kitchen space for groups taking part in in the food to fork programme.
- Our tea room and tuck shop can provide pre-booked packed lunches for children and hot or cold lunches and snacks for accompanying adults.
- Children can buy a memento or small gift from the gift shop to take home with them, many which have been made on the Farm.
- Teachers are given a CD with follow up material for them to use with the children after the visit.
Activities and Curriculum
Activities at the Farm can cover many curriculum areas including science, geography, citizenship, English, history and maths. The teacher’s class curriculum objectives can be discussed as part of the planning process to ensure that these goals are met. Sample lesson plans are available upon request.
Some of the most popular activities on the Farm are:
- Animal related activities, learning what the animals eat and drink and how to care for them, practice how to groom the donkey, walk the alpacas, feed the animals, clean the sheds, and health and safety on the Farm.
- At certain times of the year there are also baby animals for children to interact with, including lambs, baby pygmy goats and baby kune-kune pigs.
- “Food to Fork” programme – children can collect eggs from the hen nests, herbs from the garden and make omelettes, learning about the origins of food
- Natural Habitats: Pond dipping in the wildlife pond, looking for and learning about small insects and animals.
- Practical planting experience e.g. seeds, harvesting vegetables, potting a plant to take home.
- Carding alpaca and sheep wool, seeing a spinning wheel in action, making crafts using countryside materials (a small additional cost may apply to cover materials for items children make to take home)
- Storytelling activities and games related to the countryside.
- Children will be given worksheets to accompany activities on the Farm as appropriate.
- Children can pre-order gift bags for £2 to take home.
Prices
Price per child £5.50
1 adult free with every 5 children, otherwise £5.50 per adult.
Booking deposit of £30 in advance
Minimum group price applies
There may be additional costs for materials if the children make something to take home.
Visiting times
Most school and pre-school groups who book to come to visit arrive at 10-10.15 and leave at 1.45 -2pm. This gives time for the children to engage in a variety of activities and have lunch. Alternative visiting times can be arranged, if necessary. The farm is not open to the general public, only pre-booked groups.
Booking Process
If you would like more information, please phone the school group visits worker Ann Sibley at Brandon Wood Farm, Tel: 024 7678 6818 or email Ann. or download the School Visits Booking Form
Ann works Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You can discuss your requirements with Ann and she will help you to plan the best visit for your school or pre-school group to meet your classes’ educational outcomes, or to arrange a visit as a school or pre-school outing. You can make a provisional booking for a visit for your class or group on the phone or through emailing the booking form. However it is advised that a booking form and £30 deposit be sent as soon as possible to confirm the booking. Ann can send out an invoice for the deposit if wished.
A teacher or nursery staff can organise a free pre-arranged visit to the farm in advance for them to plan the visit if they wish. Brandon Wood Farm staff members are also able to visit a school assembly or nursery group in advance to do a short presentation on the Farm, or meet with teaching staff to give more information or discuss potential visits.
If several classes in a school are interested in coming on a visit to Brandon Wood Farm, a free visit for the children on the school council for a one hour tour of the farm in advance can be organised so they can help plan the visit.
Brandon Wood Farm also has access to rent a minibus with 16 seats to pick up children at a school or nursery within 12 miles of the farm at a reasonable cost.
Community Group Visits
Community groups of all ages and backgrounds are welcome for pre-arranged visits to Brandon Wood Farm. The farm has played host to groups such as teenage parents and their children (through Connexions), older people, volunteer groups, women’s’ groups. A community group may be an organisation or a group of friends. This can be for a leisure visit, a general tour of the farm, a specific activity, or a programme over a number of weeks or months. There are also places for people who wish to use their individualised budget or self-funding, to gain work experience or training in a particular enterprise area.
Brandon Wood Farm is also committed to working with community groups in looking at other funding opportunities to enable groups, especially from disadvantaged groups or areas in accessing activities at Brandon Wood.
For more information on exploring joint funding opportunities contact Jo Ann Dundas
Tel: 024 7678 6818 or email Jo Ann.
What is there to see on the farm?
- There is a wide variety of animals of the farm including goats, pigs, alpacas, hens, sheep, rabbits, donkeys, Shetland ponies, some rare breed birds and an aviary. There are opportunities for the people to engage with some of the animals.
- The Farm has a strong environmental theme with a sensory garden, cottage garden, wildlife pond and orchard as well as nearby woodland walks.
- The Farm has 2 poly tunnels for growing plants, and raised beds for growing vegetables, Groups can take part in these activities or can buy plants in the shop. Flower arrangements and hanging baskets can also be ordered.
- There is a dedicated art room for groups and an outdoor picnic area as well as space for groups having lunch indoors.
- Our tea room and tuck shop can provide pre-booked packed lunches and hot or cold lunches, snacks and drinks for visitors. Afternoon cream teas are popular with some groups.
