Farm Attraction – Highland Cows, Animal Feeding, Wholesome fun!

The best part of this working family farm is the chance to meet Highland cows in a real farm setting, not behind glass or at the edge of a crowded petting zoo. You can feed goats, see sheep, pigs, and poultry, then walk toward an old Roman fort for wide views over the countryside.

I like the relaxed, hands-on mix of animal feeding and den building, which gives children something to do between animal encounters. I also like the personal feel of the farm team, with Fenwick sharing stories about caring for the cows and Beth helping guide visitors. The main drawback is that this is outdoors, so mud and poor weather are part of the deal, and the experience can be affected by weather or seasonal farm conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Highland cows in their own paddocks: Meet cows and calves at close range, with some formats including a tractor ride to the herd.
• More than a cow visit: Feed goats, see pigs, sheep, and poultry, and watch the animals behave in their usual farm setting.
• A Roman fort walk: Follow the farm route uphill for views across the Jedburgh area and a den-building area for children.
• Good family value: At about $16.67 per person, the visit can fill one to three hours without the cost of a full-day attraction.
• Simple, flexible format: The farm visit is mainly self-led, with staff available to explain the animals and answer questions.
• Plan around the weather: Outdoor paths, fields, and animal paddocks are central to the experience, and poor weather can lead to a new date or refund.

Meeting Highland cows near Jedburgh

Jacksons At Jedburgh sits at Kersheugh, just outside Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. You begin and end at the farm, so there is no separate town meeting point or complicated transfer to arrange.

The farm’s public-facing paddocks contain Highland cows, sheep, goats, poultry, and pigs. That variety matters. If you come mainly for the cows, you still have plenty to see while the children are feeding goats or watching the pigs. The visit feels more like a short farm outing than a single photo stop.

The Highland cattle are the stars. Their long coats and broad horns make them easy to spot, but the best part is seeing them behave like farm animals rather than display animals. You may find them wandering, feeding, or simply ignoring everyone in favor of food. That is part of the charm. A Highland cow does not perform on command.

Close contact with calves is possible in some parts of the experience. The farm’s young animals add a softer, more appealing side to the visit, especially for children who may be nervous around the larger cattle. Still, you should follow staff instructions and treat every animal as a working farm animal, not a pet.

The setting also gives the farm visit a useful sense of place. You are not simply looking at animals in a fenced attraction. You are seeing a family farm that continues to operate while inviting the public in. That makes the visit more educational than a quick animal encounter.

A self-led route with plenty to notice

The main visit lasts about two hours, though the overall activity is described as taking roughly one to three hours. That range is useful because families move at different speeds. You might finish the animal route quickly, or spend extra time feeding, taking photographs, walking uphill, and letting children play.

The route is self-led, so you are not tied to a nonstop lecture or a strict group timetable. You can pause at each paddock and let the animals set the pace. Staff members are available to explain farm life, and the informal conversations are one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Fenwick, the farmer mentioned in the farm experience, brings a personal view of Highland cattle and daily farm work. You can expect practical talk about looking after the animals rather than a polished script. Beth has also guided the visit and is described as attentive to the group, which is helpful for families who need clear directions or have questions along the way.

This flexible style works well for mixed-age groups. A young child can spend time with the goats, older children can work on a den, and adults can enjoy the views or ask about farming. The tradeoff is that the visit may feel less structured than a formal guided tour. If you want a tightly timed presentation with a set sequence, this is not that sort of outing.

Feeding goats, meeting pigs, and watching farm character

The smaller animals give the visit much of its humor. Goats are lively, noisy, and eager for food. One particularly persistent pygmy goat has been known to follow people around the field, which gives you a good idea of the animal’s personality and the sort of encounter you might have.

Sheep are also part of the public paddocks, along with pigs and poultry. Each group behaves differently, and that makes the route worth taking slowly. You may see the goats push forward, the sheep hang back, or the pigs investigate their surroundings. The farm’s appeal comes from these ordinary, unscripted moments.

Animal feeding adds a hands-on element, but it is still best to keep your expectations sensible. The experience is not designed as a long session where every animal lines up for attention. Farm animals have their own routines, and the amount of interaction can depend on the day, the season, and the animals’ mood.

That is also why the visit can work for adults. You do not need to be traveling with small children to enjoy it. The farm offers a chance to see healthy animals in a working setting, and the conversations about farm life give the stop more substance than a simple petting area.

The tractor ride and close-up cow encounters

Some versions of the Highland cow experience include a tractor ride to a field where roughly 20 to 30 cows may be gathered. The ride itself adds a bit of farm atmosphere, especially for children, and it saves you from treating the cow encounter as a long walk from the main facilities.

At the cow field, you may see cows and calves moving freely in their own surroundings. The experience is most appealing when you accept that the animals are not staged. A cow may come close for food or remain at a distance. You can take photographs and, when staff allow it, touch the calves.

The tractor element appears in accounts of the one-hour Highland cow format, while the general farm admission centers on the self-led paddocks. If the cow encounter is your main reason for booking, check the exact format and inclusions for your selected date. The available information describes both the wider farm attraction and a more focused cow experience.

This distinction matters for planning. The general visit gives you a broad farm outing with several animal species, a fort walk, and den building. The focused format puts more attention on the Highland herd. Families may prefer the broader option, while a serious Highland cow enthusiast may want the dedicated encounter.

