The Rare Breeds Centre

Bring the whole family to The Rare Breeds Centre, a fun-filled, educational day out set in 100 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. Perfect for young children, there’s plenty to see, do, and explore on this real, working farm.

Start your adventure in our Children’s Barn where you’ll meet and stroke friendly animals. Wander around our enclosures and meadows to see rare breeds of pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, horses, geese, and even exotic birds in our aviary. You’ll also get to meet our playful goats, long-horn cattle, adorable donkeys, and our cheeky ferrets in their special enclosure.

For a truly unique experience, join in with our famous pig racing from April to October. Choose your favourite pig or human and cheer them on as they race to the finish line!

In the summer months, don’t miss our Butterfly Tunnel, where you can see stunning native and tropical butterflies, including species from South America, Africa, and beyond. Just around the corner, explore our Discovery Garden, filled with seasonal fruit and vegetables. Keep an eye out – you might spot a juicy strawberry ready for the picking!

Hop on one of our tractor-trailer rides, which run daily and are now wheelchair accessible, so everyone can join in the fun. The ride takes you up to the top of the farm, past our adventure playparks and meadows, where you’ll find three scenic woodland trails. Don’t miss taking these trails when the woods are filled with bluebells!

For hours of active fun, explore The Mysterious Marsh, where adults and kids can practice their balancing, climbing, and swinging skills while avoiding touching the ground to avoid marsh trolls! Or head to Hill Fort, where there’s a zipwire, giant tube maze, wooden hill fort, and an outdoor assault course that’s perfect for energetic explorers.

Don’t miss our brand-new tractor village! Right next to the pig racing track, this new addition to the farm lets little farmers take the wheel on a variety of fun ride-on tractors. Plus, little ones love our Storytelling Wednesdays in the Discovery Zone and our soft play area near the farm entrance.

When it’s time to take a break, our Granary Restaurant offers delicious freshly cooked meals, including vegan and gluten-free options and on occasion, freshly baked cakes and cookies. Along with two other outlets on the farm, the Granary also offers delicious barista coffee with milk alternatives, a variety of teas, snacks and soft drinks and plenty of yummy ice cream choices.

There’s always something new happening at The Rare Breeds Centre, so be sure to check our website for the latest events and updates.

The best part? Every visit supports Canterbury Oast Trust, our charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism to live their best lives.