Half Term at Hockey’s Farm Shop: Family Days Out, Animals & Fresh Food in the New Forest
There is something about the late May Bank Holiday that always feels like the real beginning of the season at Hockey’s Farm Shop.
The evenings suddenly feel longer, children are finally off school, BBQs begin making their annual return and families start looking for ways to spend proper time together outdoors again. And with warmer weather forecast across Hampshire and the New Forest this week, it feels like half term has arrived at exactly the right moment.
At Hockey’s Farm Shop in South Gorley, this time of year is all about family days out, good food, countryside walks and making the most of the New Forest during half term week.
Whether you are local to the area or visiting Hampshire during the school holidays, Hockey’s is the sort of place where families can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon together. Breakfast turns into lunch, children head back to visit the animals “just one more time” and somehow everyone leaves carrying bags from the Farm Shop and plans for what to cook later.
That is exactly the atmosphere we love at Hockey’s.
The Kind of Family Day Out People Actually Want
There is no complicated formula to a good half term day out.
Most families are simply looking for somewhere everyone enjoys. Somewhere children can properly explore, adults can enjoy good coffee and food and nobody feels rushed from one activity to the next.
That is why half term at Hockey’s always feels so special.
Children head straight for the animals whilst parents settle into the cafe with coffee and breakfast. Families wander between the Farm Shop and The Vinery. Ice creams become part of the day, lunch often turns into coffee and cake and families naturally settle into spending longer together outdoors.
There is no rush to visiting Hockey’s and that is exactly the point.
The farm has become somewhere people naturally spend time rather than somewhere to simply tick off quickly before moving on elsewhere.
And in a world where so much family entertainment now feels loud, busy and expensive, there is something refreshingly simple about children laughing at goats, watching pigs snooze in the sunshine and spotting guinea pigs whilst adults enjoy breakfast or browse the shop nearby.
Meet the Animals at Hockey’s Farm Shop
There is no complicated formula to a good half term day out.
Most families are simply looking for somewhere everyone enjoys. Somewhere children can properly explore, adults can enjoy good coffee and food and nobody feels rushed from one activity to the next.
That is why half term at Hockey’s always feels so special.
Children head straight for the animals whilst parents settle into the cafe with coffee and breakfast. Families wander between the Farm Shop and The Vinery. Ice creams become part of the day, lunch often turns into coffee and cake and families naturally settle into spending longer together outdoors.
There is no rush to visiting Hockey’s and that is exactly the point.
The farm has become somewhere people naturally spend time rather than somewhere to simply tick off quickly before moving on elsewhere.
And in a world where so much family entertainment now feels loud, busy and expensive, there is something refreshingly simple about children laughing at goats, watching pigs snooze in the sunshine and spotting guinea pigs whilst adults enjoy breakfast or browse the shop nearby.
For younger visitors especially, the animals are always the highlight of any visit.
The pygmy goats are full of personality and usually in the middle of some sort of mischief, the pigs are never short of admirers and the donkeys always attract plenty of attention from visitors exploring the farm.
Add in the guinea pigs, aviary birds and the rest of the animals around Hockey’s and it is easy to see why children often want to circle back around “just one more time” before heading home.
There is something wonderfully grounding about children spending time around animals. It slows everything down slightly and encourages everyone to spend more time outdoors together.
For many families visiting the New Forest during half term, that slower countryside pace is exactly what they are looking for.
Breakfast, Lunch & Everything In Between
Of course, no visit to Hockey’s Farm Shop would feel complete without food being involved somewhere along the way.
The Farmyard cafe always feels particularly lively during school holidays and Bank Holiday weekends, with families, walkers, cyclists and locals all mixed together enjoying breakfasts, lunches, coffee and homemade cakes throughout the day.
Breakfast remains one of the busiest times at Hockey’s, especially with our Hungry Breakfast offer before 10am, whilst warmer weather naturally means more people lingering outdoors over lunch, cake and ice cream.
