FAQs

Please browse our FAQs below:

• What if we are late?

  • Please telephone us on 01233 861493 to let us know as soon as possible, as we may need to rearrange your activity times. 

• What time can we arrive?

  • Schools can arrive from 10.00am. There is a little bit of admin to be completed before your group can enter the farm, this usually provides an ideal toilet opportunity before school visits start exploring the farm.

• Where should we park?

  • The coach park is situated on the right-hand side of the driveway, just before our main car park.
  • Minibuses that are transporting children with additional needs can use our accessible parking bays outside the gift shop.

• What should we do on arrival?

  • While the children get their things together, the group leader will need to head up to the gift shop to complete the admin for the visit.
  • Please be ready to tell the Schools Coordinator how many children, infants (under 3s) and accompanying adults you have in your party (this is for payment/your invoice).
  • The Schools Coordinator will have a copy of your schedule for the day.
  • You will be allocated a section of the Benson Barn or our new undercover picnic area as your base for the day.
  • Once all the admin is done, you can all head into the farm to enjoy your day!

• How do we pay?

  You can pay:

  • in cash/cheque on the day (Cheques made payable to 'Canterbury Oast Trust')
  • by card on the day
  • we can invoice you after your visit

  You should have indicated on your booking form how you wish to pay.

• Where are the toilets?

  • Toilets are located opposite our Gift Shop/Admissions area, and at Sammy’s Play Park.

• Where should we leave our coats/bags/lunches?

  • We will allocate you a section of the Benson Barn or undercover picnic area. You can leave bags/coats/lunches here if you choose to. Please be aware that these areas are open to the public and are likely to be used by other visiting schools.
  • We recommend that you always keep money and other valuables with you.
  • Food should be well wrapped inside sealed lunch boxes/ bags.

• Where do we eat lunch?

  • You can use the picnic tables in the undercover area you have been allocated or any of the outside picnic tables.

• Can we re-fill our water bottles?

  • Yes – Water bottles can be re-filled using our water fountains- these are labelled on the maps. You can find them in Benson's Barn and at the Catering Cabin.

• What if someone gets lost?

  • If you have lost a child, please tell the nearest staff member and head to the Gift Shop.
  • If we discover a lost child, our staff will bring them to the Gift Shop where we can make a tannoy announcement for the school leader.

• Can we touch the animals?

  • Animals should only be touched at the supervised 'Meet the Animals' sessions.
  • Animals with a calm temperament are selected for contact during our supervised 'Meet the Animals' sessions. The animals are accustomed to being handled and are usually friendly, however all animals have the potential to bite or butt and should be treated with respect. It is best to hold your hand flat and approach the animal from below its chin rather than towards its eyes or forehead which it may interpret as a threat.
  • Outside the 'Meet the Animals' sessions, the animals should not be touched and people should not put fingers into cages, fences or wires.
  • It is important that everyone washes their hands following participation in the 'Meet the Animals' sessions.
  • All visitors should follow our Animal Contact Advice during and after their visit.

• Can we feed the animals?

  We ask that the public do not feed our animals, as they are on special diets. The wrong food could cause damage to their health.