What can I do at Folly Farm?

The Folly Farm Centre offers a wide range of environmental courses which will appeal to young and old alike. It is now a residential centre, with 35-plus beds in the farmhouse, and a range of teaching/training rooms in the restored dairy. Day courses will also be offered. Businesses can hire conference facilities in the restored barn, and adjoining accommodation is available in twin-bedded bothies.

The Folly Farm nature reserve completely surrounds the restored farm buildings of the Folly Farm Centre. You’ll discover both mature and recently planted woodland, as well as ancient hedgerows and wildlife meadows, habitats that are vital for the many animals and plants that live at Folly Farm and they are an example of how traditional farming practices can survive in modern agriculture. A historic-landscape survey of Folly Farm in 1992 revealed that the site was once a medieval deer park, and there are notable remnants of a 1780s ferme ornée, with much planting surviving from the 1820s.

What is a ferme ornée?

A ferme ornée was a farm made for enjoyment as part of a large estate – in this case, Sutton Court. It would possess features such as paths laid along field boundaries, watercourses with cascades and pools and ornamental gullies. Elements of the ferme ornée are still visible today, and many of the features have now been restored.

How to get to folly farm

We encourage visitors to use environmentally friendly forms of transport wherever possible. Most of our reserves are easily accessible by bicycle, with many close to the National Cycle Network.

If you are driving:

Travelling southwards from Bristol on the A37 travel through Pensford. At the Chelwood roundabout turn right onto the A368 towards Bishop Sutton. After about 2 miles go past the turning to Chew Magna and take the next small turning on your left very shortly after, just before reaching Stowey.

Or travel by bus from Bristol to Bishop Sutton (nos 673, 674, 675) or to Clutton no 376.