Photo of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre in Greater London
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Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre

📍 Brentwood, Greater London

4.7(1,097 Google reviews)👶All ages

Peaceful farm sanctuary housing over 600 rescued animals including horses, alpacas, and pigs. Ethical animal interactions, children's play area, and plant-based Max's Cafe with indoor and marquee seating.

Rescue animalsPlant-based cafeAccessible siteSeasonal eventsFriendly animalsFree parking
★★★★★Featured review by Ms Chhetri

We visited Hopefield Sanctuary yesterday with the kids, and it was such a lovely day out. A lot has changed since I last came two years ago — all for the better! It was heartwarming to see how well the animals are cared for. The rescued horses, in particular, were so friendly and confident around people, which says so much about the love and attention they receive. The children had a fantastic time meeting all the animals and exploring the sanctuary. It’s such a peaceful, welcoming place, and you can tell how much the team truly cares about their work. Highly recommend for families or anyone who wants to support a great cause while spending time with some beautiful animals.❤️

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families who want a calm, meaningful animal experience rather than a high-stimulation attraction. The rescued animals are notably confident and approachable — reviewers report horses walking up and seeking contact. The vegan cafe removes dietary planning stress.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Free parking and accessible paths throughout make arrival and navigation straightforward
The plant-based cafe handles a wide range of dietary requirements without needing alternatives
🎟️Animals are handled and socialised so they actively approach visitors rather than avoiding them
🚗Seasonal events including Halloween and Easter add different experiences across the year

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.7

1,097 Google reviews

Well-cared-for animals40%
Peaceful and welcoming30%
Great accessibility20%
Quality vegan cafe10%
M

Ms Chhetri

6 months ago

We visited Hopefield Sanctuary yesterday with the kids, and it was such a lovely day out. A lot has changed since I last came two years ago — all for the better! It was heartwarming to see how well the animals are cared for. The rescued horses, in particular, were so friendly and confident around people, which says so much about the love and attention they receive. The children had a fantastic time meeting all the animals and exploring the sanctuary. It’s such a peaceful, welcoming place, and you can tell how much the team truly cares about their work. Highly recommend for families or anyone who wants to support a great cause while spending time with some beautiful animals.❤️

D

Dimi

5 months ago

We love Hopefield! This is the third year in a row we visit and it has become our favourite tradition. This year they went above and beyond for Halloween! Guys, you've outdone yourselves, the Spooky Barn was amazing!!!! The staff is always friendly and approachable too. My favourite thing is seeing all our favourite animals🥹 my favourite is Millie, the blind sheep, made me cry, wish I could sponsor her😭 thank you Hopefield for giving these animals a chance to live a happy life 🥹 Also love Maxs cafe, so refreshing to not have to worry and triple check that the food you're ordering is vegan! We will be back next year🥰

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Yusuf Besen

8 months ago

Highly recommended and definitely worth a visit. Accessibility is great for car parking and for the animals. Plenty of areas to sit and have something to eat too. Animals are great and engaging ! Can't believe a horse came up to me for the first time ever and allowed me to touch it ! Well maintained grounds and plenty of hand washing areas. I'd definitely return !

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Olivia Collins

4 months ago

Can’t recommend a visit to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary more! We absolutely loved it, so many lovely & happy animals, a really calming, peaceful, caring and genuine place to visit. The cafe was fab too, we really enjoyed our coffees, sandwiches and cakes there! We will definitely be back!

Reviews from Google

Overview

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary houses rescued animals across a farm setting in Brentwood, with over 600 animals including horses, cows, pigs, and smaller species. Hands-on animal experiences — including pig tickling and cow cuddling — are available. The on-site Max's Cafe serves plant-based food with indoor and marquee seating. A children's play area and accessible paths make it workable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Seasonal events include Easter activities and Halloween celebrations.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday10:00 – 16:00
Tuesday10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday10:00 – 16:00
Thursday10:00 – 16:00
Friday10:00 – 16:00
Saturday10:00 – 16:00
Sunday10:00 – 16:00

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