Most children enjoy interacting with animals and most parents are familiar with London Zoo and the London aquarium, but not always aware of the large number of city farms and other animal attractions out there. Have a look at this next section to see if there is something near you! Give your child the chance to find out where the products we wear and consume come from.
Riverside organic farm with farm animals, donkeys, bees, a duck pond, vegetable garden. There are animal sculptures that kids enjoy climbing. Try buying a bag of goat food and get followed! Local honey for sale in the shop. Open: Tue-Thur 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun&School Hol 2pm-5pm Admission: free Tube: Canada Water+bus 225,381; Rivertaxi to Nelson Dock (zone 2) Address: Rotherite St, London, SE16 5EY Tel: (020) 7231 1010 Facilities: BA, C, DAR, WCD, WC, S
Brooks Farm
Rural life in an urban setting; community-based project with a support group made up of local people. Children’s Corner is an interactive area for kids and animals. There are also play and picnic areas are on sight. Open: Tue-Sun & Bank Hol 9.30am-4.30pm Admission: £1, free to Waltham Forest residents BR: Leyton Midland Road (zone 3) Address: Skeltons Lane Park, Leyton, London, E10 5BS Tel: (020) 8539 4278 Facilities: DA, WCD, WC
Stepping Stones Farm
The 4.5 acre has a full range of farm animals, a shop and a café where a variety of home-produce can be purchased and consumed. There’s also a safe and secure Under 5s drop-in centre, play area, pond, picnic area and an activity room stocked with arts and crafts material. Open: Tue-Sun, Bank Hol 9.30am-6pm/dusk Admission: free Tube: Stepney Green; DLR: Limehouse; Bus: 15,15A (zone 2) Address: Stepney Way, London, E1 3DG Tel: (020) 77908 204 Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Spitalfields City Farm
This farm is situated on a former railway goods depot. See chickens, rabbits and geese as well as a drop-in group for under 5's, milking demonstrations, donkey rides and shop. Open: Tue-Sun, 10am-4pm Admission: free Tube: Whitechapel (zone 1) Address: Weaver St (off Pedley St), London, E1 5HJ Tel: (020) 7247 8762 Website Facilities: BA, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Work in the visit to Spitafiled City Farm with a trip to Old Spitafields Market (see markets & shops).
Newham City Farm
A wide collection of farm animals, including a number of rare breeds, a visitor’s centre, bee keeping, paddocks and picnic areas and educational facilities. Experience how a real farm works! Open: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm Admission: free DLR: Royal Albert (zone 3); Bus: 276, 300 from Stratford tube (zone 3) Address: King George Avenue, Custom House, London, E6 3HR Tel: (020) 7476 1170 Website Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC
Mudchute City Farm
Covering some 35 acres, this is London’s largest city farm, with barnyard animals, llamas, a pets corner, café and horse riding. Open: Daily 9am–4pm Admission: free Tube: Canary Wharf +DLR Island Gardens (zone 2) Address: Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, London, E14 3HP Tel: (020) 7515 5901 www.mudchute.org Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Kentish Town City Farm
Delightful farm on 4.5 acres with livestock consisting of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and horses. Several gardens and a pond complement this slice of countryside in London. Riding programme provides access to horses at affordable rates. Can be tricky to find, so take a map.
Open: Tue-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm Admission: free, but a small charge for some kids activities Tube: Kentish Town; BR: Gospel Oak Address: 1 Cressfield Close, Grafton Rd, London, NW5 4BN Tel: 020 7916 5421
website: www.ktcityfarm.org.uk Facilities: DA, WCD, WC
Hackney City Farm
Hackney City Farm encompasses a range of activities from farming (chicken, geese, pigs and sheep) to pottery, various workshops and an Italian café. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-4.30pm Admission: free BR: Cambridge Heath+bus: 26,48,55 Address: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA Tel: (020) 7729 6381 www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk Facilities: BA, C, DAR, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Freightliners City Farm
Impressive selection of farm animals, many of them are rare breeds. You can buy hen and duck eggs, plus home-grown veg. Open: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm Tube: Holloway Road, Caledonian Road (zone 2) Address: Paradise Park, Sheringham Rd (off Liverpool Road), London, N7 8PF Tel: (020) 7609 0467 Web:www.freightlinersfarm.org.uk Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Deen City Farm and Riding School
Five acres of land with sheep, pigs, goats, cows, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, alpacas, peacocks and an owl. The Riding School caters for all age groups to suit weight, height and ability. Facilities include café, farm shop and information centre. Open: Tue-Sun & Bank Hol 10am-4.30pm Admission: free Tube: Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon (zone 3) Address: 39 Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey, London, SW19 2RR Tel: (020) 8543 5300 (General Enquiries) (020) 8543 5858 (Riding School) Web: www.deencityfarm.co.uk E-mail:
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Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC, BCF, S
Corams Fields
One of London most famous parks, this site dates back to 1747. The park has sand pits, lawns, a paddling pool, sport pitches, swings, wooden climbing tower, duck pond, café, animal farm, play areas divided into under and over 5s and set around seven acres of space. Adults can only be admitted if accompanied by a child. Open: Daily 8.30am-7.30pm Admission: free Tube: Russell Square (zone 1) Address: 93 Guildford Street, London, WC1N 1DN Tel: (020) 7837 6138 Facilities: BA, C, WCD, WC, BCF
Use it as a quick stop off as you travel!
