Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find answers to our most commonly asked questions. We’ve split the info into 2 sections to make it easier to find your answer. Firstly, information for visitors, and secondly, things to know before making a purchase. Click on the question to reveal the answer.
Information for patrons
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If it’s not in your inbox, please check your spam folder, in case the email goes in there by mistake. During busy times, it may take up to 60 minutes before the email arrives. Please give it an hour before chasing a missing email, and don't forget to check your junk folder!
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All the experiences say pending rather than fulfilled, it is nothing to worry about. Your order number is confirmation of your booking.
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To book select the experience required, and then an available date, and add it to the cart. Then when you go to checkout, Under ‘Order summary’ is a box to enter the Gift Code, click Apply, this will redeem your voucher and then you simply continue with the checkout process.
The voucher code is in a 16 digit format e.g. xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx -
No, the gift vouchers have no expiry date, they always retain their monetary value. However, prices for experiences may be subject to an increase from time to time but you will be able to pay the additional fee.
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We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the start of your experience so you can check in. If you arrive late, you may miss part of the experience as the experiences run at set times.
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We groom the cows in a covered area, plus the safari tour trailer is designed for all weathers, so the experiences are not affected by british weather. We won’t cancel unless the conditions are extreme, such as amber or red weather warnings.
If the roads are too dangerous due to snow and ice, a full refund or a rescheduled date will be offered.Your experience gets better on a rainy day! Our Highland cows actually love wet days! Put on a waterproof coat and dress for the occasion and you’ll be fine
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We suggest wellies or waterproof outdoor footwear, the experience is outdoors so please make sure you dress appropriately for the weather.
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Unfortunately, for insurance purposes, only paid participants are allowed on our experiences.
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No, there is food on site to feed the animals. Food from home can introduce harmful pathogens to the farm, potentially causing outbreaks of animal diseases.
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Highland Cows of the Peak Experiences are located on Whirlow Hall Farm, Whirlow Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S11 9QF.
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Only when advised you can do so, to make sure you are kept safe. Whilst our cattle are friendly and curious, they are farm animals and can cause serious harm if they’re having an off day. You will have the chance to pet young calves on each of our experiences.
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Yes, there is a free car park available.
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Yes, definitely. Take as many photos of the highlands as you like and we’re always happy to take pictures of you with them too. Don’t forget to tag us! #peakhighlandcowexperience
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Our Mini Moos under go halter training as an integral part of our Highland cattle breeding program, focusing on building a calm, trusting, and well-behaved relationship with our cows through patient, gentle handling. The process involves introducing the halter slowly, allowing calves to adjust to it, then teaching them to stand still and lead in short, positive sessions. This approach ensures their cows are well-prepared should they need care, and can lead to longer, happier, and stress-free lives.
Key Aspects of MaHuRuCo Fold's Approach:
Early Introduction: Calves are introduced to haltering at a young age to facilitate trust and handling.
Patience and Respect: The training emphasizes patience, mutual respect, and a stress-free environment to avoid aggression.
Gradual Steps: The process is broken down into manageable steps:
Haltering: Calves are first allowed to get accustomed to wearing the halter for short periods.
Tying: Calves are then taught to stand still by being tied up for short durations.
Leading: Once they are comfortable, they are led short distances to prepare them for future handling.
Positive Reinforcement: Gentle handling, patting, and reassurance are used to help calves feel comfortable and accept the halter.
Safety Measures: Quick-release knots are used for safety when tying up calves. Improves public safety as calves are more controlled around people.
Long-Term Benefits: This training provides an added layer of security for the cattle, increasing their chances of having a good life when they need to moved, treated with medication, hoof trimming etc.
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Unfortunately, dogs may spook the coos so they must stay home.
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Once a booking is made it is non-refundable after 24 hours, unless we have to cancel the experience in which case an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
Gift vouchers are non-refundable.After 24 hours from booking, refunds can only be offered if we can re-sell the tickets (minus 4% transaction and admin fees) or an alternative date will be offered.
Refunds will be processed within ten working days. Reimbursement will be made in the same format as payment was taken or another agreed method if this is unsuitable.
If you or any party member wish to cancel or reschedule a confirmed booking, we require the person who made the booking to email us on info@highlandcowsofthepeak.co.uk not less than 48 hours before the start of the farm tour experience.
Should you wish to cancel your experience less than 48 hours before the booking, if you do not show up for the booking or if you do not attend the meeting point before the start time, then Highland Cows of the Peak cannot issue an refund.
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We are a working farm and our experiences are by pre-booked appointment only. All participants must have purchased an experience online through our website before arrival. Unfortunately, spectators are not allowed on experiences.
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We allow bookings up to one year in advance for the VIP highland cow experiences.
We aim to have a few months worth of dates for the highland cow experiences online at any one time, to give you a chance to plan your visit.
May dates will be added at the end of February etc. -
New dates are added at the end of the month.
Any extra availability due to rescheduling or cancellations will be displayed on the announcement bar at the top of the website.
