An attraction near Penkridge is celebrating a hat-trick of awards success including claiming the title of Farm of the Year.
PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm also won the Educational Initiative of the Year and Diversification of the Year categories at the inaugural Farmer Rural Awards, which recognised the best in farming and rural enterprise across the region.
Launched in 2020, the family-run business has grown from a traditional beef and arable farm into a popular visitor attraction which has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.
PLAY@ was praised by judges for its innovative approach to education, which includes hands-on home educators’ sessions and its ‘children’s farm’ outreach stand that takes the farming story to major regional shows.
Richard Bower, who runs the attraction alongside his father Ray, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won not one, but three awards at The Farmer Rural Awards 2025.
“It’s a huge honour and something we dedicate entirely to our incredible team — they’re the ones who bring PLAY@ to life every single day.
“We also want to thank everyone who has visited and supported us over the past five years since we first opened our doors. Their enthusiasm and feedback continue to inspire us to grow, improve and share our passion for farming with even more families.”
