FAQs
General
Yes! We are open. Please pre-book tickets online.
When we reopen, you must book a session online so that we can manage the amount of visitors at any one time.
Find out more here: Ticket Booking Guide
Book tickets here
To book a return visit, please buy tickets as normal and enter the code: RETURNER into the discount code box.
This will make the purchase free. Please note you must also bring evidence of your original visit.
Find out more here: Ticket Booking Guide
No, members can just turn up.
By booking online you guarantee entry to the centre.
You can book online up to an hour before you visit.
The cafe is open to eat in or takeaway.
We have daily activities including Shire Horse talks and animal feedings.
Our animal keepers are also always on hand to answer any questions.
The Woodland Trail quiz is still available, but we encourage that you download and print it at home to avoid any unnecessary contact.
The shop is now open. We also have an increasing a fully stocked online shop: here
Visit
Please refer to our daily timetable
Yes, non visitors of the centre are more than welcome to use the cafe.
Lots of Shire Horses, Shetland Ponies, Pigs and sometimes Piglets, Ducks and Hens.
We also have Red Foxes, Scottish Wildcat, Otters, Polecats, Red Deer, Owls. Please note that it is a requirement of our Zoo Licence that we offer these wildlife animals the opportunity to hide away from the public if they wish to do so we cannot guarantee that they will be visible to you at all times.
You are most likely to see them at their feeding times.
We have 50 acres for you to explore! There are woodland walks and grassy trails to see our horses further afield. Our horses are paddocked each side of the track, they are very friendly and will come to you so that you can see them up close.
Yes, we are currently asking both visitors and members to book a slot online so we can manage the number of people entering the farm at any one time.
Children under the age of 3 are free.
You can purchase bird seed to feed the chickens and ducks. We also have daily animal feedings with our farm staff (please see timetable for times). Due to strict diets you cannot feed our horses.
Unfortunately we are unable to allow dogs into the Centre beyond the cafe, both for the safety of the animals and the dogs. We have free range ducks and hens which may tempt even the best behaved dog!
Assistance dogs are very welcome as long as they are registered with an accredited trainer and must wear a coat or harness indicating their role.
Assistance dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and under strict control. Advance notice of your visit would be helpful as we may have young animals who may be spooked by dogs.
For health and safety reasons we do not offer tractor rides.
If an adult needs an essential companion or carer (i.e. would not be able to visit us unaccompanied) then the carer would pay a reduced rate. Proof of disability documentation will need to be provided e.g. Blue Badge, a copy of the award letter from DWP showing eligibility for disability benefits, or Nimbus Access Card.
We do not offer horse rides.
We always have a selection of horses in the stabled area undercover. The talks are held undercover as is the pony grooming.
All other activities will continue, including the Walk on the Wildside animal feeding, whatever the weather.
All bicycles, scooters, skate boards, rollerblades and footballs are not allowed as this can put yourself, other visitors and the animals in danger.
Opening Times
We are open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 10am to 5pm.
The centre closes at 5pm, but the last admission onto the farm is 4pm.
Getting Here
There is no bus or train service to Cotebrook.
The nearest bus route is in Tarporley 2 miles away, C84 Chester to Crewe, you would need to pre book a taxi from Tarporley.
The nearest train station is Cuddington on the Mid Cheshire line which is about 5 miles away you would need to pre book a taxi from there.
Local taxi’s:
- Apollo Travel 07922 442256
- Billinge Travel 07773 119631 or 01829 732036
- Beannies 01829 751861
- Busy B 07768 051770
- Tarvin Cars 07890 454207
Accessibility
The farm yard is easily accessible with ramps & gentle slopes. The Easier Access Walk to visit the horses further afield is a cinder track and is suitable for most wheelchairs, pushchairs and motor scooters.
The other Walks and Trails around the farm are grassed and may be more difficult depending on the weather.
We do not have wheelchairs for hire.
Vacancies and Work Experience
We do not offer work experience placements.
Please refer to our news section, where any current vacancies will be advertised.
At the moment we do not accept volunteers.
Offers
We no longer offer the Golden Oldies discount.
- Valid when full admission paid on entry to the Centre
- Valid with advance tickets purchased online or tickets purchased on the door
- Not available in conjunction with any other offer
- Valid for the number of people shown on the original ticket
- Valid for one month from the date of visit on the original ticket
- Not valid without a dated receipt from the original visit
Due to COVID-19 and the need to limit number, we require you to book online before you visit.
This can be done upto an hour before you visit.
Cafe and Food
Yes, non visitors of the centre are more than welcome to use the cafe.
You can bring a picnic and use either our outdoor picnic area with benches or inside our exhibition centre. There are also picnic tables around the Walks and Trails.
Please note you cannot consume your own food in the Lakeside Cafe.
Groups of cyclists are welcome but we would appreciate advance notice if there are more than 10 in the group. Please telephone us on 01829 760506 beforehand.
Sorry, we do not hold childrens parties.
Horses
No, we do not do outside events or hire out our horses.
Cotebrook Shire Horse Stud very rarely has horses for sale. However Alistairs son, Matthew King, has his own very successful business buying and selling Shires and Clydesdales and he has one of the largest selections in this country. Please visit https://www.shiresandclydesdales.com
We always take our horses to the National Shire Horse Show held in March every year at Stafford County Showground. This is the largest Shire Show in the World.
We generally attend, the Nantwich Show, The North West and Wales Shire Foal show and the Midlands Shire Foal show (please refer to our news section and social media closer to the time as there is no guarantee we will be there).
No, none of our horses do agricultural work or are ridden.
Fundraising
We are pleased to support local schools, societies and charities and will donate a complimentary family ticket for admission to Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre to help with all your fundraising activities.
Due to the many requests we get, please send your request to the address below, marked FAO fundraising, together with a stamped addressed envelope to post your ticket.
Please note we are only able to accommodate one request per calendar year so any future requests will unfortunately be declined.
Good luck with your fundraising!
