Staffordshire farm attraction shortlisted to be named UK’s best

The top award in what is known as the farming industry ‘Oscars’, Best Large Farm Attraction was scooped by Adam Henson’s Cotswold Park Farm in 2024 – and this is the first time that PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm has been shortlisted for the award. Other contenders this year include some of the best-known farm parks across the UK that attract over 75,000 visitors a year – Farmer Palmers Farm Park Ltd in Dorset; Hall Hill Farm in Durham; Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire and Tulleys Farm in West Sussex.

PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm launched in 2020 with the country just coming out of lockdown, and over the past four years has welcomed some 450,000 visitors with its mix of indoor and outdoor play, animal zones and farm-themed educational activities plus a series of seasonal ticketed events throughout the year. The team are no strangers to winning awards, with the farm named recognised twice in the Enjoy Staffordshire Food & Tourism Awards – as best New Visitor Attraction in 2022 and Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the 2023 as well as being finalists in both the Express & Star Business Awards and Staffordshire University Business Awards this year.

Farmer Richard Bower, who runs PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm alongside father Ray on the family’s 750 acre working beef and arable farm just outside Penkridge says: “We are absolutely buzzing to be shortlisted against such fantastic farm attractions in the Best Large Farm Attraction of the Year category. We entered last year but given the fact that the attraction had only been open for three years we weren’t too surprised when we didn’t make the final cut. It’s a real honour just to be shortlisted – as we were for the Crisis Innovation awards back in 2021 for the special NFAN Pandemic Heroes Awards.

“While we can’t wait to hear if we’ve won or not, we’re certainly not resting on our laurels and, after our busy Jingle Ville Christmas event has finished in the New Year work will continue on the expansion of our indoor playbarn – which will see us add an accessible ‘Changing Rooms’ toilet facility to help even more visitors feel safe and welcome on the farm alongside additional play space, seating and more.”

Winners of the annual NFAN Awards will be revealed at an awards gala dinner on Wednesday 29 January 2025 held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Tom Pearcy, NFAN Chair said: “This year, the competition has been exceptionally strong, making it an even greater achievement to be shortlisted. Congratulations to all our members. This is your time to shine! We are looking forward to recognising your incredible achievements by celebrating at our awards presentations in January.”

To find out more about PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm head to playatthefarm.co.uk.