Standalone Farm is inviting families to get lost this summer with the launch of a brand new maize maze, opening on Monday as part of a packed programme of holiday activities.

Hitchin Nub News was given a preview of the Letchworth attraction by Commercial Manager Emily, with the sounds of roosters crowing, horses grazing and families already enjoying the farm setting ahead of the school holiday rush.

The new maze – cut into the shape of a cow's head – is included in the standard admission price and takes around 45 minutes to complete. It forms part of a new area of the farm and is expected to be one of this summer's biggest attractions.

Alongside the maze, visitors can enjoy the farm's popular daily tractor rides, with eight rides taking place each day. Due to demand, families are now asked to book their tractor ride slot when they arrive.

Elsewhere around the farm there have been a number of improvements, including fresh bark and sand in the adventure playground and new fencing around the water play area.

Animal lovers will also find plenty of familiar faces. Among the residents are the farm's four Highland cows, a family of Shire horses – mum, dad and one-year-old Bandit – friendly Dutch sheep, and Sue, the farm's solitary Kune Kune pig.

The Greenway Café is also expanding its menu for the holidays, adding chips, loaded fries and sweet potato fries, although staff say the pulled pork remains its best-selling dish.

Summer events

Standalone Farm has lined up a full programme of themed activities throughout the holidays, including:

• 20-24 July: Science Boffins
• 27-31 July: Educational Encounters
• 4-8 August: Planetarium Experience
• 10-16 August: Down in the Woods, featuring forest craft activities

Each event will also include a dedicated Relaxed Session aimed at children with special educational needs, neurodivergent children and their families. These calmer sessions are free to attend, with visitors able to continue exploring the farm afterwards.

Summer Pass and launch offer

Families planning multiple visits can also take advantage of Stan's Summer Pass, which costs £30 and provides unlimited entry for two adults and up to three children between 20 July and 31 August.

The pass also includes discounted event tickets, free tractor rides, special offers in the Greenway Café and gift shop, and a complimentary passholder handbook.

To celebrate the start of the summer holidays, Standalone Farm is also offering 50% off weekend entry for the first 500 tickets booked online.

With around 300 parking spaces, a brand new maze and a busy calendar of events, the farm is gearing up for one of its busiest summers yet, helped by neighbouring Bedfordshire schools breaking up earlier than those in Hertfordshire. Despite the recent dry weather leaving Pix Brook running noticeably low, the attraction is ready to welcome thousands of visitors over the coming weeks.