Cogges Manor Farm
Witney
Family Friendly Experience
Cogges Manor Farm in Witney is a fabulous heritage centre. Encompassing 17 acres of beautiful grounds with historic farm buildings and the main manor house it has something for everybody. It is home to farmyard animals, and you can follow heritage trails around the estate and walled garden. During the filming of Downton Abbey the house and grounds became scenes and will look familiar to many visitors.
The 13th century manor house is a stunning country home made of local limestone. The house is full of history and shows what life was like over the last 1000 years. A 19th century gothic porch welcomes you in to panelled rooms with fireplaces. You will find Tudor history in the kitchen and signs of when Cogges Manor was a boys’ boarding school in the bedrooms.
Amongst the animals are friendly pygmy goats who love the attention from visitors, grazing sheep and Oxford Sandy and Black pigs. The town was traditionally a woollen trade town and in summer you can watch the sheep shearing and maybe the lambing if you are lucky. You will also find free-range chickens and ducks around the farmyard.
Within the grounds the walled garden is still in use to grow produce today. With vegetables, fruit including Espalier apples and quince, and herbs growing it is a lovely spot. It once supplied the manor with food and today it is used by the Cogges Kitchen. Their seasonal menu features salads and sandwiches featuring home grown vegetables when in season.
If the little ones still have some energy left, they can run, play and climb in the adventure play park. For a special occasion children’s birthday parties can be arranged with a private meet the animals session in the farmyard. Party bags and cake can also be provided.
Cogges also holds a wealth of events, festivals, and workshops throughout the year. These include Halloween events where the manor is transformed into a witch’s house and various exhibitions relating to the history of Cogges Manor Farm.
Please note: Dogs on a short lead are welcome in most areas but there will be poultry free and roaming around. Cogges Manor Farm is a unique heritage site and a rural destination however there is on-site Blue Badge parking, accessible toilets, and the café and gift shop are wheelchair accessible. The ground floor of the Manor House is wheelchair accessible. The first floor is not due to the historical stairs.
