Just over halfway through the summer holidays, I found myself searching for fun and, crucially, low-cost activities to keep the kids entertained.
We'd already visited all the usual attractions and done rounds of our local parks. We'd also just returned from a caravan trip that ended up costing quite a bit.
So, I was on the hunt for something inexpensive and cheerful that would occupy the children for a morning or afternoon - ideally outdoors, away from screens.
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This place ticked every box. Despite living in Hull, I can't believe I've never taken my two little ones to the free community farm in East Hull before.
After a quick glance at the farm's website, I mistakenly thought we wouldn't be there long. I packed a picnic in the car, assuming we'd probably head to a park or somewhere else afterwards, reports Yorkshire Live.
Given it's free to enter, I didn't have high expectations of the farm as a tourist attraction. But I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. It was fantastic, and we spent nearly two hours there.
My two children, aged four and six, were the perfect age for a quaint place like this, and they were enthralled as soon as we walked in.
Unlike most farms which are situated in rural areas, East Hull Community Farm is nestled right in the heart of a housing estate. The farm provides work placements for adults with learning disabilities - another reason why I think this place is simply wonderful.
As soon as it dawned on me that we might be there for a while, I returned to the car to fetch our picnic. Did I mention the parking was free?
The farm is home to a multitude of chickens, two adorable piglets, some beautiful calves, a pair of donkeys, sheep, a lovely large cow named Daisy, and numerous rabbits and guinea pigs available for viewing and feeding.
In the quaint shop, you can purchase a bag of animal feed for a mere 20p, along with a small assortment of ice creams, crisps and other snacks. You can also get a cup of tea or coffee for just a pound.
So, equipped with two bags of animal feed and a coffee for myself, all costing less than £2, we embarked on our tour.
The children delighted in ticking off the various animals on a little activity sheet as they made their way around the farm, and they spent considerable time playing in the sandboxes and water play areas.
The farm is impeccably maintained and features fun and engaging artwork on the walls, as well as brightly painted picnic benches for lunchtime seating. Greenhouses encircle the main farm areas, where we could see hundreds of ripe-looking tomatoes growing.
Numerous informative signs about the different animals were scattered throughout the farm, and the children took great pleasure in interacting with and feeding all the small and large characters they encountered.
We also purchased a tray of flowers that were for sale on our way out, a lovely keepsake. I noticed you could also buy free range eggs which I would have bought too had I not already got plenty in the fridge at home.
For a fantastic couple of hours out which is fun, educational and extremely low cost, this place is the perfect trip out for little ones.
East Hull Community Farm can be found next door to Andrew Marvell school on Barham Rd.
