60 New Jobs Created as Local Conservation Charity Launches New Visitor Attraction in Torbay

Over 60 new jobs have been created in Torbay as local conservation charity, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (TCCT) launches a new, all-weather, year-round, visitor attraction. The opening of Occombe Farm Park & Play is the final phase in the massive regeneration of Occombe Farm. A new and much larger farm shop opened in August last year and an extended and refurbished farm café opened the year before.

Occombe Farm Park & Play is a mix of indoor and outdoor play an animal encounters barn and a self-guided trail around the animal paddocks.

Not only has Occombe’s regeneration created new jobs for the local community but it has a great story to tell too. All the spend at Occombe Farm supports the work of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. TCCT is a small conservation charity caring for many beautiful green spaces across Torbay, including an extensive 40 miles of paths and bridleways.

Occombe is a shop window to share Torbay’s great natural heritage story. Even the unique new play space has been designed to represent the places TCCT cares for. The Bay’s stunning landscapes are represented through cliff faces to scramble up, a giant winkle shell to climb inside, slides to soar down, a shipwreck to clamber over, even a woodland with musical trees. Clever lighting effects and sounds of the sea and woodlands create a sensory play experience too.

Damian Offer, CEO. Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust said:

“We are thrilled to be opening a new visitor attraction at Occombe. We started planning the regeneration of Occombe over four years ago. After much hard work by all involved, we are delighted to finally see it become a reality. We wanted to create a great and fun place to visit that would also generate funds towards our charitable work across Torbay.

The additional funds from Occombe will enable us to do more and achieve our aspirations for a vibrant and healthy natural environment that the local community and visitors can experience and enjoy. The pandemic has shown us all how important our green spaces are for our mental and physical wellbeing and Occombe will help TCCT protect and manage them for future generations.”

The launch of Occombe is a significant achievement for Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust and everyone at the Trust is very proud of what has been accomplished. It has been an enormous challenge. Working through the disruption of a worldwide pandemic and the impact of Brexit on supply chains has been a real trial for all involved.

The new Occombe Farm Park & Play is now open every day. Aside from the great indoor play space are outdoor play features too, including a massive hay bale maze and messy kitchen. There’s a seasonal programme of activities every day from meeting the lambs and piglets to cuddles with bunnies and Guinea pigs. There’s a group of naughty goats, some very bouncy grey-face Dartmoor sheep and moody-looking Hebridean sheep. You’ll see three different breeds of chickens including some very cool and super fluffy silkies. Two very pretty Shetland ponies can’t wait to meet you too.

Tickets can be purchased on arrival at Occombe or in advance on the Occombe website.

Discover more on at www.occombe.co.uk or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #occombefarm