London's City Farms

Deen City Farm

The Deen City Farm spreads over five acres of land in the London borough of Merton. The farm runs a volunteer scheme for people to be part of a rural experience and learn how to look after animals and plants. Unusual animals include Milo and Kimby the alpacas and a snow-white peacock called Derek. The farm also has a riding school.

Freightliners City Farm

As well as a range of farm animals, Freightliners City Farm has an ornamental garden filled with flowers, plants and herbs. If you want to try out your green fingers, you can join in with the weekly gardening club on Wednesday afternoons. The farm grows fruit and vegetables for sale throughout the year. It also has beehives producing honey and beeswax.

Hackney City Farm

The geese, turkeys, ducks, chickens, sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs and donkey all love to have visitors. Hackney City Farm is a friendly place with a good value Italian café and deli with an outdoor summer terrace. All sorts of activities are on offer, including regular pottery, craft and textiles workshops.

Hounslow Urban Farm

Meet the farm animals close up at Hounslow Urban Farm, and watch feedings taking place at 3.30pm every day. The farm has a children's playground and picnic area and its own shop where you can buy the farm's free range eggs.

Kentish Town City Farm

Lots of farmyard and wild animals live on site at Kentish Town City Farm. Children can help feed, muck out and look after the animals and ride the ponies at weekends. The farm has a busy activity programme during school holidays and runs annual events such as May Day and Apple Day.

Mudchute Farm

The steep grassy hills, wooded glades and grazing fields of Mudchute Farm are a refreshing oasis in the concrete world of the Isle of Dogs. The city farm houses lots of animals including llamas and has a riding school that offers group and private lessons. You can pick up nature trail leaflets and the Muddie News (the farm's newsletter) at the shop. The space is also great for family walks and picnics.

Spitalfields City Farm

Just a stone's throw away from Brick Lane is Spitalfields City Farm. This city farm's "adopt-an-animal" scheme is a great way to support the farm - and to find an unusual birthday present for the person who has everything! Volunteering opportunities including a Young Farmers Club drop-in on Saturdays and the farm shop sells free range eggs and seasonal vegetables and herbs.

Stepping Stones Farm

Stepney's Stepping Stones Farm is open to visitors daily. The range of animals includes Shetland ponies, goats, sheep, cows and ducks. There's also a pond where you can spot frogs and tadpoles.

Surrey Docks Farm

Laid out on the site of an 18th century shipyard, Surrey Docks Farm boasts landscaped herb, physic, vegetable and fruit gardens. Café Nabo on site offers healthy food. As well as the regular farmyard animals, look out for a group of bronze sculptured animals that can be found on the riverfront.

Vauxhall City Farm

Providing a little bit of countryside between the busy streets and high-rise buildings, Vauxhall City Farm is home to horses, sheep, chickens, guinea pigs and other animals. Volunteers run the farm and help is always welcome. The city farm also contains a grassy spot for picnicking.