Mattingley Farm Animals
Bring your own!
We are happy to discuss guests' pet requirements. Dogs are welcome and we are able to accomodate horses and trailers
What farm holiday would be complete without the animals? Mattingley is locally famous for being a pig farm, and although not a working farm anymore, we keep an ever increasing array of animals as pets. Guests are encouraged to interact with the animals as much as possible, helping out at feeding time or bed time.
Meet some of the Animals
There are currently two horses at Mattingley, a four year old Dartmoor Hill pony called Meg and our super cob called Jay. The older horse is excellent for riding and very friendly for petting. Guests are encouraged to help out with grooming and, if they want, can ride in the safety of the paddock, subject to availability and the usual disclaimers. We cannot yet offer formal equine pursuits but this is one area we hope to develop, so watch this space.
No self-respecting farm would be complete without an array of birds and Mattingley is no exception. Roaming free, our flock contains dozens of chickens, Muscovy and call ducks, and guarding them all is Bruce the goose. Occupying the orchard, the birds usually provide an egg or two and guests always enjoy feeding time when they are encouraged to help out.
One of the jobs for the winter will be to create a safe area outside for the two rabbits and guinea pigs we have acquired. These animals are popular with our younger guests and again we encourage interaction as much as possible.
Our farm cats are Meg and her daughter, Pixie. They live outside in our barn and are more than capable of keeping the mouse population under control. Both of the cats are very friendly and likely to sneak indoors for a quiet kip if you aren't careful!
Guarding over us all at Mattingley is the reassuringly ferocious Pippin the Jack Russell. Bouncier than a kangaroo, Pip just loves to be tickled. We also have a Lurcher called Brenin which is Welsh for King. Our dogs are never allowed to run free as the chickens have priority so guests' dogs are likewise strictly kept on a lead
We have lots of pet animals, but also many different visitors to Mattingley. These include foxes, badgers, barn owls and other birds of prey, bats, pheasants and moor hens. We try to maintain some of the land in a natural state to encourage these animals so guests can also enjoy them.
