One of the best ways to escape the hustle and bustle of busy London life is by heading to one of the city's urban farms. Believe it or not, farms are dotted all over the capital, in places you might not even realise, from Stepney and Hackney to Kentish Town and Crystal Palace. Each farm offers a totally different experience; you can feast on homegrown, seasonal produce at Stepney City Farm or get to know the animals that call Belmont Farm their home. Here's our list of the top city farms to reconnect you with some much-needed time in nature.
Guide to city farms in London
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The best city farms in London
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1Mudchute Park and Farm A working farm with seasonal events
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2Deen City Farm Afforable horse-riding lessons
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3Hackney City Farm A farm in the heart of Hackney
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4Hounslow Urban Farm Exotic animals and rare breeds
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5Surrey Docks Farm Become a beekeeper for the day
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6Kentish Town City Farm The UK's first ever urban farm
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7Stepney City Farm For homegrown, seasonal food
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8Woodlands Farm Trust Ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows
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9Freightliners City Farm A place to escape the city
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10Crystal Palace Park Farm Get to know a working farm
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11Belmont Farm Take a ride on a tractor
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The best city farms in London
A working farm with seasonal events
Get up close to a variety of British rare breeds at the community charity Mudchute Park and Farm, located on 32 acres of breathtaking English countryside. Come along to see a working farm in person or get stuck into the educational activities and seasonal events taking place across the year.
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Pier Street, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets
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Website
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Mudchute Park and Farm
020-751 559 01 - Read more on Thatsup
Afforable horse-riding lessons
Learn all about the natural environment and where your food comes from at Deen City Farm, an urban farm in Merton. They're all about education here, focusing on teaching the local community about rural farm life. They also have a horse-riding school that offers affordable lessons to the general public.
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39 Windsor Ave, Wimbledon/Merton
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Website
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Deen City Farm
020-854 353 00 - Read more on Thatsup
A farm in the heart of Hackney
Get up close to adorable farmyard animals at Hackney City Farm, located right around the corner from Columbia Road Flower Market. This small community charity invites the public to experience authentic farm life by meeting with the animals, from donkeys, chickens, pigs, goats and more, as well as hosting a range of educational workshops on the topic of food, farming, and the natural world.
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1A Goldsmiths Row, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets
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Website
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Hackney City Farm
020-772 963 81 - Read more on Thatsup
Exotic animals and rare breeds
Hounslow City Farm is where it's at if you want to get up close with various farm animals and rare breeds. They have everything from African leopard tortoises to barn owls and even a range of snakes.
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Faggs Road, Hounslow
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Website
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Hounslow Urban Farm
020-883 196 58 - Read more on Thatsup
Become a beekeeper for the day
This working city farm and charity is spreading the word about farming, food production, and the natural environment in a hands-on and accessible way. They offer all kinds of experiences, from beekeeping taster sessions to animal experiences.
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Rotherhithe St, South Wharf
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Website
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Surrey Docks Farm
020-723 110 10 - Read more on Thatsup
The UK's first ever urban farm
Kentish Town City Farm, founded back in 1972, is the UK's first-ever city farm. The farm offers a safe space to learn all about urban farming and the natural environment whilst also encouraging animal visits from the general public.
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1 Cressfield Cl
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Website
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Kentish Town City Farm
020-791 654 21 - Read more on Thatsup
For homegrown, seasonal food
This space is not only a working farm but also home to the Allotment Kitchen, a café serving a seasonally-inspired menu using homegrown produce from the farm. But aside from the excellent food, there's also a plethora of events taking place throughout the week, from yoga to farmers' markets.
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Stepney Way, Tower Hamlets
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Website
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Stepney City Farm
020-779 082 04 - Read more on Thatsup
Ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows
Explore acres of ancient woodland, wander through wildflower meadows, and watch as hundreds of native butterflies flutter around you at Woodlands Farm Trust, a beautiful working farm on the outskirts of the city. Here you can meet plenty of farm animals, as well as explore the 39 acres of never-ending landscape, which is equivalent to 50 football pitches.
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341 Shooters Hill
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Website
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Woodlands Farm Trust
020-831 989 00 - Read more on Thatsup
A place to escape the city
This charity-based community space in the heart of Islington welcomes the general public to come and escape the hustle and bustle of busy city life. They have a fantastic volunteering scheme that aims to improve individuals' mental and physical health, whilst also reconnecting city dwellers with much-needed time in nature.
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Sheringham Road
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Website
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Freightliners City Farm
020-760 904 67 - Read more on Thatsup
Get to know a working farm
Crystal Palace Park Farm is an educational farm located within the leafy Crystal Palace Park in London. This family-friendly farm is ideal for visitors of all ages, focusing on introducing them to various farm animals and the joys of rural life right in the heart of the city. From goats and sheep to rabbits and poultry, the farm provides an opportunity for hands-on interactions with animals and a chance to learn about farming and animal care.
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Ledrington Road, Bromley
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Take a ride on a tractor
It's all about education at Belmont Farm in North London, where you can learn all about farm life and the food you consume. You can spend the day getting to know a range of farmyard animals and exotic animals, or keep it chill on a tractor ride through the farm.
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The Ridgeway, Barnet
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Website
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Belmont Farm
020-731 844 21 - Read more on Thatsup