Doncaster Farm Visitor Attraction invests in new facilities

A farm visitor attraction has invested in a new handling area, new play equipment and a new outdoor space thanks to a successful bid for the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

Boston Park Farm at Hatfield Woodhouse is a family business run by the Chappell family and includes the Tearooms, Maize Maze, animal handling opportunities, outdoor and indoor play areas, and horse liveries as well as a 600-acre arable farm. The visitor attraction has grown and developed since starting in 2000, and now has around 70,000 visitors per year.

The recent grant has provided an additional animal handling area, new audio and play area equipment and a new outdoor area for groups. The new asset will allow them to expand their programme of fun and educational animal experiences and events as well as accommodate an increase in footfall from individuals and groups such as school visits and parties that they can host. This will in turn undoubtedly help to increase turnover.

Lucy Westwood, Partner at Boston Park farm said: "The response we've had from the public and local community has been amazing and we've already grown every aspect of the business in response to the demand. This year we have been able to host private family lamb feeding sessions, which have proved very popular. Our new outdoor space gives us loads of potential to do much more and we are excited to grow the business further."

The investment has been backed by a Rural Business Grant provided by Doncaster Council through Business Doncaster. This project is part-funded by the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) via its integrated Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

Chris Dungworth, Head of Service for Business Doncaster said: "Boston Park Farm is a great example of a rural family business diversifying to create new income streams and boost the local economy. The Rural Business Grant has enabled them to invest in growth in a way they just couldn't have afforded alone. We look forward to seeing the business use its new asset to help achieve its targets for expansion and job creation."

Business Doncaster are also supporting the business with a number of other potential funding streams in order to grow the business and meet visitor demand.

For further information please visit: https://www.bostonpark.com/

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is a capital grant programme integrated into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) aimed at specifically addressing some of the challenges faced by our local rural areas. This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus