Martyn's Law for Farm Parks: How family leisure attractions and farm parks need to prepare for new terrorism legislation
Looking for help understanding Martyn’s Law for Farm Parks? On this page you’ll find as much information as we could gather in early May 2026 – please do double check on Government websites for an update!
You may have heard Martyn’s Law mentioned in the news, in local authority briefings, or via industry bodies, and wondered whether it applies to farm parks, attractions, and seasonal events.
The short answer is yes, in many cases it does. And if it applies to you, there is a window to become compliant.
This article breaks down what Martyn’s Law means in plain English, how it applies to farm parks, what you need to do to comply, and how you can go a step further to protect your visitors, staff, and reputation.
What is Martyn’s Law?
Martyn’s Law (formally known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act) is designed to improve public safety by requiring venues to prepare for and mitigate the risk of terrorist incidents.
It was introduced following the Manchester Arena attack and is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims. The intention isn’t to turn venues into fortresses; it’s to ensure that organisations welcoming the public – like farm parks – have proportionate, sensible plans in place.
Importantly: Martyn’s Law for farm parks is not optional guidance. It is legislation.
Is Martyn’s Law already “in”?
Yes, though it’s not yet legally enforceable (at the time of writing). The law was passed on April 3rd 2025, and affected organisations are now in the implementation phase.
If your premises fall within scope, you have until April 2027 to comply. The Government’s factsheet is currently a little vague about the exact date (see below), though best practice would obviously be to comply sooner rather than later.
“There will be a period of time prior to the implementation of the legislation, i.e. when it will come into force. We expect this period to be at least 24 months from 3 April 2025 to allow for the set-up of the regulator and to ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations before they come into force, being able to plan and prepare accordingly.” – The Home Office
Really, now is the time to:
- Understand where you sit
- Identify gaps
- Put practical measures in place
Does Martyn’s Law apply to farm parks?
For many farm parks, yes. Particularly those that:
- Welcome large numbers of visitors at the same time (different rules apply for 200-799 visitors and 800+)
- Host ticketed or seasonal events (pumpkin patches, Christmas experiences, fireworks, festivals)
Have cafés, play areas, barns, or enclosed spaces - Run school visits, corporate events, or private hire
Martyn’s Law is based on capacity, not business type (here’s what the Home Office’s fact sheet says):
Premises that satisfy the following four criteria fall within scope of the Act:
- There is at least one building (or the premises are in a building);
- The premises are wholly or mainly used for one or more of the uses specified at Schedule 1 to the Act, e.g. a restaurant or a shop;
- It is reasonable to expect that at least 200 individuals may be present at least occasionally; and
- The premises are not excluded under Schedule 2 to the Act
If 800 or more individuals may be expected, the premises will be an enhanced duty premises unless the Act says otherwise.
An event that satisfies the following criteria fall within scope of the Act:
- It will take place at premises within section 3(1)(a) of the Act, including land without buildings, that are not enhanced duty premises (or part of enhanced duty premises);
- The relevant premises are accessible to members of the public for the purpose of the event;
- It is reasonable to expect that there will be at least 800 individuals present for the event at once at some point during it;
- There will be measures to check entry conditions are met, such as a ticket checks; and
- The event is not excluded under Schedule 2 to the Act.
That means open-air attractions can fall within scope if:
- There is defined land
- Entry is managed or ticketed
- You host events drawing significant footfall
If you run a quiet pick-your-own site with low numbers, your obligations may be lighter. If you’re running busy seasonal events with thousands through the gate, your responsibilities will be higher.
The two Martyn’s Law tiers that farm parks need to understand
Martyn’s Law for farm parks (and everyone!) operates on a tiered approach, designed to be proportionate:
Standard Tier (200-799 daily visitors)
Typically applies to venues with 200-799 capacity.
Most smaller to mid-sized farm parks fall here.
You’ll need to:
- Designate a person responsible for standard duty
- Understand the risks
- Have appropriate plans and procedures for public protection
- Train staff appropriately
- Notify the SIA of your premises
- More detailed risk assessments
- Formalised plans to reduce vulnerability of the premises
- Formalised plans to reduce the risk of harm being caused to individuals in the event of an attack on site or nearby
- Measures for monitoring risk at the premises and immediate vicinity
- Stronger evidence of preparedness
What do farm parks actually need to do to comply with Martyn’s Law?
The law is still being developed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Martyn’s Law for farm parks guidance is limited, but there’s some clear direction in place already.
This isn’t about armed guards or metal detectors. It’s about readiness, awareness, and sensible planning to cover:
- Evacuation
- Invacuation
- Lockdown
- Communication
Once guidance has been published, farm parks will have more clarity on what exactly needs to be done. But there’s no harm in getting a headstart on implementation – for the safety of your customers and staff (and for reducing your future workload!). You’ll most likely be working through:
1. Risk awareness
- Understanding the types of threats that could affect crowded places
- Considering peak times, bottlenecks, entrances, cafés, barns, queues, and car parks
2. Simple, documented plans
Written procedures covering:
- What staff should do if something feels wrong
- How to respond to an incident
- How to communicate with visitors
- How to support emergency services
3. Staff training
Your team should:
- Know how to spot suspicious behaviour
- Understand escalation routes
- Feel confident about what to do in an emergency
This includes seasonal and temporary staff; a big one for farm parks. So be prepared to put a decent chunk of training time into Martyn’s Law ahead of every seasonal event.
Be prepared to put a decent chunk of training time into Martyn’s Law ahead of every seasonal event.
4. Clear Responsibilities
Someone will need to “own” Martyn’s Law internally at your farm park:
- Who maintains the plan?
- Who updates it for events?
- Who briefs new staff?
5. Evidence
You may need to show:
- That plans exist
- That training has happened
- That risks are reviewed
Think of it like fire safety or food hygiene; documentation matters!
Going the extra mile with Martyn’s Law for farm parks
Compliance is the baseline. But farm parks that go further can gain greater benefits:
- Better Visitor Confidence
Parents, schools, and group organisers care deeply about safety; even if they never ask directly.
- Stronger Event Planning
Thinking about crowd flow, pinch points, signage, and staffing improves guest experience, not just security.
- Reduced Operational Stress
Clear plans mean calmer responses when something unexpected happens; medical incidents, lost children, weather issues, or evacuations.
- Reputation Protection
In the event of any incident, being able to demonstrate preparedness protects your brand and your business.
Many farm parks and leisure attractions will find that once they start, Martyn’s Law planning naturally feeds into:
- Event ops plans
- Staff handbooks
- Risk assessments
- Insurance conversations
Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it
Martyn’s Law isn’t designed to catch farm parks out. It’s designed to raise standards in a proportionate, realistic way. Regulators will expect:
- Awareness
- Action
- Progress within the one-year window
If you haven’t started thinking about Martyn’s Law for farm parks yet, now’s the right time.
Need help thinking beyond compliance?
Compliance keeps you safe, smart planning helps you grow.
If you’d like help:
- Improving visitor flow and capacity management…
- Marketing your seasonal events more effectively…
- Turning safety planning into smoother, more profitable operations…
- Understanding who your audience really is and reaching more of them…
- Boosting your marketing budget and bringing more customers into your farm park…
…Please don’t hesitate to get started by booking a free 30-minute Business Growth Call with our farm park marketing experts.
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