Welcome to my guide for the best kids farms near London.
Trips to farms is one of those things I didn’t quite realise I’d spend so much time doing after having children, especially living in London. Yet here we are. My 2 year old loves all things farms: Animals. Tractors. Mud. Trees. Farmers. The list goes on…
Because we live in London, I do feel a sense of guilt that my little ones aren’t getting exposed to the fresh air and outdoor activities they would have if we lived in the countryside. It goes without saying that being outside provides children with hands on learning experiences, allows them to develop a love of nature and encourages physical activity – which is even more important since the lockdowns of the past few years.
Emphasising animal welfare in children’s education and farm experiences is also super important- it teaches them compassion, care and responsibility. Having the opportunity to visit local farms is something I deem to be really important for my kids, and it’s great that they love it as well as learn from the experience. Luckily in and near London there are some great family and children’s farms. These farms offer a lovely escape into nature where children can interact with animals, learn about farming, and get outside.
Most of the farms we have visited also have great coffee shops too, bonus!
1. The Top Children’s Farms Near London: Bocketts Farm
Location: Leatherhead, Surrey
What I love:
Bocketts farm is a wonderful place for children and they have a great time and learn at the same time. Set in the beautiful countryside in Surrey, Bocketts is a working family farm where children can get up close and interact with lots of different friendly animals including goats, sheep, llamas and ponies. Children can do hands on activities like feeding the animals, grooming the ponies and although we’ve never been lucky enough I’ve heard if you’re there at the right time you can see live births during lambing season!
As you enter you’ll reach a cafe and indoor play barn with giant slides (I didn’t think the 9 month old was suitable for these but the 2 year old loved it) and an outdoor adventure playground with jumping pillows which were a hit with our family. There are tractor rides, pig racing and seasonal events like the Easter egg hunt and pumpkin picking so Bocketts really does give you a fun, safe and memorable day out for the whole family. When you’re ready to leave there’s even a farm shop at the exit where you can buy eggs, honey and other farm products which is another way to support Bocketts!
2. Hobbledown Heath
Location: Hounslow, West London
What I love:
The only way I can describe Hobbledown Heath is as a zoo-farm-adventure park. They also claim to have West London’s largest indoor play barn. Literally kid heaven. When you enter you’ll find four themed villages all inspired by a fantasy world. There are massive wooden climbing towers, underground tunnels and aerial walkways, all designed to spark creativity and adventure play.
Children can explore the magic Hobbling Village, and meet and interact with an array of farm animals including more exotic ones like meerkats and lemurs. If you’re looking for some hands on fun, definitely head to the animal barns. One of the main attractions there is a petting zoo where children can feed and touch the animals.
Hobbledown’s combination of adventure play, wildlife, and immersive storytelling makes it such a great place to visit and we love going there! It’s simply a place where children let their imaginations run wild.
Hobbledown has loads of seasonal events, along with workshops throughout the year. This isn’t one to miss!
P.s. They also have a rainy day guarantee where if the rain affects more than an hour of your visit you get a voucher to return for 50% off.
3. Godstone Farm
Location: Godstone, Surrey
What I love:
Godstone Farm in Surrey is somewhere I love to go because of how ‘hands on’ little ones can be with the animals. There are loads of opportunities to pet and feed the goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens and I’ve taken some lovely photos for the family album here. Like many of the other farms, they think of everything and it’s not just about meeting animals here. If your children need to also let of a little steam with a run-around before the car journey home, there’s an indoor play barn too. Godstone Farm is great for seasonal activities -perfect for all the school holidays. They do easter egg hunts in Spring, and pumpkin picking in the Autumn.
Depending on when you visit, you might be able to get involved in one of the animal handling sessions where children can learn about and hold smaller animals in a safe environment. The combination of interactive animal encounters, play zones and seasonal events means Godstone Farm is a fun and educational experience, where young children can fosters a real love of nature and animals.
4. Hounslow Urban Farm
Location: Feltham, Middlesex
What I love:
Hounslow Urban Farm is one of London’s largest community farms a great day out for families. You’ll find animals including pigs, goats, cows, rabbits and exotic birds here. Children can take part in hands on animal feeding sessions where they can help feed and pet the animals and interactive animal encounters where they can learn about the different species and their care.
The farm also hosts fun events like pig racing and owl flying demonstrations. A good mix of fun and education! The farm has play areas, tractor rides and regular craft workshops so plenty of opportunities for active and creative play. With animal interactions, educational experiences and recreational activities Hounslow Urban Farm is a day out to remember for children and will give them a real understanding of farm life.
5. Hackney City Farm
Location: Hackney, East London
What I love
Hackney City Farm in East London is a little urban gem where children can experience rural life bang in the middle of the city. Children can meet and interact with the animals including goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and donkeys . I also love the garden at Hackney City Farm. Here, kids can become mini gardeners! The farmers teach them about growing vegetables and herbs, and it helps them appreciate gardening and sustainability.
If you time it right, you can go along to one of the interactive workshops where they teach about farming, wildlife and the environment.
Side note- it’s also great for Sunday Brunch here! The trendy café Frizzante offers hungry Hackney folk fresh seasonal Mediterranean cuisine and farm breakfast!
