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Forge Mill Farm is a small farm nestled in West Bromwich. It’s a great spot for families to enjoy a few hours outdoors, without breaking the bank. With friendly farmyard animals, seasonal events, and plenty of activities for kids, it’s a lovely local gem for an afternoon out.
Forge Mill Farm Overview
Forge Mill Farm is home to a small variety of farm animals, including sheep, pigs, goats, cows, and chickens. Visitors can get up close with these friendly farm animals, and there's even an opportunity to feed the goats and sheep (£1.50 per bag of animal feed).
The farm offers seasonal activities and events, like pumpkin picking, lambing, and sunflower fields, making it a lively and interactive place for families to visit year-round. You can explore the extended farm trail and enjoy hands-on experiences like goat milking and chick handling, providing a fun and educational few hours out. The farm currently has a 4.3-star rating on Google Reviews, with over 1,396 reviews in total.
The Brand-New Natural Play Barn
We had the chance to be among the first visitors to experience the brand-new Natural Play Barn at Forge Mill Farm. The barn is aimed at children under 14 (...although I wouldn't say those older than 8 would enjoy it as it may not be challenging or big enough), offering an hour of play for an additional £3 per child in addition to the farm's entrance fee (under 2s go free). You can book your time slot in advance to secure your spot.
The new Play Barn is beautifully farmyard-themed. It features two slides (a blue double-slide and yellow swirl tunnel slide), a treehouse structure, a rock-climbing mini-wall, and a sit-on pretend tractor. For younger visitors, there's a dedicated toddler area with soft play animals and two smaller slides. Alongside the play equipment, the barn also includes an indoor seating area, a party room, and modern restroom facilities.
You can see a video of our visit to the play barn here.
What we loved:
The Natural Play Barn is beautifully themed with plenty of open space, making the seating area feel spacious and comfortable, unlike many cramped indoor play areas. It's fully air-conditioned, making it an ideal spot to escape the heat during hot summer days.
The time-slot system is a great feature, as it limits the number of children playing at once, preventing overcrowding and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience. It is a much-needed addition to the farm.
What we didn't love as much:
While the play area is more suited to children aged 4+, younger ones can enjoy a smaller section too. That said, if your child isn’t a fan of heights (like mine) or is not a natural climber, they may struggle with the equipment. Both of the slides are only accessible by climbing through small gaps, climbing across netting, or clambering up a mini rock-climbing style wall. Adding stairs would make it more accessible for a broader age group.
While the play barn is thoughtfully designed, some children may find themselves getting bored quicker than expected, as the play area is a lot smaller than anticipated and not really suited to a broad age group. Given the size of the building, I did expect it to be on a much larger scale. We stayed for about 45 minutes before our son got bored and wanted to leave.
What could be improved:
Unfortunately, the play barn at Forge Mill Farm isn't very suitable for disabled visitors. The play structures, including small climbing spaces, netting, ladders to the tree house, and the small rock climbing wall, for example, are physically demanding and may be challenging for children with mobility limitations. Additionally, there are no ramps or alternative ways to access certain play features, such as the slides, which can only be reached by climbing. Adding an accessible area would be a welcome improvement.
Another suggestion I’d have is to install a shoe rack to keep things tidy — currently, shoes are left scattered at the entrance to the play area, which is a trip hazard for children running in and out. Something else to consider is removing the rock that is placed near the entrance to the play area by the small bridge. You would expect the rock to be soft and... well, pretend - however, it turns out it's a hard rock. A fall on that is just an accident waiting to happen.
As well as this, the flooring itself lacks sufficient cushioning, which raises safety concerns. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable letting my child climb the mini rock wall or netting without adult assistance, as a slip could result in a hard landing. The bottom of both slides could definitely use some soft padding too. A cushioned landing would help minimize the risk of injury - we saw two children come down the slides so fast they bounced off the floor (not great for their backs!).
Since visiting, I've also heard some reviews from friends that the timed sessions only apply to the play area so people can come and go all day to grab a bite to eat from the café and stay as long as they like at tables in the play barn. This meant that there was not enough seating available, so families who had booked to use the play area had to sit on the floor. This is very disappointing, and I can imagine it would be a big problem on rainy days when people try and find a bit of shelter.
Additionally, given that admission prices have increased in recent years—as is the case with many attractions—and considering the limited variety of animals at the farm, I believe the indoor adventure play area should be included in the entry price. For large families, the additional costs can quickly add up, making it a costly outing.
Other Family-Friendly Activities
Beyond the play barn, you can walk the farm trail to see a small collection of animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, cows and chickens. For £1.50, you can purchase animal feed to give the goats and sheep, which is always a hit with the little ones.
In addition to the animals, there’s a small hay bale maze, a pedal tractor area, and a climbing frame suitable for older children (ages 5-14). It's important to note that this outdoor climbing frame is before the entrance to the farm by the farm shop.
For an additional £2 per person, you can hop on a tractor and trailer ride (weather and season dependent). The ride gives a nice overview of the farmland. However, recent reviews have suggested that the tractor ride is just around a field full of weeds with no animals to be seen.
Forge Mill Farm also offers a few interactive activities, including chick handling and goat milking. These small touches really enhance the visit, making it educational as well as fun.
Seasonal Farm Events
The farm hosts various seasonal events throughout the year. In the spring, there’s lambing and Easter-themed activities. Summer brings sunflower fields and outdoor fun, while autumn is all about pumpkins and machinery events. These events add extra excitement to each visit and are perfect for families looking for something a little different each season.
Would I recommend a visit to Forge Mill Farm Play Barn?
If you live locally, I would recommend a visit to Forge Mill Farm during one of their special events. You could even pair it with a visit to Sandwell Valley Country Park and a walk around the nearby swan pool which has glorious views of the surrounding country park.
However, I wouldn’t suggest travelling more than 20-30 minutes to visit, especially given the limited variety of animals (although some are rare breed farm animals) and the fact it's not really a full day out. Families with multiple children may also find the visit a bit pricey, considering the rising admission fees and additional cost of the farm activity barn.
Questions & Answers
What is there to do at Forge Mill Farm?
You can see a small variety of farm animals, explore the natural play barn, ride the tractor, climb on the hay bales, and enjoy seasonal events.
Can you just turn up?
Yes, you can turn up and pay on the day, though booking online is recommended during peak times. You can also pre-book your Play Barn slot by following the link on their website.
How much does it cost to visit?
Admission is £5.50 per adult, £6.50 per child, under 2s go free. Family ticket (two adults and up to three children) £27. The play barn is an additional £3 per child, and parking is 40p per hour. Animal food is £1.50 per bag.
How do you get to Forge Mill Farm?
The farm is located on Forge Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 3SZ. Parking is available but the car park gets full very quickly. Avoid parking on the grass verges as you're likely to get a parking ticket.
Are there any parking charges?
Yes, there is a small parking fee at Forge Mill Farm. It costs 40p per hour.
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