Smithills Dean Road is easy to find, right off the main drag in Bolton. Parking is straightforward, and the paths are mostly flat, so pushchairs and wheelchairs roll along just fine. Bring some cash for the feed machines—it’s cheap and the animals notice if you’re empty-handed.
There’s a shop on site, too, if you want to take a bit of the farm home. I always grab a bar of fudge or a silly keyring. It’s the souvenir of a good day, a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is feed a goat and have a laugh.
So next time Saturday rolls around and you’re stuck for ideas, think of Smithills. Put down the remote, grab a pair of wellies, and go have a soft, furry, slightly muddy adventure. Your inner five-year-old will thank you. And the donkeys will, too.
