The Keeper for the Day Experience at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park is designed for older animal lovers who want to discover what caring for wildlife really involves. Rather than farm animals, this two-hour session introduces participants aged 12+ to wildlife species such as reindeer, fox or lynx.
It also makes an unusual experience gift for someone who would rather spend a morning working alongside animal keepers than unwrap another conventional present – whether for Christmas, a birthday or simply something different to do together.
Keeper for the Day Experience: What Is It?
This is a hands-on wildlife session, not an opportunity to watch animals from outside their enclosures.
Participants spend two hours with the Hogshaw team, taking part in activities that can include health checking, preparing enrichment, feeding, cleaning and learning about animal training techniques. The exact activities and species involved change depending on the season and the needs of the animals.
Sessions begin at 9:30am, before Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park opens to the wider public. The wildlife focus sets this experience apart from Hogshaw’s keeper sessions for younger visitors – rather than general farm animal care, this session introduces participants to the work involved in looking after species such as foxes, lynx and reindeer. Full details are on the Keeper Experience page.
Keeper for the Day: What Makes This a Wildlife Experience
Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park offers several different animal experiences, but this one has a clear wildlife focus.
Depending on the session, participants may work around reindeer, fox or lynx. Species can vary seasonally or for animal welfare reasons, so every booking should be approached with some flexibility.
That is part of what makes a genuine keeper experience interesting. Animal routines do not always follow a fixed timetable – keepers need to respond to the animals in front of them, adjusting enrichment, feeding and other activities according to their needs on that particular day.
Preparing enrichment is about much more than giving an animal something to play with. Health checks, cleaning routines and training techniques are also important parts of professional animal care. For visitors particularly interested in individual wildlife species, Hogshaw also offers dedicated Lynx Experiences and Fox Experiences.
Who Is the Keeper Experience For?
The Keeper Experience is suitable for anyone aged 12 or over, which makes it one of Hogshaw’s most flexible options for older participants.
For teenagers fascinated by animals, wildlife or conservation, it offers the chance to move beyond a normal day out and take part in the practical work involved in caring for animals. Adults can enjoy the same experience – you do not need to be considering a career with animals or have any previous keeper knowledge.
Sessions are limited to up to four people. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a supervising adult who does not take part in the experience but will need to purchase farm admission separately. Families with younger animal enthusiasts can explore the Mini Farm Keeper Experience for children aged 5-7.
Keeper for the Day Experience as a Gift Idea
Finding a present for someone who genuinely loves animals can be difficult, particularly if they already have plenty of animal-themed books and gifts.
A keeper for the day experience gives them something different – time spent learning, taking part and creating memories around the animals they are interested in. It works well as a Christmas or birthday gift for a teenager becoming more serious about wildlife, or for an adult who has always wanted to see what happens behind the scenes at an animal attraction.
Gift vouchers are available, so you can give the experience without needing to fix the visit date in advance. And because the experience is suitable from age 12 upwards, it fills a useful gap for someone who has outgrown children’s animal activities but still wants a practical, hands-on encounter.
What Happens After the Keeper Experience?
The session runs from 9:30am until 11:30am. At the end of the session, participants receive a £5 Farm Kitchen voucher to spend on the day.
General farm admission is not included in the Keeper Experience price and needs to be purchased separately. If you would like to continue exploring Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park after the session, check the Times & Prices page before booking, and see the Explore the Farm page for everything included in a general visit.
Keeper for the Day Experience: How to Book
The Keeper Experience costs £69.95 per person and runs from 9:30am to 11:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, with additional Thursday and Friday sessions during school holidays.
As sessions are limited to four participants, it is worth checking availability in advance if you are planning the experience for a particular birthday, weekend or school holiday.
Some parts of the experience involve longer walks over uneven or elevated paths. A mobility scooter is available to hire – contact info@hogshawfarm.co.uk ahead of your visit for accessibility queries.
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