Frequently Asked Questions

A Choose whether you’re visiting or taking part in a one-to-one animal experience. Browse our experiences or book online now to schedule your visit.

If you’re rearranging a booking email [email protected] for assistance. Please bear with us – we’re in the orchard most of the day so are usually unable to queries until the evening. Email requests are responded to first so this is the best way of contacting us.

Please resist the temptation to contact us by more than one contact method with the same request as we’re easily confused!

PRE-BOOKING FOR  VISITS AND ANIMAL EXPERIENCES IS ESSENTIAL.

A From 10.30am- 3.30pm most days (we do tend to close most Mondays and Wednesdays but this isn’t always the case). It’s essential to pre-book your two hour experience before you come. Unfortunately we can’t accept visitors who haven’t pre-booked their visit. We close for animal rest and feeding between 12.30 and 1.30pm

A Allow up to a couple of hours to explore, play and then chill in the mini Summerhouse cafe. If you’re walking an animal this will be included in your 2 hour booking slot. Please note that your animal walk will take place at some point during your visit and not necessarily at the beginning of your booked slot. Please do try and arrive on time as we give a health and safety briefing at the beginning of the session. Please don’t be tempted arrive early as we’ll usually be helping other people with animal walks and won’t necessarily be available to let you in! If you’re running late do call to let us know – we’ll do our best to fit you in later but this won’t always be possible.

Huckleberry Woods isn’t a huge place, it’s a small family run orchard attraction which is what makes it so different and personal and why we plan for two hour time slots per visitor. (Please try and arrive at the start of your 2 hour experience to avoid knock-on effects on other visitors.)

It’s a small peaceful space – we’re trying to offer something completely different and altogether more personal for our visitors. We’re not like other animal farms who may have loads of animals to see but perhaps are rushed and a bit crowded. Those farms are lovely too – but we’re offering something different and hope to provide a calm, informative experience and some old fashioned fun.

A You must wear closed toed footwear to visit (no flip flops or open toed sandals). YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COME IN IF YOU HAVE OPEN TOED FOOTWEAR AS WE HAVE FREERANGING ANIMALS IN THE ORCHARD. Wellies if it’s been raining otherwise just a stout pair of shoes. (You won’t be able to reschedule or offered a refund if you arrive without the correct footwear).

We don’t treat the orchard with chemicals so there are nettles and rabbit holes which may be hidden by buttercups and other flowers. You might prefer to cover your legs.

Please wear old clothes for private micro piggy encounters. Pigs have inquisitive, dirty noses. Sensible shoes with no toes visible and long trousers are a must.

A The piggies are micro-pigs, bred for their very small size compared to normal, adult pigs. Our piggies are five years old now and about the size of a small dog. They’ve grown out of the tiny piglet stage that’s often featured on the internet. They reach adult size when they’re around four years old. They’ll never grow beyond knee height.

A Fruit, veg and Cherios cereals.

A Yes, food for the animals can be purchased in advance or at the gift shop for £1.10. We don’t put large amounts of food in the containers so the animals remain interested in taking food from visitors throughout the day and don’t get upset tummys. Limited food containers are prepared each day and the number per family is restricted so the animals don’t make themselves sick! Purchase of the food is completely optional. Please don’t bring your own food to feed the animals for the reasons outlined above.

Please don’t attempt to feed the pigs by hand.

A Maximum of one adult and one child per piggy. (Any more and the piggies get frightened). If you have a larger group the walks will be after one another, with rest time in between.

A Adult pigs – about 20 minutes or so, depending of the mood of the piggy on the day.

Younger pig walk is about 10 minutes (this experience is part of the pig walk and play experience which is about a 30 minute experience overall)

A Max one adult or one adult and a child per piggy walk only. You can’t share a pig between children – it always frightens the pigs and they bolt. You’re welcome to bring people to watch your adventure as long as they walk a few paces behind and don’t crowd round you and your piggy. Spectators must have a visitor entry or spectator ticket. Toddlers in your party must be kept well back from the walking pig and be held by the hand at all times. It is your responsibility to make sure your toddler does not approach the pig.

A

Adult pig walks
Minimum 4 years old to walk the pigs.

