Published: 12 Jun 2025 | Last Updated: 12 Jun 2025 14:46:28

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) opened the gates to RVC Boltons Park Farm to the public over the weekend as part of the national LEAF Open Farm Sunday initiative.

More than 1,500 visitors came to see the innovative teaching farm, consisting of 200 hectares of mainly grazing land, 14 hectares of wildlife stewardship plots and 20 hectares of ancient mixed woodland.

Local residents had the opportunity to meet the two and four-legged friends who call Boltons Park Farm home, including lambs, calves, cows, pigs and chickens. They could also purchase milk from the dairy herd and eggs from the chickens, as well as enjoy cake from the RVC’s charity, the Animal Care Trust.

Visitors also had the chance to meet specialist RVC staff and student ambassadors, learning more about life on the farm, different vet skills, research and its animal teaching models.

During the course of the day, the RVC staff and students ran talks and demonstrations on pet First Aid, foot trimming and calving simulations. Activities were also provided for little ones to learn about science discovery. The event was also attended by the local Rural Support Police team and Fire Services, who brought a range of vehicles for the community to explore.

Newland Construction Limited, which is currently building a new facility at the farm, ran a ‘guess the number of balloons in the excavator cab’ competition, which was won by young resident, Jesse Stoddart, guessing 74 when the number was 75. He was awarded a special Lego Excavator prize.

The community enjoyed discovering the farm and all it had to offer, as well as picnics in the farmhouse garden. This annual event truly shared life behind the scenes at the RVC farm. 

Graeme Webster, Farm Manager at Boltons Park Farm, Royal Veterinary College, said:

“We were delighted to welcome so many members of the local community to RVC Boltons Park Farm for this year’s Open Farm Sunday. It was a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to experience the realities of life on a working teaching farm, meet our animals, and engage with our brilliant students and staff. They were also able to try out our specialist teaching models, use science microscopes, buy local produce, and find out about how RVC works with local services in the community.

“Events like this bring to life the RVC’s commitment to education, animal welfare and community engagement, and we’re thrilled that so many people joined us to share in that experience. Thanks to everyone who supported and attended, and we look forward to holding this special event again next year!”

The RVC has confirmed that the farm will be open once again for next year’s Open Farm Sunday on June 7^th 2026.

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• The press team at rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA (probationary) in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.