National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) has announced the finalists for its annual awards which celebrate the best in the industry.
Research by Visit England shows that farm parks are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK’s attractions market.
“With over 20 million visits annually, farm attractions are one of the success stories of UK domestic tourism, ” confirms Colin Evans, NFAN Chairman.
“Our members provide jobs for over 6000 people. And, in the rural communities where they are based, farm parks will often be one of the largest employers. We welcome hundreds of thousands of school children a year onto our farms to teach them about farming and show them where their food comes from.”
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at a special ceremony as part of a three day Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in Brighton. A highlight of the industry year, it gives farm attraction owners and suppliers the chance to network. They also have the opportunity to visit two nearby farm attractions.
Evans described the awards as celebrating ‘the best of the best’ in the sector. Categories recognise educators and innovators, as well as farm restaurants and customer service champions.
“We also recognise the key role played by our industry partners, from the architects and designers to play equipment manufacturers with our Trade Supplier of the Year award, ” he added.
The National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) is a not for profit trade association for farm parks and rural attractions in the UK with over 200 farm attraction members and 80 trade members.
Full list of 2017 Awards Finalists
Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Over 75, 000 visitors) Sponsored by Regency Purchasing
Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey
Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
The Big Sheep, Devon
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
York Maze, York
Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Under 75, 000 visitors) Sponsored by David Taylor Designs
Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Hall Hill Farm, Durham
Little Owl Farm Park, Worcestershire
Spring Barn Farm Park, East Sussex
Innovation Award Sponsored by Marsh & Co Insurance
Hasty’s Adventure Farm, Essex
Marsh Farm, Essex
Mead Open Farm, Buckinghamshire
Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Best Food and Beverage Award Sponsored by Booker Wholesale
Fishers Adventure Farm Park, West Sussex
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
Thrift Farm, Milton Keynes
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best in Education Sponsored by Colour Heroes
Barleylands, Essex
Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey
Hall Hill Farm, Durham
Stockley Farm Park, Cheshire
Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best Digital Presence Sponsored by Partners Leisure
Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire
Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Odds Farm, Buckinghamshire
Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield
Day Maker Award
Adam Price – Cantref Adventure Farm, Powys, Wales
Danny Mitchard – 4 Kingdoms, Berkshire
Dee Naylor – Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Sheffield
Fran Smith – Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Essex
Graham Barclay – Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucstershire
Jim Thompson – Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire
Toni Powell – Walby Farm Park, Cumbria
Best Trade Supplier Sponsored by NFAN
David Taylor Design, Cornwall
Kids Play Childcare, Milton Keynes
Marsh & Co. Insurance, Leicester
Timberplay, Sheffield
