Micro pig walks - Frequently Asked Questions - Huckleberry Woods

Frequently asked questions

Q How does booking work?
A Choose whether you're visiting or taking part in a one-to-one animal experience. Then simply visit our online booking calendar to schedule your visit www.huckleberrywoods.co.uk/book

If you're rearranging a booking
email belinda@huckleberrywoods.co.uk
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!

Q What are your opening hours?
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

Q How long should I allow for a visit?
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.

Q What should I wear?
A Wellies if it's been raining otherwise just a stout pair of shoes. 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 don't wear flip flops or open toed sandals. (If you have booked in to walk the pigs, donkeys, sheep or alpacas and don't have closed toed footwear, I'm afraid your walk will be cancelled and no refund will be available).
Please wear old clothes for piglet experiences. Piglets have inquisitive, dirty noses. Sensible shoes with no toes visible and long trousers are a must. If you're wearing flip flops or sandals you won't be able to go in with the piglets and no refund will be given.

Q How big are the piggies?
A The piggies are micro-pigs, bred for their very small size compared to normal, adult pigs. Our piggies are four 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 three years old. They'll never grow beyond knee height.

Q What is their favourite thing to eat?
A Fruit, veg and Cherios cereals.

Q Can I buy food for the animals?
A Yes, food for the animals can be purchased at the gift shop for £1. (PLEASE NOTE DURING THE COVID 19 EPIDEMIC FOOD WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-PURCHASE ONLINE FOR COLLECTION WHEN YOU ARRIVE) 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 containers 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.

Q How many people can walk a pig at once?
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.

Q How long are the pig walks?
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)

Q Can I share my pig walk with someone else?
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 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.

Q What is the minimum age for walking the animals?

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
P
Q Can I take pictures?
A We'd love you to take pictures and post them on your social media to spread the word.

Q Can I bring a picnic?
A (PICNICS ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE PLACE CURRENTLY DUE TO THE COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS) You're welcome to bring a small picnic to eat in the little summerhouse if no one else is using it. Picnics anywhere else in the orchard are not possible due to this being an area of animal contact. Any food you bring in should not be carried around the orchard as there are free ranging animals about. Please either leave your picnic in the car and collect it when you're ready or put it inside the gated summerhouse area. Please wash your hands before eating or drinking. Please tidy up after your picnic and take all rubbish home with you. Any rubbish left blowing around the orchard can be fatal to the animals.

Q Do pig walks still go ahead if it rains?
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.

Q Do donkey walks still go ahead if it rains?
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)

Q What's the cancellation policy?
A You can cancel your animal walk or visit anytime up to 7 days before you're booked in. Please note a 3.9% cancellation charge applies. 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 belinda@huckleberrywoods if you would like to make changes to your booking

Q What is your children's policy?
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.

Children's tickets are for people aged between 2 and 16 years old.

Q Is there a gift shop?
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. (DURING THE COVID 19 EPIDEMIC THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-PURCHASE ONLINE ONLY FOR COLLECTION DURING YOUR VISIT)

Q Is there parking?
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.

Q Are there toilets?
A Yes, we have an eco loo for our guests. There are two steps up to the loo.

Q Do you allow dogs?
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.

Q Covid 19 policy.
A Click here to  see how we've adapted our experiences during the Covid 19 period

Q What else can I do in the area
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

If you have any particular questions just call 07929 871465 or email belinda@huckleberrywoods.co.uk
and we'll do our best to answer.

Please note, Huckleberry Woods is a strictly no smoking or vaping environment, this includes the woodland car park.

Pig ready for a day out

BOOK HERE

For special requests call 07929 871465
or email belinda@huckleberrywoods.co.uk