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Beacon Hill Children's Farm
Category: Active Life Zoos Zoos [Edit]
Circle Dr & Beacon Hill LoopVictoria, BC V8V 4Z8
(250) 381-2532
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
6 reviews for Beacon Hill Children's Farm
6 reviews in English
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Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
7/25/2010
Omigod, I fucking love this place!!! Last time I was there was after a brutal night of drinking, and let me tell you, nothing in the world makes you feel like an upstanding, moral citizen again like petting baby goats. I just want to sit in the middle of their pen shouting tourettes-esque things since I really can't handle how incredibly awesome they are. If I ever see someone there who doesn't appear to be delighted and enthralled by their adorable antics, I would assume they were some sort of monster, incapable of feeling emotion.
They operate by donation, and even though they suggest only 2 to 3 bucks, even this hobo thinks it's worth giving them a bit more since it's such an amazing place. When I was there I saw so many little kids who were beyond stoked- it may have been their first time being so close to baby animals! It's such a rad experience right in the middle of beautiful Beacon Hill Park.
Aside from the goats (who i could go on and on about) there are also peacocks, ducks, chickens, a miniature horse, birds, pot bellied pigs, bunnies... and probably more that I'm forgetting, which means I've gotta go back there next time I'm on the island! -
Review from Garbiel A.
Victoria, BC
6/13/2009
This is one of the most fun places I've ever been at while in Victoria.
Fun.
Goats. They want to hang out with you. They want to stand on your back and on your lap. they want to eat your jacket, your shoelaces, your skirt, your shorts, and your botch shirt.
They also want to pee right in front of you and poop little blueberries everywhere.
they're adorable and i want to go and pet them and talk to them and act all surprised every time one of them jumps on my lap.
Goats are the best.
Alpacas are pretty neat to look at too, but they don't jump on your lap.
There are other animals there but I don't care about them. -
Review from Beth C.
Victoria, BC
6/9/2009 2 photos
Beacon Hill Children's Farm/Petting Zoo is the best part of Victoria.
They've been operating for years and years, and are such an excellent, admirable non-profit organization. I know, because I volunteered there every summer from ages 10-14 or so, and then worked as paid staff until the summer I was 17.
The Koenders family (Dennis and Linda, and their kids Marcia, Lee and Neil) have run the family since the mid 1980s. They've never charged an admission fee, and operate solely on public donations (suggested donations: $2.00 for a child, $3.00 for an adult). The animals, as well as being fun, cuddly, funny and great, are also well-kept, respected, humanely treated and cared for. The Koenders used to (and perhaps still do) take on children, teenagers and adults as volunteers (and staff, where applicable and appropriate), which as a child was a valuable opportunity for a city kid - I may have started volunteering for dibs on peacock feathers and a chance to pat fluffy things, but cleaning out horse stalls and chicken coops, cleaning a hayloft and raking taught me the value of hardwork. Combing and grooming horses gave me respect for animals that were bigger (and stronger, and faster) than me. Helping deliver baby goats taught me to care for things smaller and weaker than me. And seeing animals die, or be born dead, was an important part of learning about that side of life, too.
Through it all, the Children's Farm was a positive, educational, real place to be. I was expected to work hard, but had a lot of fun, too.
Now, as an adult, I still love it there and make sure to visit a few times every year. The farm requires a lot of upkeep, but it's still looking great. This year there are guinea pigs, bunnies, alpacas, Peanut Butter the miniature horse, the mice who live in a loaf of bread, chickens, ducks two turkeys (new, and wow they're big up close), a donkey with her new baby Toffee, the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs (pat one - they feel like hairbrushes!), the bird aviary, and of course, the goats. Wear something easy to bend in, that you don't mind getting dirty, and if you get a little pee on you, don't be squeamish - it washes off and it's all part of the experience. Goats love people, and if you sit on the barn step of one of the stumps provided, chances are you'll have a hoofy little thing on you nibbling your shirt.
This is such a magical place, for kids and adults alike - it would be devastating if Victoria ever lost it. -
Review from joe w.
Victoria, BC
7/13/2009
By far the very best place to bring children while in Victoria on a sunny day.
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Review from j w.
5/13/2009
i've never seen anything quite like this before, what a great discovery! the baby goats are adorable and this little place is so well kept. a perfect place to bring the little ones and enjoy some time interacting with animals. it is truly amazing to have so many little goats around you, prancing around. so much fun.
there is no gate entrance fee, but they take donations so support this place please!
i could not find an actual address but here are is the location provided on the website:
The farm is located in Beacon Hill Park, close to downtown Victoria. You can get there by walking, bus, or car.
Travel down Douglas Street , close to Mile 0, and Dallas Road.
Enter the park, by turning left, across from Simco Street (which is a one way so cannot turn right), then turn left again to follow along Circle Drive and we are just across from the putting green.
Parking is free up to 3 1/2 hours and there are two wheelchair accessible parking spaces right outside the farm. -
Review from ANDREW N.
Victoria, BC
9/16/2009
The park has a nice selection of animals when open (it's not open off season or in bad weather0. lots of cute animals but i do have concerns about some of the conditions there. For example i don't get the sense that all the animals in the petting area just before the goats want to be petted. And while not the farm's fault, but the aviary, otherwise the more relaxing area, seems to attract particularly loud children. Still it's a decent time passer if you're in the right mood. So a borderline recommendation.
