Home » Outrage over previously free attraction at Folly Farm now labelled ‘extortionate’
Pembrokeshire West Wales

Outrage over previously free attraction at Folly Farm now labelled ‘extortionate’

FOLLY FARM has been blasted online after announcing a charge of £30 per child to bottle feed a baby lamb.

In times gone by, visitors to the popular Pembrokeshire attraction were able to pay an entrance fee, wander around the zoo and watch in amazement at the exotic animals on display, before a short stop at the much-loved petting barn.

Within the petting barn visitors were able to get up close and personal with baby lambs and even feed them a bottle.

This was something that was stopped by the farm in 2009, due to over-demand.

On Tuesday, February 28, the farm proudly took to their Facebook page to notify their visitors that the much-loved feeding experience was back, however slightly different, stating this now comes as a cost, and a rather big one at that.

Taking to Facebook, the farm said: We’re pleased to announce we have a new farm animal experience, similar to our popular zoo animal experiences but available for those aged 3+. 

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“Our new experience allows visitors to meet and feed our lambs. And as with our popular zoo animal experiences it includes a personalised certificate and an ECO soft cuddly lamb to remember your special day. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions of our Jolly Farmers.”

At first the news was met with huge delight, with many commenters reminiscing on past childhood memories, stating they couldn’t wait to return and relive the experience with their children.

However this soon turned to anger when visitors realised that the cost for the experience would now set them back a huge £30 per child.

Within just eight hours since the post was made, it has gained huge traction, with more than 450 comments, the majority of which seem to be negative.

An overwhelming amount of comments criticised the farm, stating that similar experiences were not only free at Folly Farm in previous years, but also at other similar attractions.

Comments on the post said: “Do you pay your workers £30 everytime they feed them?”

“You could buy a pet lamb for the price Folly Farm are charging.”

“Folly farm used to be an affordable day out for families. Not anymore, that’s a shame.”

“£30 per child..is that a misprint?”

“Is this £30 per person? I have 4 children so it would cost me £120 on top of the entrance fee.”

The post gained so much negativity that the farm had to reply to defend its pricing structure and explain the difference between the new experience and what past visitors experienced.

Stating that this experience was more intimate and children would receive a certificate and a cuddly toy.

They replied: “Please note: This experience is very different from the bottle feeding shows we withdrew back in 2009 due to over-demand. 

“These were withdrawn due to us no longer being able to offer them in a safe and managed way. We would often have up to 1000 people all wanting to feed a goat or lamb and this was no longer sustainable. 

“We’re pleased to be able to now offer an experience to meet and feed our lambs but as a paid-for experience to manage demand so it’s now being offered in the same format as our zoo experiences which are a minimum of 20 minutes and more exclusive with just five participants, allowing for more one on one time with the animals and Jolly Farmers. 

“It also includes a personalised certificate and cuddly toy lamb. 

“This is an additional experience we’re offering based on feedback from visitors who’ve requested an experience more suitable for younger visitors and choosing not to take part does not take away from a day at Folly Farm. Thank you for your interest and feedback.”

The response was met by some a bit more positively, however many still called the actions “greedy” “extortionate” and “ridiculous” with many stating it has put them off ever returning to the attraction.

Visitors have called on the attraction to take on the responses from their visitors and revise their pricing.

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