Miniature Shetland Pony Rehomed at Durham Farm Attraction

30th August 2011

Categories: Visitor News

A Durham tourist attraction has re-homed an orphaned miniature Shetland pony as it prepares for the busy school holiday period. The three-month old pony has been hand reared after its mother died and will be accompanied over the summer months at Hall Hill Farm by another foal and mother to help it settle it. 

In addition to the new miniature Shetland ponies, visitors to Hall Hill Farm this summer will be met by more animals than ever after a bumper crop of babies arrived this spring. Starting the newborn season off were two cute pygmy kids born in February. These have been followed by alpaca, chicks, rabbits, kids, Flora the jersey cow’s calf, Jacob triplets, Delilah & Tilly’s piglets, Shetland lambs, Southdown lambs, peachicks and last but not least Rona the highland cattle's black calf. 

The tourist attraction that was named the best Tourism Experience in North East England and also scooped a top prize as the National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN) “Farm Attraction of the Year” is ready to welcome thousands of visitors and holidaymakers through their gates to see the new arrivals.

“2011 has been a great year so far and it is so good to see so many people enjoying the new residents here at Hall Hill Farm,” said Ann Darlington, Tourism Manager, Hall Hill Farm. “We have invested significantly this year in The Playbarn to ensure we continue to offer our visitors a quality and fun experience and visitor numbers for our 30 anniversary year look like exceeding 2010.  

“In a challenging economic climate and with increased competition we are very pleased with business so far and I would like to thank all the staff for all their efforts and hard work, as we all hopefully look forward to a busy summer.” 

Hall Hill Farm, near Lanchester first opened as an attraction in 1981 after inviting people to come and see their lambs during the lambing season. It now employs up to 50 people, welcomes around 60,000 visitors every year attracted by the family fun on offer and the opportunities to see and touch animals at close quarters. 

Visitors can bottle feed lambs, see fluffy chicks, inquisitive goats, magnificent Highland Cattle and get close to children’s favourites such as guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as enjoy a tractor or donkey ride around the beautiful countryside. The popular Playbarn also opened earlier this year providing a fun indoor play area for families to enjoy as well as shelter from the rain or find shade from the sun. 

The farm is open daily from 10.30am - 5.00pm until the autumn.  You can find Hall Hill Farm on Facebook and Twitter (@HallHillFarm) and at www.hallhillfarm.co.uk

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