Play@ Lower Drayton Farm recognised in ‘Oscars’ of farm attraction world
Staffordshire farm park Play@ Lower Drayton Farm was Highly Commended in the Jim Keetch Best Large Farm Attraction for the 2025 National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN) awards during a glittering ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens last month.
This was the first year Play@ was nominated for the top award in what is known as the farming industry ‘Oscars’ – a remarkable achievement considering the attraction has only been open for four years. Other finalists this year included Farmer Palmers Farm Park Ltd in Dorset; Hall Hill Farm in Durham; Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire and Tulleys Farm in West Sussex, with Hall Hill Farm scooping the top award and Play@ Lower Drayton Farm named runner-up.
Since opening to visitors after lockdown in 2020, Play@ Lower Drayton Farm has welcomed over 450,000 visitors with its mix of indoor and outdoor play, animal zones and farm-themed educational activities plus a series of seasonal ticketed events throughout the year.
Farmer Richard Bower, who runs Play@ Lower Drayton Farm alongside father Ray on the family’s 750 acre working beef and arable farm just outside Penkridge, says:
“We’re still pinching ourselves. It was an absolute honour to be named a finalist in these awards, and against such established competition we never expected to be recognised any further. It’s an amazing result and testament to the great team we have built that go above and beyond to ensure families have a fantastic day out with us on the farm. We’d like to say a huge thank you to them and all the businesses who work with us.
“We’re not going to rest on our laurels, through – we have some exciting new events planned in 2025 including a daffodil walk and spring tulip fields event and have started work on the expansion of our indoor play area and animal zones, as well as improvements to the outdoor play. This is just the start!”
Tom Pearcy, NFAN Chair, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to celebrate the nation’s leading farm attractions. Our winners are leaders in their field and thoroughly deserving of this recognition.
“So much hard work goes into running a successful farm attraction and we are proud of the brilliance of all our members. These Awards once again demonstrate just how high the bar has been set in terms of this industry’s ability to deliver memorable experiences and high-quality service to visitors.”
This isn’t the first accolade Play@ Lower Drayton Farm has received - it has been recognised twice in the Enjoy Staffordshire Food & Tourism Awards - as best New Visitor Attraction in 2022 and Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2023. It was also named Family Business of the Year in the 2024 Express & Star Business Awards, and was a finalist in the 2024 Staffordshire University Business Awards.
To find out more about Play@ Lower Drayton Farm head to playatthefarm.co.uk.
