📍 wigginton
Waterfowl Sanctuary & Children's Farm
Small independent family farm near Banbury with ducks, geese, rabbits, goats and emus to feed, a Cuddle Corner for handling baby animals and a children's play area.
✦ We visited
A genuinely small farm with the feel of somewhere run by people who care about the animals rather than the footfall. The Cuddle Corner is the highlight for younger children -- direct contact with baby animals at close quarters is hard to replicate.
The Waterfowl Sanctuary & Children's Farm sits on the edge of Wigginton Heath, a quiet stretch of north Oxfordshire countryside between Banbury and Chipping Norton. It is a small, independently run farm with the kind of calm atmosphere that works particularly well for younger children who find larger parks overwhelming.
The farm's main draw is direct contact with animals. As well as the waterfowl -- ducks, geese and other birds -- that give the place its name, the site has rabbits, gerbils, goats, emus and other farm animals that visitors can feed and watch. The Cuddle Corner is where children can handle baby animals under adult supervision, which is a more hands-on experience than the standard viewing arrangement at most farm parks. The range of animals is broad enough to keep the visit interesting without being so sprawling that it becomes hard to manage with small children.
There is a children's play area with a tractor, swings and a Wendy house alongside the animal areas. The whole site is modest in scale and unshowy, which is part of the appeal: it is an affordable local farm day out rather than a destination attraction, and the informal feel reflects that. One practical detail: the farm currently accepts cash only, so check before you visit.
Good for: animals, outdoors, sensory. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11.
Good to know
What animals can we see at the Waterfowl Sanctuary?
The site has ducks, geese and other waterfowl alongside rabbits, gerbils, goats, emus and other farm animals. In the Cuddle Corner, children can handle baby animals under adult supervision.
Is it cash only at the Waterfowl Sanctuary?
Yes, the farm currently accepts cash payments only on site. Bring cash before you arrive, or check the website in case this has changed.
Is it open every day?
The farm is closed on Mondays outside school holidays. During school holidays it opens seven days a week. Opening hours are 10:30am to 5pm, or dusk in autumn and winter. Always check the website before travelling.