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Have you ‘herd’ about all the animal farms in London? City Farms are popular in London with families, school groups and for volunteering but did you know you can even get married at some of these London Farms.
All of these animal farms in London are free to visit. Fom a riverside urban farm with a goat enclosure on the Thames to the oldest city farm in the UK, this our guide to 8 free animal farms in and around the city of London.
And remember, whilst these are all free urban animal farms in London, all of these city farms rely heavily on donations to keep them going to remain free – so please dig deep if you visit any of them; any amount will be gratefully appreciated.
Free Animal Farms in and around London
Table of Contents
1. Mudchute Park Farm, London
A day on the farm doesn’t necessarily need to take place outside of London.
You can see farm animals and other livestock at Mudchute Farm on the appropriately named Isle of Dogs, based over 30 acres of parkland. It is free to visit and there is also a cafe called Mudchute Kitchen where you can dine overlooking the stables and courtyard.
Set in a huge swathe of gloriously green parkland, it is hard to believe this animal farm is in the city of London, so close to the big skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
Mudchute Park and Farm has over 100 animals and rare breeds, including pigs, sheep, donkeys, llamas and wildfowl such as chickens, turkeys and geese.
As at February 2023, Mudchute Park and Farm is free to visit and open every day from 9am to 5pm (although the animals usually go inside from 3.30pm onwards).
Mudchute Park and Farm features in our ‘things to do in Canary Wharf and Docklands’ guide >
Address: Mudchute Park and Farm, Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3HP
2. Hackney City Farm Yard, London
A little bit of the country in East London, Hackney City Farm has all manner of farm animals including goats, sheep, horses and chickens.
As well as a paddock to graze in, there are several stable buildings you can visit, plus there is a cafe and a small shop selling organic produce.
Hackney City Farm Yard is lots of fun especially for a family. Our only advice (and this is true of any animal farms in London) would be to not wear nice shoes here – especially on rainy days as the ground can get quite messy with lots of mud and animal shi…sorry we mean poo.
Hackney City Farm is open every day of the week (except Mondays) between 10am and 4.30pm as at February 2023.
Address: Hackney City Farm Yard, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA
3. Oasis Farm Waterloo, London
An urban farm located close to St Thomas’ Hospital. Whilst this doesn’t have the space or scale of say Hackney City Farm or Mudchute Park and Farm, Waterloo Oasis Farm is a local and well loved farm located in the heart of the capital.
This urban London farm near the River Thames is particularly popular with school groups and families. Waterloo Oasis Farm also specialise in working with disadvantaged groups and are often on the look out for volunteers to help run and look after the animals.
Unlike other London city farms on this list, Oasis Farm Waterloo only opens twice a month to the public for their Volunteering days and Family Days listed here.
Oasis Farm is an animal farm in the city of London located near to Waterloo Station. Fun fact; Waterloo Oasis Farm is also available as a wedding venue – maybe the billy goats will catch the bridal wedding bouquet?
Address: Oasis Farm Waterloo, 18 Carlisle Lane, London SE1 7LG
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4. Surrey Docks Farm, London
A working city farm located close to the River Thames (with views of Canary Wharf), we discovered Surrey Docks farm quite by chance one winter when walking the Thames path from Deptford to Rotherhithe. It was incredible to see a city farm in London right on the river’s edge.
In fact Surrey Docks Farm also has a cafe (The Barn) looking out towards the river as well – so you could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon here.
One of the largest free to visit animal farms in London, Surrey Docks Farm is home to sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys and a pony. Plus in the school holidays, Surrey Dock Farm has a holiday club which teaches children about how to handle and look after animals (fees apply).
Surrey Docks Farm is free to visit and open every day from 10am to 4pm.
Address: Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe Street, South Wharf, London SE16 5ET
5. Vauxhall City Farm, London
Located on the outskirts of verdant Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Vauxhall City Farm is a hidden gem and a lovely free thing to do in London.
The farm and garden has animals such as sheep, pigs, goats and alpacas (plus the odd ferret and gerbil).
Vauxhall City Farm is free to enter and has a cute cafe, small gift shop and a riding school (all of which help to support and keep Vauxhall City Farm free admission).
Vauxhall City Farm is open Tuesday to Sundays 10.30am to 4pm as at February 2023.
Address: Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS
6. Kentish Town City Farm, London
The UK’s (and London’s) very first city farm, Kentish Town City Farm opened in 1972 and is located in Borough of Camden. Unlike a lot of other city farms, it is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.
Looking after and rehoming farm animals for over 50 years, Kentish Town City Farm also offers special therapeutic riding to those with special needs, an education programme for local school, a Young Farmers programme, plus work experience for students and those wanting to learn more about farm animals.
Animals at Kentish Town City Farm menagerie include Betty and Wilma the pigs, Jester the Horse and Roger The Rabbit (not that one!).
Address: Kentish Town City Farm, 1 Cressfield Close, London NW5 4BN
7. Spitalfields City Farm, London
A stone’s throw away from Brick Lane, the Spitalfields City Farm makes good use of a former railway siding and has a variety of farm animals to visit for free.
From giant Dutch rabbits to Beatrix the sheep, there are lots of farm animals to see at Spitalfields City Farm – and they are always on the lookout for new volunteers to help out and look after the animals.
Spitalfields City Farm and Gardens are only daily between 10am and 4pm as at February 2023. If you fancy a cuppa whilst on the farm, the Tea Hut is open from March to December, Tuesday to Sundays between 10am and 4pm. Cheers!
Address: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London E1 5AR,
Our final free animal farm in London…
8. Clissold Park Deer and Goat Enclosure, Stoke Newington
Ok, a bit of a cute curveball for our final entry on our ‘animal farms in London guide’ but did you also know you can see deer and goats for free in Stoke Newington?
Clissold Park in Stoke Newington is a popular Hackney hangout and a beautiful green space with 55 acres of park land, lawns and lakes, not to mention a deer park (yes, you read that right – there is a deer park in Stoke Newington)!
In the heart of the park amongst all the picnics and joggers, not only will you discover the beautiful Grade II listed Clissold House, but also the Clissold Park deer enclosure, an aviary and an area with goats – we ‘kid’ you not.
Address: Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, Green Lanes, London N16 9HJ
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