6. Willows Activity Farm
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
What I love:
Willows is an award winning farm inspired by the characters of Beatrix Potter. Here you’ll find a Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, indoor play barn, daily shows and animal races. Willows Activity Farm in St Albans is a lovely destination for little ones, farm life, adventure play and interactive activities. This farm park is so busy and full of friendly animals including sheep, goats, ponies and rabbits. Children can take part in hands on experiences like feeding and petting. My favourite part of the farm (apart from the animals) has to be the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground where children can really let their imagination run wild and get lost in the world of Beatrix Potter.
The indoor soft play area is also great for climbing, sliding and exploring. That’s not all though… Willows has tractor rides, mazes and live shows with the Beatrix Potter characters. The farm also hosts regular events like lambing season, pumpkin picking and Santa’s Grotto over Christmas.
7. Belmont Children’s Farm
Location: Mill Hill, London
What I love:
A peaceful farm in the city, perfect for younger children. Belmont Children’s Farm has all the animals you’d expect: ponies, sheep, goats, rabbits and birds and some alpacas. You can go for tractor rides, pony feed the animals and at 9am every day visit the Jersey cows and their cow herders.
Belmont Children’s Farm encourages children to get up close and personal with the animals and learn about their care. They have feeding sessions where you can feed the animals under the supervision of the knowledgeable staff and animal handling sessions where children can touch and hold smaller animals.
Educational workshops and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts and Christmas activities make each visit different but always fun. With animal interactions, educational activities and outdoor play Belmont Children’s Farm is an enriching and memorable day out for children in a safe and welcoming environment.
8. Deen City Farm
Location: Merton Abbey, London
What I love:
Deen City Farm is a community project that combines urban farming with educational workshops. not too big but packs a punch! This farm has many species of livestock including duck hens, geese and rabbits. Food bags can be ordered from 50p and feeding is a fun and enjoyable activity I highly recommend it! Pony rides twice a week and owl flying at afternoons.
Top activities for little ones include feeding the animals, animal handling sessions and pony rides which are great for introducing kids to basic horsemanship. The farm also has a horse riding school where children can take lessons and learn to ride.
Deen City Farm also hosts regular educational workshops and seasonal events like craft sessions, gardening activities and festive activities so there’s always something new to do. Deen City Farm is a memorable and enriching experience for children to learn more about farm life and nature in the city.
9. Lee Valley Farm
Location: Waltham Abbey, Essex
What I love:
In the beautiful Lee Valley Regional Park this farm is perfect for a day out. The farm has many friendly animals including goats, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits and alpacas so plenty of opportunities for interactive experiences like feeding and petting. My favourite activities for little ones are the “Mini Farmers” sessions where they can help with daily farm tasks and Critter Corner where they can get up close and personal with smaller animals like guinea pigs and reptiles.
The farm also has a Dino Dig sandpit, tractor and trailer rides and an outdoor adventure playground with giant slides and climbing frames! As with the other farms Lee Valley farm hosts seasonal events like lambing weekends, pumpkin picking and Christmas activities. This is a great place to foster a love of animals and the outdoors.
10. Mudchute Park & Farm
Location: Isle of Dogs, London
What I love:
Across 32 acres of open parkland this community farm is one of London’s largest city farms and home to cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and alpacas and more so plenty of opportunities for children to interact and learn about different species. The farm also has a riding school where you can go for pony rides and horse riding lessons tailored for children.
Mudchute Park and Farm is a real urban farm and outdoor adventure within London and where children can learn about farm animals, sustainable farming and nature conservation. There are hands on animal feeding sessions where children can help care for the farm animals. And of course- a large adventure playground with climbing frames, swings and slides! If you time it right you can experience lambing days, Halloween trails and festive activities so each visit is different and fun.
11. Woodlands Farm Trust
Location: Isle of Dogs, London
What I love:
Woodlands Farm is a charity working city farm across 89 acres in East London. Woodlands Farm is a conservation and education project where you can learn about farming life and farm animals and experience the countryside in the middle of London. You can meet a wide range of animals including owls, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens and bees so plenty of opportunities for close up encounters and hands on activities. There are also native bird species, butterflies and wild flowers in the ancient woodlands. It’s such a peaceful urban setting.
Top activities for children include feeding the farm animals, animal handling sessions and exploring the farm’s nature trails that wander through meadows and woodlands. The farm also hosts educational workshops and seasonal events like lambing days, harvest festivals and Christmas fairs. The rural arts centre on the farm also runs classes and workshops to educate visitors about sustainable farming, nature conservation and farm animals. Kids will love the dedicated play areas where they can do nature themed crafts and games.
Planning Your Visit
Family and children’s farms offer so much more than just a day out. You’ve got the educational experiences, the fresh air and a lovely chance to get back to nature.
To make the most of your visit:
What to Bring:
- Comfy clothes, sunscreen, hats, snacks and a camera/phone to capture the moments.
Activity Planning:
- Check the farm’s schedule for feeding times, special events and shows.
Booking:
Many farms require booking in advance, especially for weekends and school holidays. Be sure to book ahead.
Talk to Staff:
Farm staff can teach your children loads of cool facts about the animals, and let you know about extra activities going on in the farm over your visit.
Round up of the best kids farms near London
So there you have it- multiple farmyard adventures for Londoners to keep the kids occupied this summer. Family and children’s farms offer so much more than just a day out. You’ve got the educational experiences, the fresh air and a lovely chance to get back to nature. And spend time with the gorgeous animals!