Please note, we visited in July 2020, shortly following reopening. The details here are based on July/August 2020 and may change as covid restrictions change.
We had originally booked Bluebell Dairy for their Peter Rabbit event in March, however, due to covid, the event was understandably cancelled.
However, as an alternative option during lockdown, the team went out of their way and brought Peter Rabbit to us at home, delivering the make-your-own kit to our front door along with the tickets to the farm for when they reopened.
Already, I was incredibly impressed with the customer service, as it meant so much that we could still enjoy the event activity from home, and we couldn’t wait to visit.
So, as soon as the summer holidays started and Bluebell Dairy had reopened, we were heading to the Peak District for a camping trip, so stopped off at Bluebell Dairy along the way.
Arriving at Bluebell Dairy
When you arrive, there is a large car park on the right. The entrance to the farm is just past the tearoom, where you can find the main toilets, if you want to visit before entering the farm itself.
Bluebell Dairy is a small, working, family-run dairy farm, which is famed for its freshly made ice cream, while still packed with so many things to do with the family and beautiful animals to visit.
You show your tickets to the staff in the hut, who give you wristbands to let you in and out of the farm area.
This is mainly for if you want to head to the toilets or cafe, as everything else is in the main area including activities, play areas, animals and picnic areas, as well as a huge marqee.
Following reopening, there is also a clear one-way system and sanitiser stations around the park, which you will notice when you arrive.
Farm animals
There are so many animals to visit when you visit the farm, such as pigs, alpacas, goats, sheep and stunning Highland cows.
Not only could you see the fantastic animals but there were also clear facts about them all around the farm, so you could learn while you walk!
There are also smaller animals around the farm, such as guinea pigs and rabbits (don’t miss the giant rabbit!) as well as a beautiful aviary, which you can find towards the exit of the one-way system.
There are handwashing stations as well as sanitiser stations around the park.
Animal activities
One of our favourite things about Bluebell Dairy is their daily timetable of animal activities included in the price.
Lily was a huge fan of their sheep walking and goat grooming and activities vary throughout the year. You can even get involved with alpaca walking on some days!
Following Covid, you are only able to access these in family groups or bubbles, but even in mid-July there wasn’t a queue to enjoy these activities and they are free as part of your entry.
The staff were so friendly and helpful, and utensils such as the brushes were disinfected between uses, so no one touched anything that the previous visitor had touched.
You also use the sanitiser before and after each session.
Play areas & activities
There are two amazing play park areas at Bluebell Dairy with elements suitable for all ages, including slides, climbing frames, swings and a sandpit.
Following reopening, you can also expect clear signs and sanitiser stations around the park too.
The girls were huge fans of the jumping pillows, where you were restricted to one family group/bubble per stripe to keep everyone apart. There was a queuing area outside of the pillows and families are restricted to 5 minutes on the pillows to allow everyone to have a turn.
You can find small ride-on tractors and Go Karts to enjoy near the marquee as well as larger motorised tractors. The motorized tractors use £1 coins, so bring your change if you would like to use these.
On top of this, you also have a nature trail to enjoy when you explore the farm and a maize maze is currently open too.
Cow safaris have since started since we last visited which are also included in your entry fee where you learn about the cows on a tractor trailer ride. You can even buy cow food to feed them along the way!
There is an indoor play barn, however this is currently closed. (August 2020)
Events at Bluebell Dairy
There are fantastic seasonal events that run throughout the year, which also each come with their own seasonal ice cream too!
At Halloween you can enjoy their pumpkin picking and they are famous for their spring Mad Hatters tea party at the Easter in Wonderland event.
Events sell out fast, so keep an eye on their Facebook page or events page on their website for the latest information.
Food, drink & ice cream
Access to the tea room is free and you can enjoy a whole range of freshly-made hot and cold food and drinks, including salads, pasta, homemade cakes, sausage rolls, kids meals, and (of course) ICE CREAM!
Bluebell Dairy makes their own ice cream on the farm using the milk from their own cows. They use basic ingredients to make sure it is as natural as possible, and you can find over 25 flavours to choose from as well as seasonal ice creams, such as their special Halloween Deathly Mallows ice cream!
You can even buy tubs from the shop or get the ice cream delivered locally… or even use the fresh milk vending machine while you’re there too!
Lily and her friend enjoyed a kids’ meal from the cafe, which we ate in the covered marquee in the farm, where picnic benches were well spread out with clear social markings. We then had to have an ice cream for the road, which definitely got a thumbs up from all of us!
Accessibility
There is ramp access to the tea rooms and the farm is on the flat to be able to visit with wheelchairs and pushchairs. Be aware that the ground in the animals area is gravel and uneven, being a farm. There is an accessible toilet located in the tearoom as well as disabled portaloos.
Toilet & baby changing facilities
Toilets and baby changing facilities are available in the tea room and there is a one-way system to get to the toilets through the tearoom.
Following reopening, there are also portaloos and disabled portaloos available too.
Location & parking
Address & postcode: Bluebell Dairy, Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7AR.
Booking & prices
Bluebell Dairy is open 10am-5pm every day, with last servings for hot food at 3.45pm.
Dogs on leads are welcome on the farm, just not in the tea room or play areas.
For more information and to book tickets, click here to visit their website
Huge thank you to the team at Bluebell Dairy – a fun, safe and exciting day out where we could enjoy the animals, ice cream and fresh air, surrounded by the beautiful countryside. We’ve already booked again for our next visit, so see you again very soon!
