Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot find the answer to your question on our website or here below, please contact our office.
Murton has summer and winter opening hours.
- Summer (April to mid October), 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm
- Winter (mid October to March), Wed – Sun, 10am to 4pm.
The car park gates close at 4.30pm
- The nature reserve is free for everyone to enjoy all year round.
- Farm entry is £2.50 per child (age 1-15), adults and under 1’s are free entry.
- You can pay for the farm on the day either in the tearoom or the self booking system on the gate when you arrive.
- The tearoom does not take table bookings.
- Anyone can walk on the nature reserve, there are no tickets needed.
- Murton has a large car park which is free to use. We have plenty of space if you are visiting in a large Motorhome or Campervan. There are designated Blue Badge holder spaces next to the tearoom.
- The tearoom is open for everyone to enjoy. There is table service for those eating indoors or on our decking area or you can take away your order to enjoy on our picnic area or head home with.
- The tearoom and decking area is accessible for all and has accessible toilets.
- The visitor farm has grass paths and the land is on quarried ground so there are sloped paths and hills. Wheelchair access can be difficult on our farm, espeically when the ground is soft. Those with mobility issues or who use a wheelchair are welcome to contact the office for further advice or to see if there is something the staff can do to help you during your visit.
- Around 50% of the nature reserve path network is wheelchair accessible with viewing spots and all three bird hides being incorporated into this accessible section. There are many other benches and sit spots for those with mobility issues to rest and walk as far or as little as they wish.
Visitors should read the Farm Conduct and Safety Awareness along with general site information before visiting
- Murton nature reserve is a circular path network of around 1.2 miles. It is suitable for all ages. There are a number of sit spots, viewing points and 3 accessible bird hides.
- The visitor farm has animals incluidng donkeys, Kune Kune pigs, ferrets and rabbits for visitors to see and the play equipment includes trampolines, ride on cars, and a sandpit.
- We are sorry but you will have to leave your dog at home. We have a no dogs policy across our whole site with the exception of fully trained assistance dogs.
- Yes, there are two toilets inside the tearoom (one of which is accessible) and there are a further four toilets at the tearoom building which can be used without entering the tearoom ( one of which is accessible). The toilets are for all visitors to use whether you are using the tearoom or not.
- Murton offers Health Walks twice a months that anyone can book in to and enjoy a stroll on the nature reserve with their staff.
- Seasonal guided walks on the reserve allow staff and volunteers to update visitors on what they might see and hear while at Murton.
- Winter moonlit torch walk events take place between November and February.
- Private nature reserve guided walks and farm animal tours can be booked on request.
- You are very welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy at our picnic area at the front of the tearoom or as you walk on the reserve. There is no food or drinks to be consumed on our visitor farm.
Murton offers various membership options as a way of supporting their work such as Animal Adoptions or becoming a Friend of Murton. They accept donations both online and on site. They accept volunteers of all ages and would be delighted to hear from you.
- Yes, the Rural Skills Cabin or 24ft Tipi and firepit area can be booked for a private event. Whether it is a birthday party, family gathering or a work meeting the team will be happy to help. During the winter months when the tearoom is closed Mon/Tue, it can be hired out for work meetings, or networking events.
Murton run events all year round. They hope to encourage families to enjoy time outdoors and in nature.
Farm Conduct and Safety Awareness
The following information is for anyone who visits the farm while they are on our site whether at an event or as a general visitor.
Please make sure that you read all information before entering the farm. If you have any questions, please ask a member of staff.
The management and staff hope your visit will be enjoyable. In order to ensure your safety please note the following.
• No dogs allowed-except Assistance Dogs
• No entry is permitted to any of the pens/enclosures
• Do not attempt to pet/stroke animals in pens/enclosures – animals may bite, kick or scratch. Animals may carry disease. Animal handling is only in areas with Murton farm staff supervision.
• Do no feed the animals or birds-unless you have purchased feed from the farm shop
• Do not allow children to consume any food stuffs that are not for human consumption e.g. Animal feed
• Do not touch any fences – some have barbed wire on them, others may be electrified
• Do not let children chase, frighten or torment any animals or birds
• Water margins are soft and the water is deep. Stay away from the edge at all times.
• Always wash your hands and supervise your children’s hand washing before you eat and drink and before you leave the farm. A hand washing station is located at the end of the tea room building.
If in doubt or you don’t understand then ask staff.
If you are bitten or scratched by one of the farm animals inform a member of staff.
• Animal contact is only permitted when arranged with farm staff. Children should be advised not to place their face near the animals or put their hands in their mouths after touching any animal.
• Please ensure that after touching any animals and particularly prior to food or drink consumption, children wash and dry their hands thoroughly. If children are in groups, hand washing should be supervised. The hand wash station is located at the tea room. Gels and wet wipes are not sufficient. Children under 5 must wash their hands with adult supervision.
• NO food or drink may be taken onto or consumed on the farm.
• Children must be warned not to eat any food staffs which have gained contact with the ground. If this occurs, please ensure that food stuffs are disposed of.
• Please be aware that annual manure presents a high risk of infection, therefore children should be advised not to touch it. If they do, ensure that they thoroughly wash and dry their hands-this must be done immediately.
• Discard any babies’ dummies and/or food items which have fallen onto the ground at the farm. Refuse bins are located around the farm and tea room. Do not re-use fallen babies’ dummies.
• Persons at high risk of serious infection should observe heightened precaution. Farm animals should be handled by everyone as if the animals are colonized with human enteric pathogens. Children under 5 years, the elderly, immunocompromised persons and pregnant women are at a higher risk for serious infection. Such persons should weigh the risks for contact with farm animals. If allowed to have contact, children under 5 years should be supervised closely by adults, with precautions strictly enforced.
• Prior to departure, please ensure that all children thoroughly wash their hands.
• Prior to departure, please ensure that all footwear is free from faecal material (animal and bird droppings). Footwear scrubbing mats are located at each farm entry/exit point.
Farm and Tearoom closes at 4pm. Last entry into farm at 3.30pm.
General Site Information
Lost children – 1.Inform a member of staff. 2. The pick-up point is at the tea room.
First Aid – Please report any injuries to a member of staff immediately.
Sorry no dogs allowed – We have a no dogs policy across our whole site with the exception of fully trained assistance dogs.
Hand washing facilities are available at the end of the tea room building and must be used after any animal or bird contact.
You are responsible for the supervision of the children you bring with you at all times.
Please view our cancellation policy here
