As well as farmyard animals, many city farms offer petting zoos, gardens, children's activities and farm shops, where you can pick up fresh farm produce.
Best city farms in London
1. Deen City Farm
See poultry, horses, rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, cows and a special “pet” area at Deen City Farm, one of London’s oldest city farms. There's also a cafe, shop and even a riding school on the premise that you can access for a fee. Farm produce for sale includes eggs, and the shop also sells pet supplies and gifts.
Where: Merton (39 Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey, SW19 2RR)
2. Freightliners City Farm
Experience a working farm in action at Freightliners City Farm, a community farmland in the heart of Islington. Stop by to visit the animal village and see rare breed animals, plus check out the solar dome, straw bale building, bee hive and sensory garden.
Where: Islington (Sheringham Road, N7 8PF)
3. Hackney City Farm
Visit friendly Hackney City Farm to experience farming and learn about sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, calves and bees. Facilities include a farmyard, grazing area, garden, butterfly house and an alternative school where children can take part in a unique curriculum.
Where: Hackney (1A Goldsmiths Row, E2 8QA)
4. Kentish Town City Farm
Small but nonetheless amazing, Kentish Town City Farm was the first city farm to be established in the UK. Situated in Camden, you can enjoy pony rides and take the little ones to see the livestock, poultry and horses.
Where: Kentish Town (1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN)
5. Mudchute Farm and Park
Explore Mudchute Farm and Park, the largest urban farm in the London area, with 32 acres (12.9 hectares) of open parkland, in the heart of the Isle of Dogs. Take part in horse riding, see farm animals or discover an exceptional range of plants as you experience a different side of London.
Where: Isle of Dogs (Pier Street, E14 3HP)
6. Spitalfields City Farm
Stop by Spitalfields City Farm for a day of exploring and learning about animals, farm life and ways to get involved. Expect to find a range of animals, from horses and pigs to rabbits and sheep.
Where: Spitalfields (Buxton Street, E1 5AR)
7. Surrey Docks Farm
At Surrey Docks Farm, visitors can feed the calves, visit the animals and even purchase produce to feed them. Donkeys, horses and bees are just some of the many animals on the farm. Once there, stop by its wildlife garden, where more than 50 frogs visit each spring.
Where: Surrey Docks (Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5ET)
8. Stepney City Farm
A visit to Stepney City Farm, an urban working farm in Tower Hamlet, is the perfect family trip. Housing animals, including goats, pigs and ducks, visitors get a unique animal experience in central London. Expect to explore arts and crafts, educational activities such as dairy sessions, farm trails and sheep shearing.
Where: Stepney (Stepney Way, E1 3DG)
9. Vauxhall City Farm
Don’t miss a chance to meet the alpacas at Vauxhall City Farm, a conveniently located and popular city farm. Home to pigs, sheep, rabbits and ducks, it has an ecology area, herb and dye garden, a picnic area and a riding school for children and young people.
Where: Vauxhall (165 Tyers Street, SE11 5HS)
Best city farms near London
10. Belmont Children’s Farm
Take the little ones to see the animals at Belmont Children’s Farm, from traditional farm animals such as sheep and pigs, to typical countryside wildlife such as ducks and geese, to the more unusual storks and wallabies.
Where: Belmont (The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 1QT)
11. Bocketts Farm Park
Discover a working family farm set in the beautiful Surrey countryside and enjoy a host of fun activities, on a day trip to Bocketts Farm Park. Feed farm animals, take a pony ride, hop on board the tractor and trailer and cuddle cute rabbits all in the same day.
Where: Leatherhead (Young Street, Fetcham, KT22 9BS)
12. Hounslow Urban Farm
Meet cows, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, poultry, rabbits and ponies at Hounslow Urban Farm. An interactive farm, it also has a Soft Play Reflections Unit with music, smells and sounds specifically for visitors with disabilities.
Where: Feltham (Faggs Road, TW14 0LZ)
13. Wellgate Community Farm
Spend a day exploring Wellgate Community Farm, which is home to ponies, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. There's a small horticultural plot selling plants and vegetables, and fun activities for everyone, from beekeeping and "young farmers" guides to a nationally recognised vocational course in animal care.
Where: Romford (Collier Row Road, RM5 2BH)
For more inspiration on how to make the most of London’s green spaces, discover 101 things to do outdoors, find the capital’s favourite picnic spots, or wander off the beaten track at one of these tranquil oases.