Top 12 city farms for kids
If your kids are animal mad, you don't need to go into the countryside to get up close to cows. Here's our round up of 12 of the top city farms.
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Southern England
1 Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol
When: April - October 9am - 5pm, November - March 9am - 4pm
At Windmill Hill City Farm in Bristol, you can meet an array of pigs, sheep, goats and even pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. There is also a cosy cafe where you can stop for a drink and a play area to let off some steam.
2 Christmas Tree Farm, Bromley
When: March - October 10am - 5.30pm, November - February 10am - 4pm
Come and meet all of the animals at Christmas Tree Farm in Downe, Bromley.
You'll stroke goats, sheep, ponies, cows as well as rabbits, guinea pigs and alpacas. The large enclosures mean that the animals often have free roaming rights and you might well see animals visiting other pens.
Why not try a cream tea in the Tea Rooms afterwards?
3 Blackberry Farm Park, Lewes, East Sussex
When: Daily 10am - 5pm
Close to Lewes, Blackberry Farm Park is a great family day out. You'll be meeting and greeting pigs, goats, ponies, chickens and more.
There are also pony rides and tractor rides available.
Easterm England
4 Snettisham Park Farm, King's Lynn, Norfolk
When: Daily 10am - 4pm
Packed full of fun activities to get involved with, Snettisham Park Farm in King's Lynn is a thriving working farm.
You can feed lambs and calves, stroke and cuddle goats and pigs and ride ponies. There's even a 45 minute deer safari which you won't want to miss.
Midlands
5 Ash End House Children's Farm, Tamworth, Staffordshire
When: Daily 9.30am - 5pm
There are lots of friendly farm animals for your kids to meet at Ash End House Farm in Tamworth.
There are also some beautiful birds of prey that your children will love learning about as well as a tractor ride and bottle-feeding with some of the younger residents.
6 Gorse Hill City Farm, Leicester
When: Daily 10am - 4pm
There are over 100 animals including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, ponies, donkeys, rabbits and more at Gorse Hill City Farm in Leicester. You can buy some animal feed and get up close and personal with them too.
Northern England and Yorkshire
7 Reddish Vale Animal Farm, Stockport
When: Daily 11am - 4pm during school holidays and bank holidays and at weekends, Monday - Wednesday term time 11am - 3pm
Pick up a bucket of carrots and go and meet the animals at Reddish Vale Animal Farm in Stockport.
You'll see sheep, cows, pigs, horses, goats and rabbits and guinea pigs too. The staff will often get the smaller animals out for children to hold. There is also an outdoor play area, picnic tables and a tea room serving hot and cold food.
8 Tweddle Children's Animal Farm, Durham
When: March - October 10am - 5pm, November - February 10am - 4pm
At Tweddle Farm in Durham, it's all about farm fun. As well as plenty of animals to meet, there is also a large outdoor play area and two indoor play areas (one for under 5s and one for over 5s).
During holidays and on weekends, tractor and pony rides are also on offer.
9 Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Leeds
When: Daily 10am - 4pm
Meet the pigs, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, chicks and alpacas at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm.
Less than 2 miles from Leeds city centre, the farm sits on a variety of habitats so you might see lots of different wildlife, if you're quiet.
There is also a farm shop where you can pick up some delicious seasonal produce and plants.
Scotland
10 Gorgie City Farm, Edinburgh
When: March - October 9.30am - 4.30pm, November - February 9.30am - 4pm
Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh is quite small which means that children can get up close to the pigs, goats, sheep, cows and chickens and learn how the farm works.
During school holidays, children aged 8-12 can become Farmer's Helpers for a couple of hours where they'll do real work across the farm (booking required).
Wales
11 Clerkenhill Adventure Farm, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
When: Weekends and school holidays 10am - 5pm
So much more than your average farm. At Clerkenhill Adventure Farm in Haverfordwest, you can see ponies, sheep and goats, go on adventure trails or even try your hand at golf. If you're brave, you can venture into the Spooky Wood.
Enjoy a real Pembrokeshire farmhouse tea and slice of cake or settle down at the picnic area.
Northern Ireland
12 Streamvale Open Farm, Belfast
When: Monday - Saturday 10.30am - 5pm, Sunday 2pm - 5pm
For a relaxed educational farm experience, Streamvale Open Farm in Belfast is perfect. You'll learn all about pigs, sheep and cows as well as get close to baby bunnies.
There's also the chance to see the 300 dairy cows being milked every afternoon.
