City farms near me: 10 to visit with the kids

City farms are a wonderful place to go to get a little spot of nature in the city. But, you may be asking what are the city farms near me; for when we are able to travel, but also to help celebrate along with them in the first ever City Farm Day on the 25th March, 2021.

There are more than 50 City Farms across the UK and we are taking a look at ten of the farms. More info about when they might open following Government guidelines can be found on their websites.

City Farm Day is designed as a celebration of the role that urban social and community focused farms play in connecting people to farming and bringing communities together.

Visitors, supporters and volunteers will be able to share what City Farms mean to them using the hashtag #cityfarmday on social media.

1. Bath City Farm

The Farm celebrated its 25^th anniversary last year and is a very popular place for families.  Set in 37 acres Bath City Farm has been farmed for hundreds of years, retains many of the original field names and has a 190-year-old beech tree avenue. There is a one-mile nature trail around the Farm which is ideal for families that takes in a bluebell wood, meadows and a pond.  At the heart of the Farm is the animals including the ever-popular goats, cows, ponies and hens.  The Farm has regular volunteers from gardening groups that support mental well-being to the Feathered Friends project which is for older people living on their own and two groups of youth volunteers that help around the Farm.  There is a new play area that will open in the spring and a small café.

For more information visit: www.bathcityfarm.org.uk

2. Balsall Heath City Farm in Birmingham

This little City Farm in the West Midlands opened in 1980 and is a real inner-city oasis providing families with access to animals that they otherwise might not see. It is a really special place for the local community and different generations have a connection to the Farm.  There are 50 animals that live on the Farm including goats, guinea pigs, a Farm cat, hens and sheep. You can also sponsor one of the animals.  There are also opportunities for educational visits for Nurseries, Schools, home-schoolers and other organised groups.  Access to the Farm is free for the community to visit.

For more information visit:  www.stpaulstrust.org.uk/city-farm/

3. Heeley City Farm in Sheffield

Founded in the 1980s Heeley City Farm is now a well-established community, not for profit charity and visitor attraction based on a working farm a mile from Sheffield City centre. Animals at the Farm include goats, pigs, horses, ferrets and rabbits. Staff and volunteers from Heeley City Farm work with young people, adults with learning disabilities and with local communities across Sheffield to promote regeneration, environmental education, energy efficiency and health and well-being. Horticulture trainees, staff and volunteers also manage organic vegetable gardens.

For more information visit: www.heeleyfarm.org.uk/

4. Kentish Town City Farm in London

The UK’s First City Farm, founded in 1972, is a charity based in the London Borough of Camden offering lifelong learning, outdoor therapy and education to children, adults with special needs and anyone needing respite from the strains of urban life. Like all City Farms there is a lively community of volunteers who support staff in the day-to-day running of the farm and organise seasonal fundraising events. Young people between 8 -16 years support farm activities through our popular Young Farmers Club. In the farm kitchen, children can learn to cook using fresh ingredients from our community gardens. The gardens provide opportunities for neighbourhood & therapeutic horticultural projects and for children to learn about wildlife & growing food.

For more information visit www.ktcityfarm.org.uk

5. Love Gorgie Farm in Edinburgh

This urban farm remains is free for visitors and its only two miles from the centre of Scotland’s Capital. The Farm’s education centre provides education services to children and young people, including animal and forest therapy, and engage with local communities on environmental programmes around farming and food production.  The Farm also has a foodbank and has reopened its social enterprise café, which helps it to engage further with the community.

For more information visit: www.lovegorgiefarm.org.uk

6. New Ark City Farm in Peterborough

For the last 40 years New Ark City Farm has been welcoming families – where connections to the animal and the importance of play really matter. There are opportunities for children to get to know farm birds, animals and small pets.  Children can also sponsor and name an animal at birth and can take eggs home from the farm birds: a trained worker helps them to care for the creatures. Families are encouraged to volunteer for feeding and caring duties outside normal opening hours. New Ark is the only City Farm in the East of England and has a strong passion for the importance of the child’s right to play as a great way to learn about the world, themselves and other people.

For more information visit: www.newarkplay.co.uk

7. Rice Lane City Farm in Liverpool

Rice Lane City Farm begin life 40 years ago.  The Farm occupies the site of the old Walton cemetery where we have 24 acres of fields and woodland. It’s a popular place to visit for families from across the city and you’ll fine many of the usual farmyard animals including some rare breeds such as Ryeland sheep, Redpoll cattle and African pygmy goats. One of the Farms newest family members is Ping, an Indian crested runner duck. The woodland walk is a great opportunity to see and hear wildlife that you might not encounter elsewhere in Liverpool and all the paths on the site are wide enough for wheelchairs and buggy’s, please be aware though that some paths are unmade so can be a bit muddy in bad weather.

For more information visit: https://ricelanecityfarm.co.uk/

8. Spitalfields City Farm in London

This 1.3-acre city farm that is nearest to the city’s square mile and sited on a former railway goods depot. The farm was started in 1978 in response to local people’s demand for allotments, having lost theirs to developers. With a long east end tradition of backyard farming and it wasn’t long before animals appeared on the scene. You’ll find sheep, geese, ducks, rabbits and donkeys, among the family of animals. Gardening is also an important part of life on the Farm – keeping it wild with wildflowers that are good for bees and butterflies and growing veg that you can buy from our Farm shop. The Farm is easily accessible by bike and public transport.

For more information  visit: www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org

9. St Werburgh’s City Farm in Bristol

St Werburghs City Farm connects people through land, nature and food. The Farms activities include accredited gardening placements for adults with learning disabilities, animal husbandry courses for inner-city children, woodland mindfulness for adults experiencing poor mental health and conservation courses for people looking to develop new skills and connections. The Farm aims to get children outdoors, discovering where food comes from, the wildlife on our doorstep and the fun to be had outside. There is also a fantastic discovery trail around the Farm which is ideal for families and seasonal events through the year.

For more information visit: www.swcityfarm.co.uk

10. Swansea Community Farm in Wales

Swansea Community Farm is an award-winning community led charity set in 3.5 acres in Swansea. It’s the only City Farm in Wales and host a range of farm animals including geese, goats and bees, and there are also allotments, wildlife areas where children can get closer to the nature world, beehives producing tasty honey and a café. The farm exists to improve wellbeing, build skills and create a sense of belonging and visitors come from across South Wales.

For more information visit: www.swanseacommunityfarm.org.uk/

Why not check out some of the other travel content we have on KiddyCharts for when things open up in the UK and beyond again?

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Thanks so much for coming to visit us.

Helen

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