A favourite New Forest animal attraction for all ages

The animals at Hockey’s Farm are truly at the heart of what we do. For many of our visitors, they are just as much a reason to visit as the Farm Shop, Cafe or Butchery. From excitable guinea pigs to cheeky donkeys and curious alpacas, our animals bring daily joy, character and connection to the New Forest for children and adults alike.

Whether you’re visiting with family, meeting friends for coffee, or simply enjoying a walk around the site, you’ll always find something happening in our animal areas. Watching their personalities unfold has become a much-loved part of the Hockey’s experience.

 

Pigs

Rescue Kune Kune Pigs – Mondy & Wolfie
Mondy and Wolfie adore belly rubs and human attention. When you talk to them, they wag their tails like puppies. They are affectionate, social and always keen to say hello.

Hockey’s Lop Pigs
We usually have a couple of litters each year. They are incredibly social animals,very noisy at food time and happiest when piled on top of each other to keep warm. Watching their behaviour is a wonderful way to see just how intelligent and community driven pigs are.

Alpacas

Ferguson, Wills & Walnut

All three of our alpacas are rescues, each with a very different personality.

  • Wills is deaf and incredibly gentle

  • Ferguson (Fergie) is mischievous, naughty and full of character

  • Walnut is our Peter Pan—he’s never quite grown up and still loves to head-butt things, a habit from his early days feeding as a youngster

They are curious, expressive and a constant source of fascination for visitors.

Guinnea Pigs

15 rescue residents

We currently care for 15 rescue guinea pigs, all with big personalities and even bigger voices, especially at breakfast time. They are:

  • Noisy and squeaky

  • Exceptionally cuddly

  • Very popular with younger visitors

They love laying in the sun and piling on top of each other for warmth and comfort. Many guests also enjoy spotting our guinea pig-themed gifts in The Vinery, including mini ceramic guinea pigs and cuddly toys inspired by our real residents.

 
 

Donkeys

Lily & Lulu

Lily and Lulu are mother and daughter donkeys who came to us from Ireland.

  • Lily is 20 years old

  • Lulu is 10 years old

They are noisy, cheeky and love attention. When they’re not greeting visitors, they can often be found chasing the alpacas or keeping an eye on what’s happening around the farm.

Pygmy Goats

Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie & Weenie

Our four pygmy goats are two years old and endlessly entertaining. They are famously dramatic when it comes to the weather and wildly enthusiastic about food, especially apples and carrots.

Their favourite activity? Playing football with a cabbage. They are full of energy, curiosity and mischief, and are always guaranteed to raise a smile.

Horses

Arthur, Ruby & Oakie

Our horses are full of character and charm.

  • Ruby (Rube) is a much-loved rescue pony. She isn’t ridden but enjoys regular gentle walks out onto the New Forest.

  • Arthur, aged 16, is our resident grumpy old man. He dislikes being rushed—unless it’s food time, of course.

  • Oakie is large, needy, not great with personal space, and absolutely loves company.

Together, they are a firm favourite with visitors who enjoy watching their interactions and routines.

 
 

Poultry & Free-Roaming Characters

Chickens, 1 goose, 4 turkeys & 2 cockerels

Most visitors quickly get to know our feathered residents, often because they’re standing in the way when you’re trying to park. They’re usually found wandering the site, taking stock of everything going on at Hockey’s and making sure they’re not missing out on any action.

Aviary Birds

Our aviary is home to a variety of birds, many of whom are rescued. Some are very friendly and confident, so much so that they’ll happily jump onto Freya when she enters the aviary to care for them.

A Special Part of the Hockey’s Experience

Our animals are more than just residents, they are part of our story and our community. Caring for rescue animals, encouraging curiosity and giving visitors a genuine connection to farm life in the New Forest is something we’re incredibly proud of.

Whether you’re popping in for lunch, visiting with children, or simply enjoying a peaceful wander, the animals at Hockey’s Farm are always there to welcome you.

If you’d like to know more about our animals, just ask a member of the team. We’re always happy to chat.