- Visitors can browse in the shop which sells crafts made at the farm, including handmade cards, and woodcraft, eggs from our hens, and plants and vegetables grown at the farm. Fresh eggs cost 90p a half dozen.
Activities for groups
Some of the most popular activities on the farm are:
- Animal related activities, learning what they eat and drink and how to care for them, practice grooming the donkey, walk the alpacas, feed the animals, clean the sheds, health and safety on a farm.
- At certain times of the year there are also baby animals for groups to interact with, including lambs, baby pygmy goats and baby kune-kune pigs.
- Groups can collect eggs from the hen nests, herbs from the garden and make omelettes, learning about the origins of food. Seasonal groups can also pick fresh vegetables for cooking activities.
- Pond dipping in the wildlife pond, looking for small insects and animals, nature walks in the woods and around the farm.
- Practical planting experience e.g. seeds, harvesting vegetables, potting a plant to take home.
- Carding alpaca and sheep wool, seeing a spinning wheel in action, making crafts with countryside materials. (a small additional cost may apply to cover materials for items groups make to take home.)
- Groups can have a trip in the woods or around the farm on the tractor and trailer.
Price
The price varies on the number of people in the group, the length of the session or visit, and the level of support needed by Farm staff. When you give the Farm this information, they will be able to give you a price.
A minimum price of £25 an hour per group applies. There may be additional costs for materials if the group make something to take home.
Visiting times
The farm is open for groups from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday at present. It is not open at weekends and is not open to the general public, only pre-booked groups.
Booking process
If you would like more information please phone the Community Group Visits worker Ann Sibley at Brandon Wood Farm Tel 024 7678 6818 or email. Ann works Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. You can discuss your requirements with Ann and she will help you to plan the best visit for your group. If you wish, you can arrange to visit the farm prior to booking, or Ann can visit your group directly to discuss it with them. You can make a provisional booking for a visit for your group on the phone or through emailing the booking form. However it is advised that a booking form and £10 deposit be sent as soon as possible to confirm the booking. Ann can send out an invoice for the deposit if wished.
Brandon Wood Farm also has access to rent a minibus with 16 seats to pick up groups at a single venue within 12 miles of the farm at a reasonable cost.
Birthday Parties
Children and Adults can have a unique opportunity to enjoy a birthday party at Brandon Wood Farm.
We offer a choice of all the activities available to adults and school children coming as groups. This may include a walk around the farm or planning something special and different for birthday parties to enjoy. Because of space, parties may be restricted to groups of maximum 12 people to enable a group to do an activity together.
Further information on prices etc will be added to this website soon, In the meantime phone Ann Sibley at Brandon Wood Farm for more information.
Gift and Farm Shop
Brandon Wood Farm has a gift and farm shop, selling crafts made at the farm, including handmade cards, wooden sculptures, bird boxes and tea lights. It also sells eggs from the farm hens at 90p for a half dozen. It sells lots of small gifts for visitors, including school children to buy. In addition to this it sells a wide variety of plants and vegetables grown at the farm. A list of prices of plants can be downloaded here. The plants and vegetables are grown by people with learning disabilities training in horticulture and the shop also gives opportunities for people training in retail skills. The gift shop was developed with the help of staff from EON, with support of Business in the Community.
The shop generally opens only at a time agreed with the visiting groups. On request, they can take some of their stock out to sell in various community venues. Members of the public can also visit the Farm to buy plants, eggs and crafts, but need to be aware that the shop may not always be open and products available.
For more information on the shop phone Tel: 024 7678 6818 and speak with Shelley Mumford.
Tea room
The Brandon Wood Farm tea room provides a relaxed environment for visitors to enjoy lunch, hot drinks and snacks. A menu can be found here. There are indoor and outdoor eating spaces.
The tea room is open between 10 and 2.15 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It is not open at present at weekends or Tuesdays. Individuals or groups can arrange to come for a meal or drinks without visiting the Farm itself, but this needs to be pre-booked as the tea room is not open to the general public. These visitors however need to be aware that they cannot access other parts of the Farm. The tearoom is also used by people with learning disabilities who attend the farm for other activities and provides training in basic catering skills.
Community groups can put in special catering requests as part of their visit to the Farm, for example a cream tea costs £3.50 per person. Local healthy food is used as much as possible, including baking done on the farm. The tea room can also provide small buffets for local companies or organisations. Orders for fresh scones or cakes can also be put in at Brandon Wood Farm Tea Room.
If your query concerns catering for community groups accessing other activities on the farm on a planned visit, contact Ann Sibley. If your query relates specifically to the tea room, booking a meal or putting in an order for cakes or buffet, contact Nick Arnold on 024 7678 6818 or by email.
Access and Equality
Brandon Wood Farm is committed to doing its best to ensure equal opportunities, including accessibility for all who visit.
