You may read a lot in the news about animal cruelty and how climate and deforestation are affecting species across the globe.
Whether you’re a long-time supporter of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary or are yet to visit us here in the Brentwood countryside, we’ve got plenty to offer when it comes to an affordable activity for families. Here are just a few of the reasons why you need us on your ‘things to do in Essex with children’ radar…
1. We have over 600 rescued animals
If you have an animal fan in the family then we’re definitely the place to visit for a furry / feathery / scaly fix. We’ve given over 600 previously unwanted, neglected or abandoned mammals, birds and reptiles a forever home here at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary! From horses to cows, alpacas to sheep we’ve got so many different types of domestic, farm and exotic animals that there is sure to be a favourite for each family member. Despite a poor start in life for many of them, lots are still happy to be near humans and you will be able to interact with them if they decide to come over and ‘hang out’. We would ask that you don’t feed them though: many of them are on special diets because of their pasts. You can also get even more up close and personal with them if you pre-book an ethical animal experience with us! Suitable for children and their grown-ups age 6-years and above, you can choose from Cow Cuddles, Donkey Date, Sheep Shenanigans, Pony Glow Up or Pig Tickles.
2. It’s wonderful to get into the countryside
It’s always nice to get into the countryside for a breath of fresh air, and with 53 acres here at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary there are plenty of fields, grass walks, trees, plants and green patches to help you forget the urban jungle for a few hours. Bring your own food or grab your lunch in our plant-based café, but either way sit in our designated ‘chill out’ field or at one of the benches in our playground and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors.
3. We have really cool events
As well as our general admission days we also have a ton of fun for the family happening when it comes to special events. We’re talking giant inflatables, foam parties, entertainment, shopping opportunities, pet shows and plenty more! Coming up we have:
We’ll also be adding some more awesome activities to the schedule to make Hopefield even more appealing when it comes to things to do in Essex with children! Keep your eyes on our ‘What’s On’ page on the website. Ticket numbers are restricted for all events so do book ahead of time to save disappointment (plus you’ll get an early bird discounted price if you book ahead of time!).
4. Your support directly funds Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
As an entirely public-funded charity we are completely reliant on the generosity of the public for support. Every ticket sold, every event attended, every cup of coffee bought in our café and every animal sponsorship goes directly back to feeding, housing and caring for our animals. We are so proud of what we do here at the sanctuary, and we couldn’t do it without you. We have some amazing celebrity ambassadors who help spread the word about what we do here, but financially we’re dependent on the goodwill of you, your family and your friends. We know that in these unprecedented post-Covid and economic crisis times that everyone is feeling the pinch, which is why we strive to keep our admission costs down to make us an affordable way to support a local charity.
5. We’re an edutainment activity choice the kids will love
Whilst visiting us here at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids when it comes to seeing and interacting with our residents, we are also sneakily educating them at the same time! Our animal trails, animal stories, visitor centre and education centre have all been designed to gently educate about animal welfare and teach children why some animals make great pets while others don’t. We also have a small allotment area which we’ve created to encourage children to learn more about food, sustainability and growing cycles.
Bonus reason: Our café is awesome!
Our on-site café, Max’s Café, is open when the sanctuary is open and serves up barista made hot drinks, cold drinks, brunch, lunch, kids’ meals, cakes and snacks. We are meat and dairy free but that doesn’t mean taste free! Whether you’re a vegan or not we would absolutely encourage you to give us a try. We’re not trying to convert anybody; we’re just trying to show that plant-based is not something you need to avoid. Go on… give us a try!
There are, of course, many more reasons to come and visit us so we do hope to welcome you to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in the near future if it’s things to do with children in Essex you’re after. We’re just a five-minute drive from Brentwood town centre, and ten-minutes from the A12 and the M25. We have plenty of free parking on site, and don’t forget to also visit our gift shop on your way out. See you soon, HOPEfully.
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