SNOW cover created an unusual springtime opening at a popular farm attraction in Witney.

The team at Cogges Manor Farm made the most of the wintry weather by focussing on warming activities like cooking soup and bread in the farmhouse kitchen.

Many families in the town braved the weather and took to the farm – which was made all the more picturesque under a blanket of snow.

Events manager at Cogges Kim Hall said the snow did ruin her springtime marketing – but she was happy to roll with nature’s punches.

She said: “I think we had snow once before at our opening, but that was about four years ago.

“Our volunteers had gone to so much effort to get everything ready and we knew about the weather so the team did what they could to ensure those who came could stay warm.”

Volunteers and visitors came together in the kitchen in the Manor House on Saturday to mark St Patrick’s Day by making potato and leek soup and soda bread.

The weather did have an impact on numbers but Ms Hall said many refused to let a bit of snow prevent them from visiting their home way from home.

She continued: “We still had a really good number of people come through the door. We’ve got really good support in Witney and it’s always quite a big deal when we reopen.

“For a lot of people it’s like their outdoor home. The children know the animals by name so it’s nice for them to come back and see them.”

Though the weather was poor, some of the animals still had an outing.

Guests were able to say hello to the Cogges piglets and a group of popular goats.

Ms Hall said adapting to weather was something the farm did well.

She said: “We’re a farm and we’ve been farming on this site for 1,000 years, so we’re used to managing different weather conditions.”

With hopes of celebrating springtime at the opening dashed, Ms Hall now has to look to the coming weeks.

Popular children’s musician Nick Cope will return to Cogges on Good Friday as part of the farm’s Easter celebrations.

In the following days there will be Easter trails, chocolate egg decorating, more cooking and other crafty sessions.

For more information about what’s on go to cogges.org.uk.

Cogges Manor Farm, a 13th century manor house coupled with 17th century buildings, is steeped in rich history. The farm appears in the Domesday Book of 1086.