In the chocolate box village of Astbury in Cheshire there's more than just the historic church, cottages and pub to attract visitors. For at the heart of this picturesque village is a burgeoning farm shop that boasts a wealth of independent businesses as well as cute animals to visit and a children's play area.
Glebe Farm has long been hailed as a " great afternoon out " by families, as there's plenty for both young and old to see and do on the farm shop site - which boasts a raft of independent shops housed in old barns. There's everything from a tattoo parlour to a beauty salon, yoga studio, toy shop and even a BBQ shop to be found in the various different units on the site which is free to visit.
On the food side, there's a fishmongers as well as the fully-stocked main farm shop with a butchers inside, as well as well-stocked fresh fruit and veg and bakery offering. They've recently extended their range of local beers, gins and wine with its own annex.
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There are a range of farm animals on the site in Astbury, near Congleton, that families can visit - with goats and pigs in the main barn that you can feed with the purchase of a bag of feed from the farm shop for £1. Outside there is also a field full of lovely alpacas, miniature ponies, donkeys and sheep.
Many of the animals at the farm have been rescued, or are on long term loan to the farm, and there is no charge to visit them. There's also a set of caged animal areas with hens, budgies and even a meerkat enclosure.
Kids love the recently-refurbished play area - which is also next to a pretty little duck pond which is busy with cute baby ducks and geese swimming around. There you'll find a slide, climbing frame, swings and seated rockers and see-saw.
Once you head into the main farm shop site, in a quadrangle of old barn buildings you'll find loads of outdoor seating (covered and open-air) where families can enjoy ice creams from the Carte D'Or stand or a range of freshly-cooked treats from the tearooms on the site. Also popular is the large rubber tractor wheel and a colourful modern elephant for the perfect photos.
Shops here include the Toy Box with children's clothes and a range of toys, a reflexology studio, a quirky gift shop and tattoo studio. Inside the BBQ Cavern it's like a treasure trove for barbecue enthusiasts - with everything from state of the art grills to hickory chips and cooking sauces.
Families also love the tractor rides that head off every hour at the weekends - for £1 per person. You get to trundle around the farmland and spot more animals along the way.
The farm, owned by the Lomas family, launched a small shop on the site around 12 years ago - and over the years it has continued to grow, with the addition of the extra shops and attractions for families.
Food at the cafe includes a full breakfast menu served until 11.30am daily including a full English for £7.65, huevos rancheros for £6.95 and all day oatcakes with cheddar and a choice of bacon, sausage or mushrooms for £5.95.
Lunch, served from 11.30am includes the likes of ham, eggs and chips for £6.95, pork or halloumi wrap for £7.50 and a separate kids menu with pizza and chips for £4.50 and fish fingers, sausage or chicken and chips for £4.95.
Ice creams are prices at £2.75 for one scoop, £3.95 for two scoops or £5.25 for a mammoth three scoops.
Recent reviews on TripAdvisor hail Glebe Farm a "great day out" with kids, with user Jessimo saying: "Nice little morning having a walk around the farm feeding the animals. This place isn't far from when we live but we've never been but definitely will be returning to see the animals again and also they have a cracking butchers there.
"It's free to see the animals and I fell in love with the highland cows you can get some animal feed for the farm shop for £1 if you want to feed the animals."
Meanwhile Felicity D posted: "Just visited with our daughter and 3 young grandchildren. Lunch was surprisingly excellent, not "fast food" at all. The children all had sausage, chips & beans (excellent sausages) and the adults cajun wraps and a lamb pie with mushy peas & chips.
"We ate outside on family benches undercover and went on the tractor ride around the farm. The children enjoyed the little playground, had a go on the go carts and visited the toy shop. All looked interesting...with lots of animals to see and pet. A great afternoon out for us all."
The farm also hosts their own music and beer festival in the summer, called "Astonbury", which takes place this weekend (July 1-2) - with entrance once the farm shop closes from 5pm on both nights.
The farm sits just behind the historic Grade I listed St Mary's Church in the village of Astbury, indeed you can see it's spire while you walk around the farm site. Astbury is known as one of Cheshire's prettiest villages, with the clutch of historic cottages around the village green that leads up to the church.
There's also an award-winning pub, The Egerton Arms, that sits right next to the church. It boasts a large beer garden with views out across countryside to the rear.
In the Spring the village green turns completely yellow - with a stunning display of daffodils that has become famous in the area.
Meanwhile the farm shop is not the only family attraction in the village. Just a mile down the same road that Glebe Farm is on you can also find Castaway, a huge indoor play barn and themed play attraction at the site of the Congleton Garden Centre.
Glebe Farm, Peel Lane, Astbury, Cheshire, CW12 4RQ. The farm shop and play area is open Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 5pm. Individual shops on the site have their own opening hours so check ahead to avoid disappointment .
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