A PETTING zoo has proved a runaway success at a Worth Valley farm this summer.

The Pepper family opened up Windle Farm to the public earlier this year and the huge response has led to five-days-a-week opening.

Families are able to get “up close and personal” with goats, pigs, chickens, llamas, alpacas, cattle, sheep, ponies, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs.

There is also an outdoor play area with bouncy castle, swings and slide, trampoline, as well as ‘ride-ons’, large indoor sandpit, pedal tractor, and a takeaway tearoom.

Tracy and Stephen Pepper plan to continue with the activities at weekends through September and by appointment during the winter months.

The Pepper family have been farming at Windle House Farm, above Oxenhope, for two generations, since 1964.

Tracy and Stephen and their four children opened the petting farm following the success of other activities for the public.

Tracy said: “We offer camping and glamping, tearoom, alpaca treks, afternoon teas, pie and pasty nights, school trips, Farm to Ewe school and care home visits, corporate team-building days, children’s birthday parties and more.

“Our most favourite part of our business is the petting farm which allows people to visit and get up close and personal with a selection of our farm animals.

“We have always taken great pride in our livestock and have consequently won several major shows over the past 25 years.

“A farm visit gives children the opportunity to connect with the living environment. Interacting with animals provides a very rich, hands-on learning experience in which both formal and informal education can flourish.”

“Our farm is set in idyllic reservoir land offering beautiful scenery in the heart of Bronte Country situated right next to the famous Haworth Moor and a few minutes’ drive from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.”

Tracy said the family opened between May and September to fit in with the family’s workload over the winter months. Weekend opening will continue into October if the weather permits.

Visit the Windle Farm’s Facebook page for further information.