Run wild at the Big Bale Play!

Get ready for the ultimate outdoor adventure!

For one week only, we're transforming a huge grass field into Britain's biggest straw bale playground, packed with more than 250 giant bales to climb, jump, scramble and explore.

Children can tackle the giant bale maze, race through tunnels, play hide-and-seek, balance, tumble and weave their way from one side to the other.

It's simple, screen-free fun designed to get little ones outdoors, burning off energy and making unforgettable memories. Younger visitors have their own dedicated under-5s area with smaller bales, sand play and plenty of space for mini adventurers to explore safely.

There's plenty more to enjoy throughout the day, including giant garden games, barrel train rides (additional charge), delicious food and drink, barista coffee, ice cream and lots of space to relax while the children play.

Your Big Bale Play ticket includes:

🌾 All day access to Britain's biggest straw bale playground

👶 Dedicated under-5s bale play area

🏖️ Covered sandpit

🚗 Free parking

For an extra treat, hop aboard our popular barrel train for a ride around the farm (£3 per person).

Book in April
A yellow Harvester demonstrator tractor working on a field of hay bales, with hay bales arranged in a circular pattern, green fields, trees, and parked cars in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Overhead view of a large maze made of hay bales on grass, with numerous people walking and exploring through the maze.
A person performing a handstand on a wooden beam, with a grassy area and trees in the background. People are gathered around, some sitting on hay bales, on a partly cloudy day.
Five boys sitting on a red tractor at an outdoor event, with a hay bale seat and a background of a field, trees, clouds, and other attendees.
A young boy with blonde hair and blue eyes playing in a sandbox at an outdoor park, holding a red and blue toy truck. In the background, blurred adults and children are sitting on a bench near greenery and a cloudy sky.
Children and adults walking through a maze made of hay bales on a grassy field. Cars are parked in the background, with a fence and trees further back.
Child in a blue hoodie and gray sneakers jumping across rectangular hay bales arranged as a course outdoors, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A large yellow Haynes combine harvester on a grassy field during daytime, with hay bales and children playing in the background.
People in a hay maze with hay bales, benches, and a tractor, surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
Two young boys running outside on a dirt path, smiling and enjoying a sunny day with trees and a blue sky in the background.
An aerial view of a large outdoor hay maze with hay bales designed in a maze pattern, surrounded by a grassy field. There are multiple parked cars, some trucks, and several people walking around the maze. A few small structures and equipment are also
Children playing on hay bales in an outdoor field with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Two children lying on a haystack, hugging, with other children and adults in the background at an outdoor event in a rural setting under a cloudy sky.
Young boy crawling through a black plastic pipe outdoors near hay bales.
A person performing a handstand on hay bales at an outdoor event with cloudy skies and several spectators watching, some sitting and some walking around, in the background.
Child running and smiling on a wooden plank at a hay bale play area at a farm or outdoor event.
A young girl with blonde hair, wearing a pink patterned jacket and gray leggings, stands on a haystack with her arms raised in the air, against a cloudy sky.
An aerial view of a grassy field with several large shaded canopy tents, a playground area with foam blocks and equipment, wooden benches and various scattered objects and structures, bordered by a road with trees along the top edge.

FAQs

  • The Big Bale Play is an outdoor pop-up adventure where children can climb, jump and explore a giant straw bale playground and maze. It’s designed to burn off energy and enjoy simple outdoor fun.

  • Big Bale Play runs for nine days during May half term, with sessions typically operating daily between 10am and 5pm (last entry mid-afternoon).

  • Tickets will be on sale here in April. We strongly recommend booking in advance because we can’t guarantee entry on the day.

  • 2027 ticket prices will be released in April.

  • The event is designed for children up to 14 years old, with a dedicated under-5s play area. All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

  • All tickets are non-refundable unless we’re forced to cancel the event.

  • Yes. If you created an account when booking, you can log-in and move your tickets to another date, free of charge and subject to availability.

    Alternatively, email hello@highlodgefarm.com at least 24 hours before your session and we will do our best to accommodate you - but this is not guaranteed.

    We cannot transfer tickets to another High Lodge event.

  • Yes, we usually run two SEND sessions. Check back in April for more details.

  • Yes. There’s plenty of free parking in our events field off the A415 Abingdon Road OX14 3BN.

  • Yes, there will be Portaloos, including one accessible toilet with a baby changing table. Please note, we’re a working farm and facilities are basic and limited on site.

  • Don't worry if you're a bit early or late for your slot. The sessions are to roughly manage the flow of people coming into the car park. You can stay for as long as you like!

  • You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like during the day. Most families stay a few hours, but you can stay until closing time.

    • Trainers (no wellies, sandals or flip-flops)

    • Long trousers recommended (straw can be scratchy)

    • Weather-appropriate clothing (sun hats, sunscreen, or layers)

  • Our refreshment trailer The Toot sells coffee, tea, hot chocolate, brownies, Easter cookies, flapjacks, ice cream and cold drinks.

    The Tasty Toot sells burgers, chips, hot dogs, breakfast baps and a selection of toasted sandwiches.

  • No, please feel free to bring as much water as you need. Bottled water will be available to purchase.

  • Cash and card payments are taken everywhere on site.

  • Dogs are not allowed, only assistance dogs.

Book in April