Nationwide· 2 min read
Best Petting Farms & City Farms in the UK — 15 Hands-On (and Often Free) Days Out
City farms and petting farms where kids can meet animals up close — many of them free — from London's Mudchute to Edinburgh, Bristol and beyond.
Not every animal day out needs a big ticket price. Britain's city farms are one of its loveliest secrets — free (or donation-based), community-run, and packed with pigs, goats and chickens right in the middle of town. Here are 15 of the best petting and city farms.
London's free city farms
- Mudchute Park & Farm (Isle of Dogs) — the largest city farm in Europe, free, with cows, sheep and llamas under the shadow of Canary Wharf.
- Hackney City Farm and Vauxhall City Farm — free, characterful, and a genuine slice of countryside in the city.
Around the UK
- Windmill Hill City Farm (Bristol) — free, with pigs, goats and a lovely community café.
- Heeley City Farm (Sheffield) and Kentish Town City Farm (London) — free, hands-on and much-loved locally.
- Gorgie / Edinburgh Community Farm — the capital's free city farm, back and thriving.
Petting farms worth the ticket
Beyond the free city farms, dedicated petting farms (often part of larger farm parks) add bottle-feeding, small-animal handling and tractor rides for a small charge — a reliable win for under-5s.
Practical notes
City farms are free or donation-based, so bring cash for the box and the little shop — it's what keeps them running. Animal-handling and feeding sessions run at set times, so check the day's schedule and turn up for them. Bring hand gel (there's always a wash station, but it's handy), and wellies if it's been wet. Combine with the nearby park for a full, gentle, near-free day out.
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