Tapnell Farm Park is changing direction, with the popular Isle of Wight attraction set to place a much greater emphasis on British farming, farm animals and the countryside from 2027.
The family attraction has revealed that it is beginning a new chapter which will see the Farm Park increasingly embrace Tapnell’s roots as a family-owned working British farm.
Under the plans, there will be a greater focus on farm animals alongside more interactive experiences designed to help families learn about farming, nature and where food comes from.
The change in direction will also mean the departure of some familiar animals which have formed part of the attraction for a number of years.
Tapnell’s wallabies, which have lived at the Farm Park for the past decade, will leave the Isle of Wight on 16th September for new homes at Longleat and New Forest Wildlife Park. The animals arrived at Tapnell in 2016 after being rehomed following the closure of Seaview Wildlife Encounter and have since become firm favourites with visitors.
Wallaby feeds will continue daily until Tuesday 15th September, giving visitors a final opportunity to see them before they leave.
Tom Turney, Partner at Tapnell Farm, has said:
“The wallabies have been such a special part of Tapnell Farm Park over the last ten years, and we’re incredibly 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 changes extend beyond the wallabies, with the existing Bugs & Beasties area set to begin a transformation this Autumn. Animals currently housed within the area will leave Tapnell at the end of September, with their next homes being considered by the Farm Park’s keeper team.
In its place, Tapnell plans to develop a new educational and interactive experience with closer links to the wildlife, nature and ecology found on and around a working British farm.
Exactly what that new attraction will involve has not yet been revealed, with Tapnell saying further details are being kept under wraps.
Tom Honeyman-Brown, Partner at Tapnell Farm, has 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.”
Further details about the future of Tapnell Farm Park are expected to be revealed over the coming months.
