
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre
📍 Brentwood, East of England
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Peaceful farm sanctuary housing over 600 rescued animals including horses, alpacas, and pigs. Ethical animal interactions, children's play area, and plant-based Max's Cafe with indoor and marquee seating.
🏆 Funzaroo Verdict
Best for families who want a calm, meaningful animal experience rather than a high-stimulation attraction. The rescued animals are notably confident and approachable - reviewers report horses walking up and seeking contact. The vegan cafe removes dietary planning stress.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,177 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Olivia Collins
11 months ago
“Can’t recommend a visit to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary more! We absolutely loved it, so many lovely & happy animals, a really calming, peaceful, caring and genuine place to visit. The cafe was fab too, we really enjoyed our coffees, sandwiches and cakes there! We will definitely be back!”
Ms Chhetri
a year ago
“We visited Hopefield Sanctuary yesterday with the kids, and it was such a lovely day out. A lot has changed since I last came two years ago - all for the better! It was heartwarming to see how well the animals are cared for. The rescued horses, in particular, were so friendly and confident around people, which says so much about the love and attention they receive. The children had a fantastic time meeting all the animals and exploring the sanctuary. It’s such a peaceful, welcoming place, and you can tell how much the team truly cares about their work. Highly recommend for families or anyone who wants to support a great cause while spending time with some beautiful animals.❤️”
Dimi
a year ago
“We love Hopefield! This is the third year in a row we visit and it has become our favourite tradition. This year they went above and beyond for Halloween! Guys, you've outdone yourselves, the Spooky Barn was amazing!!!! The staff is always friendly and approachable too. My favourite thing is seeing all our favourite animals🥹 my favourite is Millie, the blind sheep, made me cry, wish I could sponsor her😭 thank you Hopefield for giving these animals a chance to live a happy life 🥹 Also love Maxs cafe, so refreshing to not have to worry and triple check that the food you're ordering is vegan! We will be back next year🥰”
📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsVegan food
74 reviews
Rescued animals
45 reviews
Animal sanctuary
33 reviews
Vegan cafe
28 reviews
Variety of animals
28 reviews
Overview
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary houses rescued animals across a farm setting in Brentwood, with over 600 animals including horses, cows, pigs, and smaller species. Hands-on animal experiences - including pig tickling and cow cuddling - are available. The on-site Max's Cafe serves plant-based food with indoor and marquee seating. A children's play area and accessible paths make it workable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Seasonal events include Easter activities and Halloween celebrations.






