WITH tourism and hospitality businesses finally getting the green light to open last weekend, the team at Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh have been working hard to maintain social distancing and keep visitors safe.

With the first week under their belt, farm owner Chris Murray is feeling confident and receiving very positive feedback from his visitors after a great deal of hard work behind the scenes.

Chris says: ‘We have installed hygiene screens at all our tills along with social distancing markers in all the public areas. Our picnic areas have been reconfigured to allow visitors space, we’ve added more hand sanitising stations and provide all our team with PPE.’

Despite all the safety precautions he is still determined that his visitors will enjoy all the fun of the farm with firm favourite activities like pig racing still going ahead every day.

Following government guidelines for a phased reopening, the farm is offering limited numbers of tickets each day. There is a morning session 9am – 1pm and an afternoon session 2pm – 6pm to ensure that visitors can move around and enjoy the animals and activities with plenty of personal space.

Chris says: ‘Feedback so far has been very encouraging with visitors telling us that they can still have a great visit while feeling safe, from having their temperature check on arrival to sanitising their hands as they leave.’

Chris did demonstrate how reluctant miniature ponies and donkeys are to embrace social distancing but assures us that the visitors are far less trouble!