Tapnell Farm Park looks to the future as much-loved wallabies prepare for their next adventure
Tapnell Farm is taking an exciting step forward in the evolution of its Farm Park, with plans to further embrace its roots as a real working British farm and create even more interactive and educational experiences for families.
As part of this new direction, the Isle of Wight attraction will be saying a fond farewell this September to some much-loved members of its animal family, including the wallabies that have called Tapnell home for the past decade. The wallabies originally arrived at Tapnell in 2016, when they were rehomed following the closure of Seaview Wildlife Encounter. Since then, they have become firm favourites with visitors and the Tapnell team alike, with thousands of families having the opportunity to meet them over the years.
On 16 September, the wallabies will begin their next adventure, with the group moving to new homes at Longleat and New Forest Wildlife Park.
Visitors will have the opportunity to say goodbye before they leave, with the popular wallaby feeds continuing daily until Tuesday 15th September.
Tom Turney, Partner at Tapnell Farm, said:
“The wallabies have been such a special part of Tapnell Farm Park over the last ten years, and we’reincredibly grateful for everything they’ve brought to the Farm Park during their time with us. They’ve given us and our visitors so many wonderful memories, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to them as they prepare to leave Tapnell. While we’ll be very sad to see them go, we’re also really happy that they’re moving on to fantastic new homes at Longleat and New Forest Wildlife Park, where we know they’ll be very well cared for. It feels like a fitting next chapter for them, at the same time as we begin an exciting new chapter of our own here at Tapnell.”
The move comes as Tapnell Farm begins to shape the future of its Farm Park around what sits at the heart of Tapnell itself – a family-owned working British farm with a real farming heritage. From 2027, the Farm Park will increasingly champion British farming and the countryside, with a greater focus on farm animals, more interactive experiences and helping families discover more about farming, nature and where our food comes from.As part of this evolution, the current Bugs & Beasties area will also begin a transformation this autumn. The animals currently housed there will be leaving Tapnell at the end of September, with their next homes carefully considered by the Farm Park’s experienced keeper team.
They too have played an important part in the Farm Park over the years, introducing visitors to a wonderfully varied collection of creatures, and the Tapnell team would like to thank them for their time here as they prepare for their next homes. The area will then be developed into a new educational and interactive experience, connecting more closely with the wildlife, nature and ecology found on and around a working British farm. Further details are being kept under wraps for now, with plenty more to be revealed as plans for the Farm Park’s next chapter take shape.
Tom Honeyman-Brown, Partner at Tapnell Farm, said:
“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the future of the Farm Park and what makes Tapnell genuinely special. At the heart of it all is the farm itself – the land, the animals, the countryside around us and the story of British farming. That’s what we want to champion much more strongly as we look to the future. We want to create a Farm Park that is even more interactive, engaging and educational, while still being somewhere families can come and have a brilliant day out together. There’s lots happening behind the scenes and plenty we’re excited to share over the coming months.This September marks the beginning of that next chapter.”
The changes will begin to take shape throughout the autumn and winter, with more details about the future of Tapnell Farm Park to be revealed over the coming months. For now, there is still time to visit the wallabies and say goodbye before they begin their next adventure, with their final day at Tapnell Farm Park on Tuesday 15th September.
