The History of Folly Farm

Folly Farm opened in 1988 following the decision to diversify from dairy farming into the leisure industry.  A limited company, owned and operated by the Williams and Ebsworth families, it attracts 400,000 visitors to the 200 acre park each year making it Wales' top paid-for tourist attraction.

Winner of the Wales Tourist Board's Best Day Out in Wales award in 2005 and 2010 and the 2009 recipient of Pembrokeshire Tourism's Best Family Day Out award, Folly Farm's visitors can experience a whole day of entertainment in six fun-filled zones.  Over the last twenty years Folly Farm has heavily re-invested into the attraction as part of a continual improvement and development programme.

Folly Farm holds Investor in People status and is a major employer in Pembrokeshire with 60 full time employees and an additional 100 seasonal members of staff.

Folly Farm Key Milestones

• 1988 - Opened to the public with milking, bottlefeeding and petting attractions
• 1989 - Introduction of outdoor adventure playgrounds
• 1990 - Nature Trail opens with land train ride
• 1991 - Large extension to Jolly Barn area with more animals and more hands-on activities
• 1992 - Go-Kart attraction introduced
• 1993 - First indoor adventure playground opens
• 1994 - Extension to outdoor adventure playgrounds including Pirates Adventure
• 1995 - Winner of the Schroeders Best Large Tourist Attraction award
• 1996 - First Funfair ride installed
• 1997 - Pets' Centre opens
• 1998 - Dodgems and Lakin Skid open in the Funfair
• 1999 - Investor in People status accreditation first achieved
• 2000 - Golden Gallopers open in the Funfair
• 2001 - Follies Theatre opens and work commences on construction of the zoo
• 2002 - First zoo animals arrive and first achieve Green Dragon Environmental standard
• 2003 - Big Wheel and Helter Skelter open
• 2004 - Folly Wood country park opens
• 2005 - Folly Farm wins the Wales Tourist Board's Best Day Out in Wales award
• 2006 - Carousel Woods indoor adventure playground opens
• 2007 - Big Dig attraction opens
• 2008 - Folly Farm celebrates 20th Birthday and hosts Annual Industry Zoo Conference
• 2009 - Folly Farm welcomes Wales' ONLY giraffe to their new home and wins Premier Family Day Out at Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards
• 2010 - New website launched and Farmer Glyn's Interactive Farmyard opens to the public.  Folly Farm wins Best Family Day Out in Wales at the National Tourism Awards and the new website picks up the award for Best Digital Marketing
• 2011 -   Refurbishment of Pets Centre to create Folly interactive, an education-based sensory exhibit.  Launch of new ride The Pembrokeshire Wheel, a 25m big wheel.  Folly Farm awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for consistently achieving great reviews from visitors