Wow, it’s been a hot minute! I know I haven’t written a blog in for-ever, I admit, I have absolutely been caught up in writing my next book, and the one after that. As an author, when inspo strikes, it doesn’t let you stop writing until it’s done with you.

Anyways, this week, we went off into the middle-of-nowhere Ballymoney to hang out with friends at Rose Park Farm. It took us just shy of an hour to get there from Larne and there was a queue to get into the carpark. I gotta admit, despite it being an outdoor farm – I’m in pandemic mode – and I was concerned at the amount of people there’d be based on the number of cars. That said – it’s just *that* big a space, that despite the numbers, it was very well spread out and I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the ‘crowd’.

Rosepark Farm is a family run attraction spread over 70 acres, situated in the North Antrim area, approximately 4 miles outside Ballymoney established on 20th June 2015 and in the great Coronapocalypse of 2020 – you have to book in advance to attend.

What does it have? Well, it’s got a little fairy trail, it’s got two zip lines, it’s got animals, an outdoor play frame with swings, it’s got a HUGE picnic area and a small lake, it’s got a Giant’s chair, a pirate ship, more animals, three bouncy castles, music, animal cuddling – it really has a great amount going for it. The kids had a total blast and were all exhausted by the end of it.

Here’s what I learned:

• This place is cash only. Which I felt was a little unfair considering the social circumstances surrounding our visit. There’s a hut at the top of the carpark and a woman stood checking a clipboard for our booking. No mask, no gloves and she told me cash only. I haven’t carried cash since we started this thing, but I (mercifully) had a tenner lying in my visor for emergencies. It didn’t occur to me to check before hand because just about everywhere I’ve been since March (I’m writing this in August) have ALL opted/insisted on contactless payments, so I do admit to being shocked and a bit put out by this. The staff in the tea room are behind Perspex, but again, no gloves or masks and handling cash just gives me the creeps right now.
• From a Covid-19 perspective (this is going to date this blog post something shocking) masks are currently mandatory in NI, but there is no signage or option to click resources to that fact. Social distancing is not enforced in the tea room (There was a queue of 20 people all standing on top of each other the first time I tried to go in) and I was the only person I saw – during our entire time there – who had a mask in the tea room. There are, however, sanitization stands at various points throughout the park and at the animal stalls. They have plenty of sanitizer.
• The farm is currently open 7 days a week, from 11am-5pm.
• There is a one-way system in place. It’s a huge loop. Wait for your friends in the carpark before embarking on the adventure – even if your kid needs the toilet. Just hang tight. Even the carpark is a one-way-system. You drive in one lane and out the other. It’s all very well organized from that perspective.
• Once again I’ll remind you that you need to book in advance. They are currently taking bookings a week in advance.
• The cost is £5 for both adults and kids. I found this to be an absolute steal! Once you get inside, there are not only the usual farm ‘things’, like animals and a nature trail, but there’s a huge play area and a second area with swings, a large zipline and 3 (!!) bouncy castles. In many other places they’d use these bouncy castles as a money trap and charge more for them (like £1 for 15 minutes). This isn’t the case here. Once you’re in, that’s it. No hidden costs (other than animal food which is 50p per bag and can be purchased at the tea room. The quad train is an additional £2 and under 1’s go free.
• You can bring your own food in for a picnic. Do it. You’re going to be there for at least 2-4 hours if you’re anything like we were. Bring a picnic and fill your boots.
• If it’s been raining, at least wear trainers, I wore my Toms which were fine for the walking that was involved, but the play/picnic area was sodden and I got wet feet.
• Take a change of clothes for the littles – again, it had rained the day before and my kid got soaked rolling and running around and covered in rubber from walking the plank! LOL!
• Here‘s the website.
  
  

That’s all that I can think of off hand, I’m sure I forgot something or other, but in short this place is great. As long as you go in prepared (cash!) it’s great value for money, it’s something lovely to do outdoors either as a family or in a group with friends. The kids loved it, the mama’s got a chance to talk uninterrupted, it was cheap, it was an activity that was outside and not in front of a screen – win, win, win!

Lewis is already asking when we can go back and if we can take his friends and cousins with him.