VISITOR ATTRACTION: what’s new and what’s cool at county Antrim’s Streamvale open farm

Streamvale Open Farm, located in the rolling hills of Dundonald, just outside Belfast, is a family-run dairy farm and a top family-friendly attraction, celebrated for its hands-on animal encounters and engaging activities. Open for over 35 years, it offers a blend of fun, education, and rural charm.

Animal Interactions: Visitors can cuddle newborn rabbits, chicks, and ducklings in the Cuddle Corner and Chick House, bottle-feed lambs and kid goats (spring season), and feed cows, donkeys, ponies, sheep, and red deer in the paddocks. Highlights include meeting ex-racehorse Bow (16.3 hands high) and playful baby goats in the Baby Goat Show. The farm is home to chickens, peacocks, turkeys, alpacas, highland cows, and two resident cats (spayed, no kittens). Pet’s Corner and Piggy Palace offer further opportunities to interact with animals, with staff providing food during scheduled feeding times.
Live Demonstrations and Shows: Popular shows include sheepdog demonstrations featuring Pip and Chase, showcasing their agility and herding skills, and sheep shearing and milking demonstrations that educate visitors on wool and dairy production. The farm emphasizes the farm-to-fork concept, with milk from its 250 cows used for on-site ice cream and sold to Dale Farm.
Play Areas and Activities: The farm features Ireland’s first agricultural-themed Play Village, with a Vet’s Clinic, Farm Shop, Milking Parlour, and Mechanics area, encouraging children to learn about farming through role-play. Outdoor attractions include the Trailblazer playground, a zipline, tire swing, go-karts, and the Air Cannon Arena for shooting nerf-like balls. Indoor Play Village offers slides, toy tractors, puzzles, and touch boxes for rainy days. Free tractor and barrel rides, with a new track featuring tunnels and twists, provide scenic views of Stormont and the countryside.
Dining and Facilities: The café serves farm-made ice cream, lunches, and snacks, with reviewers praising its quality and reasonable prices. Baby-changing facilities, accessible restrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible tractor ride ensure inclusivity. The farm is pushchair-friendly, though the nature trail has uneven ground. Visitors are advised to bring wellies and a change of clothes due to hands-on activities.
Gift Shop: The Toy Shed offers farm-themed toys, particularly Living Nature’s premium plush animals, which have boosted sales by 97% per head after a 2024 redesign with better floor layout and Merry-Go-Round displays. However, some visitors note limited variety, such as cuddly toys without animal sounds.
Glamping Pods: En-suite glamping pods with hot tubs, kitchenettes, and Netflix provide a countryside retreat. While scenic and relaxing, some guests find them pricey, citing minor cleanliness issues or lack of small amenities like complimentary milk.
Events and Atmosphere: The farm hosts seasonal events like Easter egg hunts, Halloween Pumpkin Patch, and a Magical Christmas Experience with Santa visits. Staff are consistently praised for being friendly, knowledgeable, and great with children, creating a welcoming environment. The farm feels uncrowded on sunny days, with hand-washing stations and clean facilities enhancing safety.
Practicalities: Located at 38 Ballyhanwood Road, Dundonald, BT5 7SN, the farm is a 15-minute walk from Dundonald International Ice Bowl (no direct bus; taxi recommended from there). Open daily from mid-March to December (10:30 AM–5:00 PM), with admission at £9 for adults, £8.50 for children, £1.50 for toddlers (1-2), and family tickets for £24 (any 6 people). Grandparents can get a season ticket for free return visits within the year. Bookings are advised for events like Halloween or Christmas.

What’s New:

New Seasonal Events: Streamvale’s 2025 season features refreshed events like the Easter Bunny Hop and an expanded Halloween Pumpkin Patch, with new photo opportunities (e.g., wheelbarrows, hay bales). The Christmas Experience may include upgraded activities or higher-quality gifts, building on 2024’s success.
Play Village Enhancements: The agricultural-themed Play Village, introduced recently, will see new role-play elements or costumes to further engage children in learning about farming. The Air Cannon Arena and Trailblazer playground are recent additions likely to be highlighted.
Improved Retail Following the 2024 Toy Shed redesign, which increased toy sales by 97%, the farm may introduce new farm-themed merchandise or interactive displays to capitalise on this success.
Potential Glamping Upgrades: Addressing 2024 feedback about glamping pods, Streamvale may improve amenities (e.g., complimentary milk, better sofa beds) to justify pricing and enhance guest satisfaction.

Practical Information

38 Ballyhanwood Road, Dundonald, BT5 7SN.
Contact: +44 (0)28 9048 3244, www.streamvale.com.
Tips: Check the website for event schedules and book tickets for seasonal activities. Dress for the weather and bring a change of clothes for kids. Combine with nearby attractions like Dundonald International Ice Bowl or Titanic Belfast for a full day out.

Streamvale Open Farm promises a fun, educational, and interactive day out with animals, play areas, and seasonal events, with new enhancements to its Play Village and retail offerings enriching the experience.