Butser Ancient Farm to reopen as new goat kids are born!

Butser Ancient Farm is delighted to confirm it will be reopening to once again welcome visitors, for selected days and times, from Saturday 4th July 2020.

 

The dog-friendly, open air site, in the heart of the South Downs, invites visitors to explore 5,000 years of human history and home life in the local area, from the Stone Age to the Saxons. It will initially be opening for pre-booked visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Thursdays, with more dates to follow soon.

 

Excitingly, they have also just welcomed the birth of their first English goat kid of 2020. Mother goat Sorrel has given birth to a healthy male kid named Ash, and goat Bella is due to give birth imminently. English goats are a very rare breed. Their numbers are small, averaging an estimate of 100 registered breeding goats across the UK, with no evidence of the breed existing in other parts of the world. The birth of the Butser kids is a great boost to the critically endangered breed and, from July 4th, visitors will be able to join in giving them a warm welcome to the farm.

 

Describing the re-opening plans, Director Maureen Page said ‘We have been working hard to ensure that visitors, volunteers and staff can once again safely return and explore the beauty and history displayed at Butser Ancient Farm. This has involved introducing a pre-booked ticketing system to limit numbers on site, increasing cleaning procedures and hand washing facilities and introducing a one way system in certain areas of the farm. We are so lucky that the site is outside in a beautiful part of the South Downs National Park, and we are really looking forward to being able to share this unique place with visitors again.’

 

Butser Ancient Farm is a world renowned experimental archaeology centre, founded almost 50 years ago. It features ongoing reconstructions of homes dating from the Stone Age, Iron Age, Roman and Saxon periods, as well as being home to friendly rare breed sheep and goats.

 

In normal times Butser Ancient Farm welcomes thousands of school children to the site each year to learn about ancient history through hands-on fun activities. It also usually hosts a range of ancient skills workshops and unique fundraising events from stargazing evenings to Celtic festivals and re-enactments.

 

Unfortunately, as none of the above activities are currently possible, the farm has lost all it’s income, but they are hopeful that, from July, returning visitors will help to sustain the site and ensure it can continue with its research and educational work into the future.

 

As part of their reopening plans, and to ensure social distancing restrictions can be maintained, entry to the Farm will be through timed, pre-booked tickets only. Visitors will need to prebook tickets by midnight the day before their visit. There will be a take-away service on snacks and hot and cold drinks, with card payments only. Visitors are also very welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the open air site. Additional safety signage has also been put in place as well as increased cleaning and sanitisation procedures.

 

 

Butser Ancient Farm will continue to monitor government guidance during this time in order to adapt their opening arrangements to follow any new requirements. Do keep an eye on their website and social media channels for any future updates and more details of the safety precautions being put in place.

 

The staff and volunteers at Butser Ancient Farm look forward to welcoming you.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.butserancientfarm.co.uk