SCHOOL holidays always draw a crowd to Roves Farm, but this weekend some of those who arrived on Friday evening had the opportunity to stay right through until Monday.

The farm was hosting the first of three camping weekends to be held this year, families arrived ahead of the long weekend and pitched tents in the field next to the visitor’s centre.

After breakfast in the tearoom they have the run of the site during the day with access to the activities and the animals as well as the indoor and outdoor play areas.

By late afternoon, when the routine visitors have left for the day, the weekend campers enjoy an evening barbecue with produce from the farm itself, an evening tractor ride and then marshmallows round the campfire.

Roves Farm event manager, Katie Allen, said: “It’s all going well, it’s our first one of the year with another one in late June and a third in late July.

“We’re going to do a big barbecue tonight for them all using our own produce, it has become really popular.

“This is actually our quieter weekend, the other two are nearly fully booked already.

“It’s something a bit different for the families, just being here at night time is quite special and the kids think it’s amazing.”

Although the farm is less than six miles from Swindon, it feels like it could be hundreds of miles away.

The camping weekends have risen in popularity by offering all the adventure of a weekend away, while removing the hassle and logistical challenges of driving for hours with children in tow.

As well as the camping, the team put on their traditional range of school holiday activities including the ever-popular themed tractor rides.

The farm has already played host to the gingerbread man and the Easter bunny this year and as half term got underway, it was the turn of the three little pigs.

The children on the tractor took on the role of the big bad wolf as they toured the farm doing their best to blow down the houses the little pigs had built.

Lucy Martin, from Wroughton, said: “We’re just here for the afternoon, we’ve been on a tractor ride and fed the animals - the kids think it’s great fun.

“To be honest I didn’t know they did camping up here until I saw all the tents, it’s a good idea for something different to do on a long weekend, and it’s close to home.

“We’ll definitely look into it.”

The three little pig themed tractor rides will be running for the next two weeks alongside the usual range of activities including animal handling, animal feeding, indoor play and crafts.

The next two camping weekends are almost full so act fast, more information can be found at www.rovesfarm.co.uk