Windmill Hill City Farm
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
Free to wander round, with goats, sheep, pigs and cows to meet plus gardens and a play area to dig about in.
There's no ticket booth here. You walk in, wander the paddocks, have a scratch of whichever goat or sheep fancies a fuss at the fence, and wander out again. The farm doesn't want you feeding anything though, however hard a small child pleads, and the crops in the community gardens are strictly hands-off too, since they go straight to the café and farm shop rather than into anyone's pocket.
Beyond the animals there's a digging area and children's garden, plus a play area, so a visit isn't just paddock after paddock. It's free entry, which for a farm with goats, sheep, pigs and cows is a proper find, though they do ask for donations since it's a charity, and that's a fair trade for a free morning out.
Buggies are fine right round the farm, just not into the café, where there's a sheltered park outside to fold them up and leave. Paths can get muddy after rain, so wellies over trainers if it's been raining. The café runs until half four and does a kids menu alongside vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, using a fair bit of the farm's own produce, or you can bring your own picnic and use the tables on site.
It's open every day of the year bar a short Christmas closure, 9am to 5pm for the farm and gardens, so there's no need to plan around a single session time the way you would at a soft play. Big groups of more than ten do need to give the farm a heads up first.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Groups over 10 must book a tour or workshop
- Food
- Award-winning café serving home-cooked food using farm produce, with kids menu, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options
- Picnics
- Allowed. Picnic tables on site
- Pushchairs
- Buggies welcome. Buggy park outside café with shelter for storage
- Wheelchairs
- Café, pathways, paddocks and pens accessible
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs on leads allowed in front garden and café
- Wash hands thoroughly after touching animals, and before eating anything.
- Groups under ten are still asked to book ahead to make sure a visit is possible on the day.
- There's a farm shop on site if you want to try what's growing in the gardens.
- Blue badge holders get one bay on site plus free parking on Philip Street.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's free to get in, though the farm's a charity and welcomes a donation on the way round.
Do we need to book?
No need for a normal family visit, just turn up. Groups bigger than ten should let the farm know first.
What are the opening hours?
The farm and gardens are open 9am to 5pm every day. The café closes a bit earlier, at 4.30pm.
Can the kids touch or feed the animals?
You can pat or scratch any animal that comes over to the fence, but feeding them is a no, even a healthy diet gets thrown off by extra snacks.
Is there food on site?
There's a café with a kids menu and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, much of it made from the farm's own produce. Picnics are welcome too, with tables dotted around.
Can we bring a buggy or wheelchair?
Buggies go everywhere except inside the café, where there's a sheltered spot to park and fold them. The pathways, paddocks and café are wheelchair accessible, and there are three accessible toilets.
Is it OK for muddy weather?
It's an outdoor farm, so paths can get properly muddy after rain. Worth having wellies on standby rather than trainers.
Can we bring the dog?
Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in the front garden and café. Guide and hearing dogs can go anywhere on site.
Can we pick anything from the gardens?
The crops are grown to supply the café and farm shop, so hands off. If you fancy a taste, buy it from the farm shop instead.
Also on site
5-a-side Football Pitch
All-weather 5-a-side football pitch available to hire.
Cafe
Award-winning, cosy child-friendly cafe selling fresh food using farm produce all year round.
Farm Shop
Gift Shop
Areas to explore
Children's Play Area
Outdoor play area for children at the farm.
Community Gardens
outdoorsCommunity gardens including a greenhouse, polytunnel, ponds, an orchard, a nature garden and over 20 vegetable beds.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
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