Safety & Hygiene at Gripps Farm

Your safety is our top priority, and we want every visit to Gripps Farm to be fun, relaxed and memorable for the whole family.

As with any working farm or animal attraction, there’s always a small chance of picking up germs from animals, water, or the surrounding environment. The good news is that this risk is easy to manage — a few simple habits go a long way.

It’s worth remembering that animals can carry bacteria without ever looking or acting unwell, which is exactly why good hygiene habits matter every time you visit, not just when something seems off.

Hand Washing Comes First

Washing your hands properly is, hands down, the single best thing you can do to stay healthy during your visit.

Please stop and wash your hands with soap and warm water:

• After handling or stroking any animal
• After touching gates, fences, or rails in the animal enclosures
• Before having a snack or a drink
• After taking off muddy or dirty boots/shoes

Hand sanitiser and wet wipes are handy, but they’re a backup — not a replacement for a proper wash at a sink.

You’ll find hand washing points at the entrance to the Petting Barn and beside the outdoor play area.

Things to Do

• Wash hands often, and do it properly (that means a good 20 seconds with soap!)
• Keep a close eye on children whenever they’re near animals
• Help little ones wash their hands thoroughly — don’t just assume they’ve done it
• Stick to picnic benches or the café for eating and drinking
• Feed animals with a flat, open palm rather than pinched fingers
• Pop a plaster over any cuts or grazes before you arrive
• Let a member of staff know straight away if there’s an accident or injury
• Take extra care around the pond and any water features
• Wear boots or sturdy shoes — the ground can be muddy or uneven in places

Things to Avoid

• Touching your face or mouth while you’re around the animals
• Kissing animals or letting children get face-to-face with them
• Eating or drinking in the animal areas — this includes sweets, crisps and chewing gum
• Eating anything that’s been dropped on the ground
• Poking fingers into pens, hutches, or through fencing
• Feeding animals anything from your picnic or any rubbish/leftovers
• Letting children wander off on their own
• Chasing, startling, or squeezing any of the animals
• Climbing on fences or running through animal enclosures
• Picking up stones, plants, or flowers from the grounds

If You Have Cuts or Grazes

• Cover any existing cuts or grazes before you set off for your visit
• Try to avoid any contact with animal droppings
• If contact does happen, wash your hands straight away
• A first aid point is available near the entrance/ticket office
• Please tell a member of the team about any incident, however small

Visiting While Pregnant

If you’re pregnant, please take a look at our separate guidance on visiting Gripps Farm safely — there are a few extra precautions worth knowing about, particularly around lambing and calving season.

General Site Safety

• Please follow all on-site signage and any instructions from our team
• Stick to the marked visitor paths and designated areas
• Use play equipment sensibly and as intended
• Take extra care with pushchairs, wheelchairs, or mobility scooters, as some paths can be uneven or slippery
• Smoking and vaping are only allowed in the designated area by the car park

Any Questions?

Our team is always happy to help — if anything comes up during your visit, just find a friendly face in a Gripps Farm shirt and ask away.

We hope you have a brilliant, safe day out with us!