One of the nicest things about visiting Hockey’s is that there is no “right” way to do it.
Some visitors arrive early for breakfast before heading out to explore the New Forest. Others stop by after forest walks for lunch and coffee. Plenty come purely for the Farm Shop and end up staying far longer than planned once children spot the animals or someone suggests cake.
Fresh food is served daily and there is something incredibly comforting about simple food done well after a morning outdoors.
More Than Just a Farm Shop
Over time, Hockey’s has become far more than somewhere people stop to buy groceries.
For many visitors, it is now part of their wider New Forest routine. A place to meet friends for breakfast, pick up local food for the weekend, browse gifts in The Vinery or spend time together during the school holidays.
That mixture of good food, countryside surroundings and genuinely welcoming atmosphere is what makes Hockey’s feel different.
People can browse local produce in the Farm Shop, pick up meat from the butchery counter, enjoy coffee in the cafe and spend time around the animals all in one visit.
And during half term especially, that ease matters. Families are not looking for stressful days out involving endless queues and complicated plans. They are looking for somewhere enjoyable, welcoming and easy.
That is exactly what Hockey’s aims to be.
BBQ Season Has Arrived
With sunshine forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend, the butchery team are also preparing for one of the busiest BBQ weekends of the season so far.
Tom and Graham’s BBQ packs are ideal for easy family lunches, relaxed evenings in the garden or feeding friends and family over half term.
Each BBQ pack includes:
Four 6oz 100% beef burgers
Eight pork sausages
Plus your choice of:
Marinated chicken skewers
Pork ribs
Chicken portions
It is exactly the sort of straightforward, properly prepared food people want at this time of year.
Alongside the BBQ packs, the butchery counter is full of steaks, sausages and marinated meats, all freshly prepared by the team here at Hockey’s Farm Shop.
For many visitors, part of the pleasure of coming to Hockey’s is knowing that breakfast, lunch and dinner can all be sorted in one trip.
Browse The Vinery Whilst You Visit
The Vinery has also become an increasingly popular part of visiting Hockey’s Farm Shop and is well worth exploring whilst you are here.
Filled with candles, gifts, homewares, cards and beautiful pieces from local makers, it adds another lovely layer to the experience of visiting the farm.
People often wander in quickly and end up spending far longer browsing than they expected.
Whether you are searching for a thoughtful gift, something seasonal for the home or simply enjoying a wander around during half term, The Vinery is full of carefully chosen pieces that reflect the New Forest and surrounding Hampshire countryside beautifully.
Make Hockey’s Part of Your Half Term Plans
Whether you are planning a full family day out in the New Forest or simply looking for somewhere to stop during half term adventures, Hockey’s Farm Shop is the perfect place to pause for a few hours.
Start the morning with breakfast in the Farmyard cafe before heading out on the Hockey’s Loop Walk through the surrounding countryside. Return for lunch, coffee or ice creams whilst children visit the animals again and browse the Farm Shop and The Vinery before heading home with something delicious for dinner.
It is the sort of place where plans naturally grow. A quick coffee stop turns into lunch, children ask to see the goats one more time and suddenly the whole family has spent the afternoon together without anyone checking the time.
And with warmer weather forecast across Hampshire and the New Forest this Bank Holiday week, it feels like the perfect excuse to get outdoors and properly enjoy the start of the season.
Alongside half term on the farm, there are also now only a handful of spaces remaining for our Breakfast & Guided Walk on Thursday 29th May with Jack Jennings from Wessex Bloodhounds.
Guests will enjoy breakfast in the Farmyard cafe before heading out on a guided walk through the beautiful New Forest countryside.
Booking is essential and full details can be found on the Hockey’s Events Page.
Whether you join us for breakfast, the animals, the Hockey’s Loop Walk, lunch, ice creams or simply to enjoy a few hours in the countryside, we look forward to welcoming you to Hockey’s Farm Shop this half term.