Younger pigs walk and play experience
Adults (over 16s only)
Over

Teddy Bear Sheep experience
Minimum 2 years

Donkeys
Minimum 9 years old.
​This experience is not suitable for children under 9 years old. (Please note it’s not possible walk the donkeys and carry a child at the same time.)

Alpacas
Minimum 9 years old.
This experience is not suitable for children under 9 years old.

Private micro piggy experience
Minimum 9 years old

A We’d love you to take pictures and post them on your social media to spread the word.

A We have a very small cafe area and there is not enough room to allow for picnics.

It’s not possible to have a picnic in the orchard area as it is an ‘animal contact zone’ and not safe for either yourself or the animals.

Please don’t bring any food into Huckleberry Woods as we have freeranging animals in the orchard including pigs who have an exceptionally good sense of smell.

A The pigs are generally fine with a bit of rain but aren’t great fans of the torrential variety so walks may be postponed if it’s pouring. Best to check with us on the day (call 07929 871465 not the landline as we’re outside all day). Don’t forget to wrap up warm and bring your wellies.

A The donkeys don’t like rain and may have to postpone if it’s raining heavily. Please check with us prior to setting off if it’s looking like it might rain heavily as it’s likely we’ll have to postpone your walk to another day. Just call 07929 871465 on the morning of your visit (don’t call the landline as we’re outside all day and won’t get your message in time)

A You can cancel your animal walk or visit anytime up to 7 days before you’re booked in. If less than 7 days notice is given I’m afraid no refunds will be given. You can reschedule up to 24 hours prior to your booking. Email [email protected] if you would like to make changes to your booking.

Bookings through third parties may be subject to different cancellation policies. Please check your tickets for details.

A Children remain the responsibility of the accompanying adults while at Huckleberry Woods so please do keep an eye on them, particularly around the pigs. Toddlers must be held by the hand at all times and must not approach walking pigs. Please don’t let children near the pig pen, hold onto their fencing or feed them.

We don’t allow animal chasing or other harassment of the animals – they are our much loved pets. Anyone who chases or intentionally upsets the animals or destroys any of the play areas we’ve set up will be asked to leave immediately, along with the rest of their party. Apologies if this sounds harsh but we’ve recently had to euthanize one of our chickens due to an unfortunate incident like this.
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Children’s tickets are for people aged between 2 and 16 years old.

A Yes, amongst other things, we have a small range of nicely made piggy, donkey, sheep, alpaca, chicken and duck related souvenirs to remind you of your visit.

A Yes, plenty of free parking for cars and bikes. Parking is at your own risk. The car park can get muddy after a spell of heavy rain.

A Yes, we have an eco loo for our guests. There are two steps up to the loo.

A I’m afraid we can’t allow dogs onto the premises as we have free ranging animals. Please don’t leave your dogs in hot cars while you visit.

A Click here to see how we’ve adapted our experiences during the Covid 19 period ​

Gift voucher close dates have been extended for the number of months we were closed during the lockdowns during the validity of your voucher. Typcially this is close date 4- 6 months. Please email [email protected] asap to check whether your voucher is still valid.

Bookings cancelled due to the pandemic closure were available for rebooking from 12th April 21 – 31st July 21.

A Faversham is a wonderful medieval market town with spectacular creeks, historic boatyards and home to Shepherd Neame brewery. Whitstable is our closest seaside town – just a 15 minute drive away. And Canterbury is a 20 minute drive away – here’s a flavour of what you can see https://youtu.be/dAMZckh-l7c

A  We have our own airbnb cottage on-site https://airbnb.com/h/cottage-with-micro-animal-encounters or you’re welcome to explore this link to accommodation in the area   https://www.visit-swale.co.uk/stay-and-eat/find-accommodation-in-the-swale-area-of-north-kent-16137/

A Everything revolves around the animals here. Keeping them happy and enriching their lives is at the centre of all we do. We’re proud to be licenced by Swale Borough Council for Training and Exhibiting our animals and we’re regularly inspected. Our licence number is 21/500309. Always ensure the animal premises you visit are fully licenced and know you’re doing your bit to keep animal welfare standards high.