THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS AT CHURCH FARM
Church Farm is one of the Wirral ’ s most popular family attractions . With it ’ s family friendly animals , beautiful views , events , farm shop and café . Church Farm is three-time Wirral Tourism Award Winner , and has a firm place in the heart of Wirral families .
Steve Ledsham has been the well-known face of Church Farm for over 24 years , and is now retiring . Teaching himself to farm , he and his family have built the Farm from scratch . To a point where now the farm grows 15,000 Christmas Trees and 3,500 pumpkins , hosts 800 children egg hunting on Easter Friday and 99 weddings have been held with the breathtaking views over the River Dee to North Wales .
The 60 acre site boasts over 120 animals to see ; from new emus and pygmy goats to alpacas and meerkats . Along with an indoor beach , tractor and barrel train rides , crazy golf and an adventure playground . And to recover from all the excitement families can enjoy lunch in the organic farm shop café , or have an ice cream from the new ice cream parlor .
Steve says : “ I may be looking for a new owner to take over the reins , but Church Farm remains very much open for business . We have lots of exciting events in the pipeline and I believe this Christmas is going to be our best ever . We value our very special place in the community , and enjoy giving trees to schools and churches every Christmas .
“ So many local families , including my own , have such fond memories of growing up and visiting Church Farm and I will strive to ensure that whoever I sell to will continue that legacy as well .
Steve , a former divisional commander with Merseyside Fire Service , whose only experience of farming was growing vegetables in his back garden when he bought the Thurstaston farm in 1992 says , " They have been very happy times here for me and my family . I remember the first day I came here and I walked up the hill and saw the view and knew it was a special place .
" I did everything I could to move here , I sold everything I had and went into tremendous debt but I don ' t regret any of it . I have been a very , very lucky guy to be the custodian of this place but now it ' s time to hand it on to someone else .”
Steve and his family , who have all worked alongside him on the farm , created a lucrative side-line selling Christmas trees . It has become an annual tradition for many families to buy their trees from Church Farm . Now as experts in trees , customers are guaranteed the highest quality of freshly dug up trees grown in a sustainable manner . Unlike imported trees , which are cut many weeks in advance , all their trees are freshly cut throughout December and will not drop their needles if cared for correctly .
Enjoy a magical and festive family visit to Church Farm and start your own family tradition . Pick your tree ; each one lovingly grown and cared for , for over 10 years by the Ledsham family . Or visit the beautifully lit – up forest to meet Father Christmas on the Santa Experience ( tickets available via the website www . churchfarm . org . uk ).
Make a day of it and stay for lunch or a festive hot chocolate beside the cosy log burner , and pick up some last minute presents from the farm shop . Steve and his family look forward to welcoming you .
20 wirrallife . com