When you start searching for a family day out in Scotland, it’s very easy to end up with the same kind of list.
Theme parks.
Soft play.
Museums.
Big visitor attractions.
They’re all great.
But sometimes what everyone actually needs is somewhere you don’t have to rush.
Somewhere the kids can get muddy, feed an animal, spend far too long watching a pig doing something apparently fascinating and enjoy being outside without anyone trying to get to the next ride before the queue gets too big.
That’s where we come in.
Jacksons at Jedburgh isn’t really about packing as much entertainment as possible into a day.
It’s about stepping onto a real working family farm, slowing everything down for a few hours and seeing what happens.
And, quite often, that’s what makes it memorable.
A Family Experience Rather Than Another Attraction
We’re quite happy not to be a polished theme park.
There are no flashing lights.
No enormous rides.
No timetable telling you that you need to be somewhere else in seven minutes.
Instead, you get a map, head onto the farm and explore.
Meet the animals.
Feed whoever is particularly persuasive that day.
Let the children play.
Go for a walk.
Stop for a picnic.
Watch what’s actually happening around you.
Some families will whizz straight off to find the Highland cows.
Others will discover that their child would quite happily spend half an hour watching the chickens.
Both approaches are absolutely fine.
That’s the point.
Meet the Actual Residents
Of course, a farm day out wouldn’t be much of a farm day out without animals.
At Jacksons, you’ll meet a mixture of the animals that live and work here.
There are our Highland cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and cattle – although exactly what you see will always depend a little on the season and what’s happening on the farm.
And that’s part of visiting somewhere real.
There might be young animals.
There might be piglets.
There might be something happening that wasn’t happening the week before.
Or you might discover that the greatest entertainment of the entire visit is a goat attempting to convince you that it hasn’t been fed for approximately six months.
It probably has.
Yes, There Are Highland Cows
We know.
For quite a few of you, this is the important bit.
Our Highland cows have a habit of stealing the show.
You can see the fold as part of a visit to the farm, but if meeting a Highland cow is firmly on someone’s bucket list, you can make more of it with our Highland Cow Experience.
It gives you the chance to head out across the farm, learn more about the animals and meet the fold properly.
And yes, you can take photographs.
In fact, we’d be more surprised if you didn’t.
A Day Out That Works at Your Pace
Families don’t all enjoy days out in the same way.
For some children, big, busy attractions are brilliant.
For others, the noise, crowds and pressure to move constantly from one thing to another can make a family day out much harder work.
At Jacksons, you can take things much more at your own pace.
If someone wants to stop and watch an animal for a while, that’s fine.
If you need a break, take one.
If you’d rather explore slowly instead of trying to see absolutely everything, nobody is keeping score.
If someone in your family has additional needs, sensory considerations or would simply benefit from knowing more about what to expect before arriving, we’ve put together more information to help you plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Jacksons at Jedburgh a unique family day out?
Jacksons is a real working family farm rather than a traditional visitor attraction. You can meet and feed farm animals, explore outdoors and experience farm life at your own pace.
Exactly what you see can change throughout the year because the farm follows the seasons.
What animals can children see?
You can expect to meet animals including Highland cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and cattle.
There may also be younger animals such as piglets, lambs, chicks or calves at different points in the year, depending on what’s happening naturally on the farm.
Can we meet Highland cows?
Yes.
You can see Highland cows during a farm visit, or book a dedicated Highland Cow Experience if you’d like a closer guided encounter with the fold.
Is Jacksons suitable for children with additional needs?
We know every family is different, so we’ve created a dedicated guide to help families understand what visiting a working farm is like and plan ahead.
You can read our Accessible Farm Visits information before booking, and you’re always welcome to contact us if there’s something specific you’d like to ask.
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes. Families with children of different ages visit the farm, and one of the benefits of a self-guided visit is being able to move around at a pace that suits your own family.
What should we wear?
This is a working farm in Scotland.
Sensible footwear and clothes that can cope with the weather are always a good idea.
In autumn, we’d strongly recommend layers, waterproofs and footwear you don’t mind getting a little muddy.
Do we need to book?
We recommend booking ahead, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
If you’re booking a specific experience such as the Highland Cow Experience, advance booking is especially important because spaces are limited.