May dates for the Highland Cow Experiences will be added at the end of February, June in March etc. -
Sorry, but we only ship gifts and adoption packs to the United Kingdom.
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The experiences take place throughout the entire year. We groom the mini moos in a covered area, plus the safari trailer has a roof, so the experiences are not affected by British weather and will only not go ahead in extreme conditions.
Each season has its own pros and cons.
Winter - Great for full shaggy coats but you’ll also need to bring your own winter coat and wellies!
Autumn - Lots of lovely colours in the background but the weather can be unpredictable!
Spring/Summer - The majority of calves are born in late spring, plus drier weather but there can also be lots of flies!
Don’t worry there are calves born throughout the year so there will always be cute little ones to meet and photograph. -
Yes. If you can’t add the correct number of participants required, that means there are insufficient places remaining. Please try an alternative date or time.
N.B. This does not apply to VIP Experiences, as they are per session. -
Our Highland Calf Hands-On Experience is our most accessible experience, we can arrange for you to park in the same yard as the cows for easier access.
The Deluxe Highland Cow Experience and the Meet the Coos Tour may also be suitable depending on the width of the wheelchair, less than 2ft wide, or if you can stand long enough to get into the trailer.
We do not recommend wheelchair users book on to our Peak Highland Cattle Experience as the meadow mooch involves undulating ground not suitable for wheelchairs.
We have accessible parking, toilets and a cafe onsite. -
Prices start from £10 per person for a booking on our mid-week Highland Calf Hands-On Experience.
The Meet the Coos Experience is £30 per person.
The Peak Highland Cattle is £50 per person.
Prices for the Deluxe Highland Cow Experience start from £240 per slot for up to 6 people mid-week. -
We recommend that people with SEN or a disability book the Highland Calf Hands-On Encounter as this is the most accessible experience.
We offer SEN-Friendly Highland Calf Hands-On sessions with reduced numbers on Wednesdays at 10am.One carer can attend as a spectator for free per booking for the Highland Calf Hands-On Encounter only. You will be able to take photos for the participant, but will not be able to get hands-on with the cows if you haven't purchased a ticket. First make your booking for the participants, then inform us via email before your visit if you plan to accompany someone as a non-participating spectator, please include your order number.
We do not recommend wheelchair users book on to our Peak Highland Cattle Experience as the meadow meander involves undulating ground not suitable for wheelchairs.
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Mini Moo is a fun name for a weaned calf (6 months plus) which are used for our Highland Calf Hands-On Experiences.
It is not a miniature highland cow as there is no such thing, there are two ways to make a highland cow smaller than normal, cross-breeding with smaller cows such as dexters - which means it will no longer be a true highland cow or stunting the calves growth with poor nutrition - weaning the calf early. Both of which can lead to health issues later on in life and poor examples of the breed. As pedigree breeders, we want the best for the highland cow breed so the calf will spend, at least, its first 6 to 9 months with its mother.
(Newborn calves should not be separated from their mother and raised as bottle babies unless it is necessary for the health of the mother or calf). -
The Meet the Coos Experience is suitable for all ages, children 2 years and younger are free but will have to sit on your knees during the safari part of the tour.
The Highland Calf Hands-On Experience is best suited for ages 5 and upward.
The Peak Highland Cattle Experience is best suited for adults and well-behaved children ages 8 and upwards.
The Deluxe Highland Cow Experience can be tailored to suit all ages.
These ages are merely suggestions and we know each child is different, so you are welcome to bring your child if you think they would enjoy it. All we ask that all little ones are well-behaved, supervised at all times and don’t run, touch or shout around the animals. This can upset them and we would have to end your experience if this happens.Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
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Yes, many of them have Gaelic names. Your guide will tell you all about how they get their names and what they mean.
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Children are welcome, however, most of our visitors are Highland Cow loving adults.
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The government states:
'Pregnant people should avoid close contact with farm animals, especially those that are giving birth or have recently given birth, to protect their health and the health of their unborn child.
Infectious organisms can be present in the birth fluids of animals like sheep, cattle, and goats, and can cause infections such as chlamydiosis, listeriosis, Q fever, and toxoplasmosis. Some of these diseases can cause an abortion.
To avoid infection, pregnant people should:
Avoid helping ewes to lamb
Avoid contact with aborted or newborn lambs, calves, or kids
Avoid handling clothing, boots, or any materials that may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth
If you visit a farm, you can reduce the risk of infection by:
Removing and cleaning boots or shoes and cleaning pushchair wheels at the end of your visit
Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking
Only eating and drinking in picnic areas or cafes.'
Whilst it is unlikely you would come into contact with any birthing animals we can't guarantee it would be completely safe, so it would be at your own risk.
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Visitors participate at their own risk and experiences may vary. Even though we spend time with the animals every day and they are generally very friendly and love being fussed over, scratched and groomed. However, like people, animals can have off days and may be unpredictable or act ‘out of character’, visitors participate with this understanding and Highland Cows of the Peak are not liable for any accidents due to animal behaviour.