Walking to the old Roman fort

A path leads uphill from the farm toward the location of an old Roman fort. The fort itself is not presented as a restored monument with extensive displays. Instead, the walk gives you a historic point of interest and a reason to explore beyond the animal paddocks.

The reward is the view across the surrounding area. After spending time close to cows and goats, the higher position changes the rhythm of the visit. You get open air, a wider outlook, and a sense of how the farm fits into the wider Jedburgh area.

The walk also leads to den-building equipment for children. This is a clever part of the visit because it turns spare time into outdoor play. Kids can build and experiment while adults take in the views or enjoy a pause.

You should allow for an uphill walk and outdoor conditions. The information does not give a detailed accessibility description for the route, so anyone concerned about uneven ground or slopes should ask the farm before booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the farm setting is not the same as a fully paved attraction.

A good value stop at $16.67

At about $16.67 per person, this is fairly priced if you use the full visit. You are not paying only for a quick photograph with a cow. The admission can include access to several animal paddocks, feeding opportunities, a walk to the Roman fort site, den-building equipment, and seasonal refreshments.

The value is strongest for families and small groups who can stay for one to three hours. A two-hour visit gives you time to see the animals without rushing, then add the uphill walk and play area. The open format also means you can spend more time on the parts your group enjoys instead of paying for activities you do not want.

It is less compelling if you expect a large attraction with rides, indoor exhibits, or a full-day program. This is a modest farm visit. Its value comes from direct contact with animals, a friendly local setting, and the chance to slow down.

Picnic space adds to the value. You can bring food and make the farm part of a longer day around Jedburgh rather than treating it as a short detour. Seasonal refreshments are also included as a feature, though the available information does not specify exactly what is served or when each seasonal item is available.

Opening dates and the best time to go

The farm is open from April 22 through October 6, 2026, with seasonal hours:

• April 22 to June 29: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 30 to August 16: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 17 to October 6: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer offers the widest choice of opening days, which helps if you are fitting the farm around a Scotland road trip. In spring and early autumn, you need to plan more carefully because the farm is generally open only Friday through Sunday.

The season can also affect what you see. Lambing time brings extra young animals but may also make the farm less suitable for pregnant women. The activity specifically advises against participation during lambing, so check the timing if that applies to you.

Weather deserves attention. Much of the appeal is outside, and rain can make fields and paths muddy. The farm may cancel for poor weather, in which case you can receive a different date or a full refund. I would choose practical shoes and clothing you do not mind getting dirty, even on a dry forecast.

Who will enjoy this farm visit most

This is a strong choice for families with children because it combines animals, movement, views, and hands-on play. The age range can be broad. A group that includes an 11-month-old child, older children, and adults can all find something to do, though very young children will need close supervision around animals and uneven ground.

It also suits adults who love Highland cattle or want a quiet rural stop near Jedburgh. The farm gives you time to take photographs, watch the herd, and ask about daily care. You do not need to be an expert in farming to appreciate the visit.

It may be less suitable if you want an indoor activity, a highly polished attraction, or guaranteed sunshine. It is also not the right pick during lambing if you are pregnant, based on the stated safety advice.

The maximum group size is 80 people. That is large enough for a busy day but not a huge attraction crowd. Since the visit is self-led, the number of people may affect how long you wait near popular animals or how quiet the paddocks feel.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Book ahead if your Scotland itinerary is fixed. The activity is often reserved well in advance, with an average booking lead time of about 74 days. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it suggests that summer and school-holiday times deserve early planning.

Allow two hours if you want to see the farm properly. You can spend less time if you are making a quick stop, but the animal route, fort walk, den building, and picnic area give you reasons to stay longer.

Wear shoes suited to fields and bring layers. The farm requires outdoor walking, and dry weather does not remove the chance of mud around animal paddocks. A phone or camera is worthwhile, especially for the Highland cows and the view from the higher ground.

The ticket is mobile, confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity ends back at the farm meeting point. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when the farm cancels for poor weather or fails to reach its minimum number of participants.

Should you book Jacksons At Jedburgh?

Book it if you want a friendly, low-key farm experience with real animals, direct contact with Highland cows, and enough extra activity to keep a family busy. The combination of goats, pigs, sheep, poultry, calves, den building, and the Roman fort walk gives the visit more range than its modest price suggests.

I would especially choose it as a break from driving through the Scottish Borders. You get fresh air, local farm life, and a chance to slow down. Just arrive ready for mud, changing weather, and animals that follow their own schedule. If that sounds like part of the fun, this is a very good-value stop near Jedburgh.

FAQ

Where is the farm located?

The farm is at Jacksons At Jedburgh, Kersheugh, Jedburgh TD8 6QT, UK. The activity begins and ends at the farm.

How long does the visit take?

The visit usually takes about two hours, though the stated duration is approximately one to three hours depending on how much time you spend with the animals, walking, and building dens.

What animals can I see?

The public-facing paddocks currently include Highland cows, sheep, goats, poultry, and pigs. Some formats also include close contact with calves and lambs.

Is the experience suitable for children?

Yes. It is designed as a family activity for all ages and includes animal feeding, den-building equipment, a play area, and space for a picnic.

When is the farm open in 2026?

From April 22 to June 29, it is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From June 30 to August 16, it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From August 17 to October 6, it is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather causes the farm to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.