| London city farm visits- FREE |
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London’s city farms are community-managed projects that work with people, animals and plants. They are found throughout the capital and offer valuable access to green space and help build awareness of farming and gardening. Most city farms are FREE to enter, but do encourage charitable donations from the public.
BROOKS FARM See a wide range of animals including llamas and Shetland ponies. There’s also an aviary and rabbit warren. While other facilities include a wild garden, a café and picnic area. Tube: Leyton and Walthamstow Central, then number 69 or 97 bus
DEEN CITY FARM This community farm is on a five-acre site in Merton. Attractions include Alpacas, small animals including ferrets and guinea pigs, pigs, cows, sheep, goats and a range of birds. There is also a riding school, café and shop. Tube: Colliers Wood/South Wimbledon
FREIGHTLINERS CITY FARM Freightliners is a working farm with lots of animals and poultry. The farm also offers 14-19 year olds a chance to learn about honeybees, and even gain a qualification in beekeeping. Sessions are on Wednesdays, 2-4pm. No booking required, just drop by! Tube/BR: Highbury and Islington
HACKNEY CITY FARM The farm was established in 1984 and offers a programme of classes and events for families. The cafe serves award winning organic food. Animal attractions include a donkey, a goat, sheep, pigs and two Ayrshire calves. There are also a number of smaller furry friends including guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats and degus, and feathered friends such as geese, chicken, ducks and turkeys. Tube: Bethnal Green / BR: Cambridge Heath
HEATHROW SPECIAL NEEDS FARM Formerly called Spelthorne, this farm offers opportunities for people with disabilities to work with animals and plants. Tube: Hounslow West, then number 81 bus to Longford
HOUNSLOW URBAN FARM Formed in 1990, this farm houses a variety of colourful and unusual farm animals including five types of pigs, Exmoor ponies, 15 breeds of chicken, goats, rabbits, ducks, geese and lots more. There is also a cafe and interpretive centre. Tube: Hatton Cross, then number 90, 285 or 490 bus
KENTISH TOWN CITY FARM The first ever city farm was set up in 1972 on a four and a half acre site. Features include a picnic area, farm animals and a riding programme giving young people access to horses. There are also pony rides on Saturdays and Sundays. Tube: Kentish Town/Chalk Farm
MUDCHUTE PARK & FARM Mudchute makes up 55 per cent of the public green space on the Isle of Dogs. The site has steep grassy banks, wooded glades, grazing fields, hills and hollows and was created when silt from the construction of Millwall Dock was dumped. The farm houses a wide variety of animals, a riding school, nature trail, allotments, shop, education centre and cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. DLR: Mudchute
NEWHAM CITY FARM This farm has some exotic birds and a variety of animals, including rare breeds of cattle and shire horses. There is also a café and picnic area, and honey and eggs for sale DLR: Royal Albert
SPITALFIELDS CITY FARM This 1.3 acre farm was set up in 1978 on a former railway goods yard. Animals include goats, sheep, a donkey, a Shetland pony, a pig, loads of small and furry creatures, chickens and various waterfowl. Picnic area. Tube: Liverpool St, Whitechapel
STEPPING STONES FARM This working urban farm was set up in 1979 and is funded by Tower Hamlets. Home to a wide range of animals, there is also a small cafe, shop, and picnic area. Tube: Stepney Green/DLR: Limehouse
SURREY DOCKS FARM Situated on an 18th century shipyard, the farm hosts a range of animals including goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys and hens. The riverfront also features a herb garden and a sculptured group of bronze farmyard animals. Tube: Rotherhithe or Surrey Quays then number 381 or C10 bus
VAUXHALL CITY FARM Housing a wide range of animals, this central London farm also offers a riding centre, community vegetable and herb gardens, arts and crafts and picnic facilities. Guided tours available by arrangement. Tube/BR: Vauxhall
WELLGATE COMMUMITY FARM This 1.5-acre city farm was established in 1982 as a ‘growing place for groups and individual through: education, training, therapy and recreation’. It is home to a variety of animals including cows, sheep, goats, ponies, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. The farm also has a horticultural plot, a small conservation area, a classroom, a shop, a workshop, wheelchair-accessible pathways and a picnic area. Tube: Hainault, then number 247
WOODLANDS FARM This 90-acre former Co-op farm is now run by a charitable trust. Offering a unique landscape of ancient woodland, hedgerows, streams and winding fields still managed by a horse and cart team. Farm animals include ducks, geese, chickens, sheep, pigs, pony, goat and Dolly the cow. BR: Welling/Falconwood
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