Home of the internationally renowned Cotebrook Shire Horse Stud, the Centre has been breeding prize winning Shires for over 40 years and form its centrepiece. Alongside the magnificent heavy horses, there is a delightful selection of British animals and birdlife - both wild and domesticated - including rare breeds.
Animals cared for at the Centre change from season to season as young are born and injured wildlife are rescued. The farmyard includes such animals as Shetland Ponies, pigs and piglets, hens, ducks and peacocks and the wildlife, Scottish wild cats, otters, polecats, red foxes, red deer, birds of prey and game birds.
The woodland consists of four and a half acres with 1500 native trees planted in December 2009. A small brood of Lohmann Brown hens who run free in the woodland area, producing four to five dozen delicious eggs in a variety of sizes and shades of brown. You can sample them in homemade egg sandwiches or as scrambled eggs in the Lakeside Cafe or purchase some to take home with you.
Exhibition Centre
Here you will discover the history of the Shire Horse, from their carrying of Knights into battle during the Middle Ages, to their near extinction in the 1950s with the introduction of cars. You can learn how to plait for a show, watch a DVD about life on a Shire Horse Stud Farm, from pregnancy to foal, and to meet the real thing up close.
Wildlife Watch Nature Trail
Cheshire Wildlife Trust has teamed up with Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre to provide a new Wildlife Watch Nature Trail which links the native species exhibits at the Exhibition Centre, with the wildlife that can be found both on the farm and in the wider surrounding countryside.
Experience Day
You can enjoy a wonderful day getting up close and personal with some of the biggest horses in the world with the aim of giving people the chance to get a taste for what life is like looking after Shire horses. The day could include everything from mucking out the stables and feeding the horses, to preparing for the show ring by washing the feathers and plaiting the mane.
Venue: Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, Cotebrook, Near Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9DS, Telephone: 01829 760506 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Opening Times: 10.00am-5.00pm Open all year round except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Open as normal on New Years Day. Last entry 4.00pm
Lakeside Café and Gift Shop open to non visitors to the Centre. There is also a picnic area.
Admission: Please click here for the latest admission charges