Burgrain Farm: One of Switzerland's Best Family Days Out
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
We found an amazing farm experience for the whole family to enjoy.
On Saturday we visited Burgrain, a fantastic agricultural and food production experience in Alberswil, Canton Lucerne.
We parked the car and were immediately under the charm of this beautiful place. The site has the feel of a little village with a café and restaurant, farm, museum and shop.
What immediately stood out to us was how accessible the entire site felt. Burgrain is a certified OK:GO destination and has worked hard to make the experience welcoming for visitors with disabilities. With Elio’s wheelchair we were able to access almost all areas comfortably, making this a genuinely inclusive family outing.
We began by consulting the map and followed the path which led behind the restaurant to a playground and our first encounter with some animals. The great thing about this place is that it’s accessible for everyone so we could easily access almost everywhere with Elio and he was happy to find himself face to face with some gorgeous pigs while Alba went to explore the playground.
As we continued exploring we discovered more of Burgrain's animals including chickens, horses and the fascinating bee area which quickly became one of the highlights of our day.
The site is sprawling and it would be easy to miss things so it's important to take the time to discover every aspect, follow all the paths and stop often to take in the things around you.
From the playground we followed the path around to the cowshed where we were fortunate to find the cows during feeding time. There is even a platform where you can observe them from above which is very cool. Along the various walking paths we also discovered chickens, horses and plenty of opportunities to learn more about farming and food production. Every path seemed to reveal something new.
Next we headed through the natural garden and its “snack hedge” which is full of edible fruits and berries. There is also an area where you can grill your own food (you can buy a log onsite) and plenty of space for picnics. It’s a lovely place to linger and enjoy learning about the things growing around you.
Exploring the Interactive Museum and Bee Exhibition
The path led us up towards the museum. We learned that there are two exhibitions at the moment, one concerning food waste and the other all about bees. We spent most of our time in the bee area where we learned about their lives and the production of honey. We could observe the bees ourselves and the children became very invested in identifying the Queen who was marked with a blue dot. We tasted lots of delicious honeys which were made on site (making a note to ourselves to buy some from the shop) and we enjoyed comparing notes on which was our favourite.
Across the path there is a huge hangar containing historical agricultural vehicles. I loved looking at the ancient carriages and Alba made it her mission to try and find the oldest piece of machinery in the place.
The museum itself is modern and very interactive. Make sure you collect your tablet and headphones when you get your tickets. I won’t spoil it by explaining everything but the children loved it, especially the ladders ;-). You can pause here to have a coffee and a snack and the little courtyard outside was lovely on a sunny day.
We took a detour so that Jude and Alba could try the zip line while Jean and I took a peaceful stroll through the gardens with Elio.
Enjoying Lunch at Burgrain's Organic Restaurant
Our next stop was the organic restaurant which favours Burgrain’s own products for its dishes as well as a selection of carefully chosen regional producers from the surrounding area. Much of what is served comes directly from the farm itself, including products from their own dairy, wood-fired bakery and meat manufactory.
The food was delicious, with bread made in their own bakery. They also make their own dairy products using milk from cows which are fed exclusively on grass from their organic pastures, and produce meat without nitrate curing salts so we had no doubt that the food was going to be delicious. And it was. Fresh and full of flavour, we all demolished our plates.
One thing we particularly appreciated was how much there is to discover beyond the main attractions. The network of walking paths encourages you to slow down, explore and enjoy the different areas of the farm at your own pace. It would be very easy to miss some of the hidden corners if you rushed through your visit.
Visiting the Burgrain Farm Shop
Our final stop was the farm shop which is packed full of food produced on site including meats, cheeses, dairy products, freshly baked bread from the wood-fired bakery and their delicious honey. You can also get some freshly made pasta, cakes and even plants. We couldn’t resist trying a homemade ice cream each before we left.
We absolutely loved our visit to Burgrain! Burgrain is one of the most unique family attractions in Lucerne for families interested in farming, animals and local food. As the children get older it is becoming harder to find destinations which keep everyone happy but Burgrain really ticked all the boxes. Even Jude who is becoming cynical about family outings admitted that he had a great day.
It’s a must-visit if you find yourself in the area. Whether you're interested in animals, nature, sustainable food production, great food or simply spending quality time together as a family, Burgrain really delivers.
And whatever you do, don’t forget to buy some honey!
