City Farms

Wherever you happen to live in London, the countryside is literally in your backyard; you'll be amazed to learn that there are 17 city farms and over 100 community gardens in London. Most are free to visit and offer you and your children the opportunity of enjoying nature at first hand. Many offer special holiday and weekend activities as well as regular horse riding lessons. Most of the city farms are charities so volunteers are always welcome. Check out www.farmgarden.org.uk for a complete list of London community farms and gardens or email london@farmgarden.org.uk for further information about setting up a garden near you.

The Woodlands Farm Trust

Nearest station: North Greenwich tube (Jubilee Line) or Blackheath mainline station; bus routes 486 and 89.

The Woodlands Farm Trust, an 89-acre farm, celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2007. Conservation projects include generating renewable energy via a wind turbine and solar panels. A project is underway to recreate a wetland area to encourage wildlife and re-establish wetland flora, and meadows are managed for floristic diversity. Crops in the heritage orchard include old London and Kentish varieties of apples, pears, cobnuts, quinces and medlars.

Livestock management also prioritises traditional breeds. The farm has a flock of Lleyn sheep, a Welsh hill breed, and in 2007 a bumper lambing season saw 49 ewes produce 98 lambs. There are flocks of free-range chickens, ducks and geese, and future plans include a herd of rare breed British White cows.

There is a full-time Education Officer, and facilities for schools include an Education Centre and a Dipping Pond, which are enjoyed by 5,000 schoolchildren each year. The farm is open to visitors daily, and special events include a Lambing Day at Easter, an agricultural show every summer, Apple Day in October and a Christmas Fair in November.

Spitalfields City Farm

Nearest Station: Shoreditch Tube
This 1.3 acre farm used to be a railway goods depot. It was turned into allotments in 1978, following pleas from the local community. In keeping with the East End tradition of backyard farming, animals soon started to appear on the allotments and now the site is a fully fledged farm with charitable status.

There's a shop selling farm produce, a picnic area, regular milking demonstrations with the goats, donkey rides on a Saturday, and special events organised all year.

Deen City Farm

Nearest Station: Colliers Wood Tube
Deen City Farm is home to some extraordinary animals. Nestling in the greenery of this 5 acre site lives Derek (a snow-white peacock), Milo and Kimby (two alpacas) and Magic (a Dexter cow), to name just a few.

This outdoor haven provides a programme of events and activities (including horse-riding) throughout the year, with a special scheme over Easter (booking essential). During the school holidays there are various clubs: the Discovery Club, Young Farmers and the Own A Pony Club.

Kentish Town City Farm

Nearest Station: Kentish Town Tube
A 4.4 acre working farm in the heart of Camden, Kentish Town City Farm has an active breeding program and thus holds an ever-changing range of animals, of which cows, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry form a permanent part. The farm should be teeming with cute and cuddly baby animals during the spring so be prepared to fall in love.

There's an amazing, organic, community gardening space which thrives with herbs, fruit and edible flowers. Groups of all kinds are welcomed and a range of tailor-made educational activities and tours for schools are on offer. There is disabled access to the farm, its main buildings and toilet.

Hackney City Farm

Nearest station: Bethnal Green tube
For over 18 years, Hackney City Farm has been giving the local community the opportunity to experience farming in the heart of the city.

Hackney City Farm boasts purpose made animal housing, craft workshops, well-established gardens and Frizzante@cityfarm, a cafe serving home made Italian dishes with an on site deli. The farm also hosts a number of craft activities including pottery, stone sculpture, music and movement and textile printing.

Hounslow Urban Farm

Nearest station; Hatton Cross station
Hounslow Urban Farm is London's largest community farm in the capital. It covers 29 acres and is an important educational resource and new leisure facility for all the family. Visitors can enjoy a variety of colourful and unusual farm animals close-up, including 5 types of pigs, Exmoor ponies, 15 breeds of chicken, goats, rabbits, ducks, geese and lots more.

Spelthorne Farm project for the handicapped

Very near to Heathrow airport - probably easiest to drive.
A farm which caters for people with disabilities. A vegetable garden and polytunnel where vegetables are grown. They also have a range of farm animals that their clients work with and they have 3 horses that they use for riding for the disabled.