London Zoo
More than 800 animals in 35 acres of zoo from insects to lions. Interact with the monkeys, visit the reptile house and look at the kangaroos. The biodiversity center is great as it demonstrates the complexity of world ecology, with all sorts of insects, fish and animals. Lots of cafes on site.
Open: Daily 10am–4pm Admission: Adults £17, Child £13.50, Family (2a+2c) £55.50 Under 3 free (discounts available on-line)
Tube: Camden Town (zone 1)Address: Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RYTel: (020) 7722 3333Web: www.zsl.org/london-zoo
Facilities: BA, C, DAR, WCD, WC, BCF, R, S
TIP Combine with a trip to Camden market, a canal boat trip (See canal museum for details) or a walk through regents park.
The first project of its kind in the world, with more than 105 acres of created wetlands, 150 species of birds. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it offers visitors the chance to see rare and beautiful wetland wildlife. Good educational / interactive exhibits for children and a nice café!
Open: Daily 9.30am-5pm Admission: Adult £8.95, Child £4.95, Family £25
Tube: Hammersmith +bus 283,72,33,209; BR: Barnes+bus: 72,33 (zone 2) Address: Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT Tel: (020) 8409 4400 Web:www.wwt.org.uk E-mail:
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Facilities: BA, C, DA, DAL, WCD, BCF, S
Family ticket available & WWT membership offers unlimited visits. Combine a with a boat trip from Westminster to Putney (from Putney pier walk along Thames toe path and turn left opposite Fulham football club).
Battersea Park Children's zoo
A 200 acres zoo, especially for children, set in Battersea Park. Includes farmyard animals, otters, peacocks, monkeys, migratory waterflows, butterflies. Pet the animals in the contact area and visit the snakes in the reptile house. There is a cafe on site with children's menu (parties also catered for!). click read more below for feeding times and activities.
The park itself is great, with lots of facilities including lakes with rowing boats, sports pitches, under 8s playground and 8-15yo adventure playground and cafés
Open: Daily 10-duskAdmission: Adults £6.50, Children £4.95, Family (2a+2c) £20.50, season tickets available
BR: Queenstown Road, Battersea Park (zone 2) Address: Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ Tel: (020) 7924 5826 http://www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk/ Facilities: BA, C, DA, NCF, S
Check with venue
When visiting the Battersea Children’s Zoo see also Battersea Park!
There are a number of separate activities based within the grounds of Syon House. The Butterfly House (a greenhouse full of tropical butterflies that roam freely around you) has now closed, but the Tropical Forest, a reptile house with exotic reptiles, birds, fish, mammals & insects is open for at least another year. Syon Park is also home to Snakes & Ladders, a huge children's indoor adventure playground (see our PLAY section). There is also a nice café and the house and grounds themselves (with mini steam train in summer). On the downside you will have to pay separately to enter each attraction (no combined entry ticket as yet!). Children's parties also catered for.
The London Aquarium boasts two-meter long sharks, venomous fish, seahorses, piranhas, rays and a host of exotic marine life. Kids’ will love the 1 million Litre Pacific Tank. Once there ask for activity sheets and trail. Check for discounts available with an oyster/travel card.
Open: Daily 10am-6pm Admission: Adult:13.25, Child: £9.25, Family (2a+2c) £44 (check for offers + 10% off if booked online)
Tube: Westminster, Waterloo (zone 1)
Address: County Hall Riverside Building, London, SE1 7PB Tel: (020) 7967 8000
Web: ww.londonaquarium.co.ukE-mail: lick here to email
A, C, WC, BCF, S
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Delightful farm on 4.5 acres with livestock consisting of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry and horses. Several gardens and a pond complement this slice of countryside in London. Riding programme provides access to horses at affordable rates. Can be tricky to find, so take a map. 
The first project of its kind in the world, with more than 105 acres of created wetlands, 150 species of birds. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it offers visitors the chance to see rare and beautiful wetland wildlife. Good educational / interactive exhibits for children and a nice café! 
A 200 acres zoo, especially for children, set in Battersea Park. Includes farmyard animals, otters, peacocks, monkeys, migratory waterflows, butterflies. Pet the animals in the contact area and visit the snakes in the reptile house. There is a cafe on site with children's menu (parties also catered for!). click read more below for feeding times and activities.
There are a number of separate activities based within the grounds of Syon House. The Butterfly House (a greenhouse full of tropical butterflies that roam freely around you) has now closed, but the Tropical Forest, a reptile house with exotic reptiles, birds, fish, mammals & insects is open for at least another year. Syon Park is also home to Snakes & Ladders, a huge children's indoor adventure playground (see our PLAY section). There is also a nice café and the house and grounds themselves (with mini steam train in summer). On the downside you will have to pay separately to enter each attraction (no combined entry ticket as yet!). Children's parties also catered for.
Tropical Forest 10-5 (6PM in summer)
The London Aquarium boasts two-meter long sharks, venomous fish, seahorses, piranhas, rays and a host of exotic marine life. Kids’ will love the 1 million Litre Pacific Tank. Once there ask for activity sheets and trail. Check for discounts available with an oyster/travel card. 