Disabled parking is available next to the entrance, there are disabled toilet facilities, and doorways to the shop and tea room are wide. The Farm has gravelled and grassy walkways, all wide enough to accept wheelchairs. All areas are wheelchair accessible with the exception currently of some of the areas around the larger animal paddocks and down to the wildlife pond. We are looking at making these areas more accessible in the future. The tractor trailor people carrier has a tail lift to enable wheelchair users to use this.
The farm also aims to be a safe environment for everyone. As well as WorkForward CIC running social enterprises at Brandon Wood Farm, Coventry City Council also provides day activities and training for adults with learning disabilities at the Farm. Brandon Wood Farm recognises and values the interaction of the people who attend the Farm regularly with visitors, in providing a socially inclusive and open environment. Due to the potential for safeguarding issues however, visitors need to stay with their group, rather than going around the farm on their own. Visitors are requested also to speak with respect and show appropriate boundaries with people at the farm, to refrain from discriminatory language and actions such as taking photos of people without their permission.
Assistance Dogs are welcome around the Farm when accompanied by and under the control of their owners. All Assistance Dogs must wear their respective identifying jackets and their identification cards must be carried and shown if required.
The Farm team will be very happy to help you in any way that they can, so please do not hesitate to ask them if you require assistance of any kind.
Brandon Wood Farm Contact details:
WorkForward CIC – Brandon Wood Farm
Brandon Lane, Wolston
Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 3GQ
Tel: 024 7678 6818
Email: brandonwoodfarm@workforward.co.uk
For information on the development of the social enterprises at Brandon Wood Farm, including the employment and training of adults with learning disabilities, and to explore possibilities in regard to networking and building partnerships contact Jo Ann Dundas
For information on School and Community Visits to Brandon Wood Farm contact Ann Sibley.
For information on the shop at Brandon Wood Farm contact Shelley Mumford.
For information on the tearoom at Brandon Wood Farm contact Nick Arnold
Animals at Brandon Wood Farm
- The Alpacas’ names are Dakota, Kansas, Ohio They are all 3 years old. Their breed is originally from Peru and they can stand extremes of hot and cold weather. They are used for transporting logs and goods in the mountains. Their wool is used for rugs and scarves and jumpers. The alpacas are being trained for people to walk them around the paddock.
- We have 2 female kune-kune pigs Kiora and Kiala. They are originally a New Zealand breed, but were bred here. Kiora is the proud mother of 5 piglets born in June 2010.
- The farm has 4 adults pygmy goats that are about 3 years old, 2 male and 2 female, The males are Peter and Paul and the females are Paula and Penelope. The 2 females each had a baby goat in May 2010.
- Our Donkey is Polly. She is 20 years old, but donkeys can live until they are 60 so she is quite young still. Did you know that donkeys originally came from Zebras?
- We have 2 Shetland ponies, Coffee and Cream. They are both 13 years old and have been at the farm since they were small. They are originally from the Shetland Islands.
- There are also 2 older goats at the farm. Sarah is a British Alpine goat and is about 18 years old. Teal is a cross pygmy goat about 10 years old and is a very naughty goat always wanting to know what is going on all the time and getting herself in trouble.
- Sheep. The farm has a herd of 21 ewes and 27 lambs of a breed called Jacobs. There is also an older ram on the farm.
- Speedy the tortoise is the oldest animal at the farm at 35 years old. Speedy in name but not in nature.
- Holly the parrot likes lots of attention. She likes to show off and prefers men to women.
- There are 200 laying hens at the farm. Although they are well fed, they are always hungry.
- The farm has a selection of rare breed birds. This includes 3 pheasants, 1 which are golden pheasants and one which is a reeves pheasant. There are also 2 polish hens, 5 guinea hens, 3 silkies and 2 polish hens.
- There are some ducks and geese that enjoy splashing about in their pond.
- There is also an aviary with cockatiels, finches, budgies, canaries, love birds and quails.
Environmental Projects on Brandon Wood Farm
Over the past two years Brandon Wood Farm has been developing a variety of environmental areas and projects. They have had practical support from a team of volunteers from British Conservation Volunteering Trust (BTCV) and an advisor from Ryton Organic Gardens. These projects offer a range of activities for groups wanting to learn more about the environment, ecology and conservation.
At Brandon Wood Farm you will find a wildlife pond with a pond dipping platform, and a cottage garden with lots of wildflowers. There is a garden area with various areas, including a small wildlife pond, sensory areas, and a memorial garden. The Farm’s most recent project has been to create an orchard with 35 different trees. In the future as these trees grow fruit, there will be opportunities for collecting the fruit, and making jam etc.
The Farm is also currently looking at ideas for developing the old market garden area and another unused area, to increase the capacity of the space for environmental leisure, education and conservation purposes.
Alongside the farm boundary is Brandon Wood which offers other opportunities for people wishing to enjoy or learn about the Woodland environment. A group at the farm also run a composting project, which may also be of interest to visitors.
Brandon Wood Farm may also be of interest to visiting groups because of its history of being a landfill site from the 1970s before it was grassed over.
