A little history
Set on the borders of the breath taking Lancashire and Yorkshire countryside, Thornton Hall Country Park has been run by the Harrison family for over 18 years.
Back in 2001, as was the case for so many farms across the country, the farm fell victim to Foot & Mouth. John Harrison and his wife Sandra took the brave decision to diversify and re-opened the farm as a visitor centre to local schools and education centres. Such was the success of this new business, the farm continued to grow as they opened up the farm and play centre to the public.
Award Winning …
Chris Harrison and his wife Emma took over after his parents retired in 2015 and are the fourth generation of the Dawson / Harrison family to farm here. Continuing to grow and thrive Thornton Hall Country Park is an award-winning leisure attraction that provides animal encounters, live shows and experiences, play areas, camping, quad-biking, diner, thrilling family events as well as spectacular evening shows (you can even get married here!)
“One of the many rewards working here is the people – working with our wonderful team and being able to see families enjoy their day, coupled with the great feedback we receive, makes it all worthwhile.”
Emma Harrison
Regenerative Tourism Information
At Thornton Hall Country Park, we believe that tourism should be a force for good—enhancing not only our guests’ experiences but also the land, wildlife, and community that surround us. As a family-run, working farm and visitor attraction, we are committed to regenerative practices that protect the environment, support local livelihoods, and educate our visitors on the importance of sustainability.
Climate
We are actively working towards reducing our carbon footprint by investing in energy-efficient systems and responsible sourcing. Our recent improvements include LED lighting across the site, minimised vehicle use on-site, walkable pathways and transport links with an ongoing review of energy consumption with the goal of transitioning to renewable sources.
Circular Economy
We use local suppliers wherever possible, reducing transport miles and supporting the regional economy. Our diner uses locally sourced ingredients, and we offer seasonal menus to reduce food waste. Waste across the park is carefully sorted and recycled, including compostable food packaging. We’ve eliminated single-use plastics in our catering operations and prioritise durable, reusable materials in our retail and event offerings.
Biodiversity
As a working farm, nature is central to our business. We actively protect and enhance our natural habitats—maintaining hedgerows, supporting pollinators, and rotating grazing to preserve soil health. Educational talks help visitors understand the importance of biodiversity, and we are looking at developing a nature trail to further highlight local wildlife and conservation efforts.
Place-Based Values
We’re proud to be part of the local community and work closely with nearby schools, businesses, and charities. We prioritise local hiring, host community events, and contribute to regional tourism initiatives. Our ethos is to offer experiences that respect and reflect the rural heritage of the area—ensuring tourism brings lasting value to the place we call home.
Thornton Hall Farm | Thornton Hall Events | Secret Garden | Thornton Hall Weddings
Thornton Hall Camping | Screams | A Thornton Hall Christmas Adventure