Kentish Town City Farm: free, open daily, and what to time it for
Free, open seven days a week and tucked between two railway lines in Camden NW5: how to get the most from Kentish Town City Farm.
By Only Camden Editorial
Open 09:00 to 17:00, seven days a week. Entry is free and you do not need to book. That is the whole pitch, and it is a good one. Kentish Town City Farm sits at 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Road, NW5 4BN, in the north of Camden, and it is the sort of place that makes a grey Tuesday feel less grey. The details come from the farm’s own visiting page.
What it is
It is a local charity that helps city people connect with animals, nature and the environment. The site covers four acres alongside two railway lines, with animal pasture areas, community gardens, a wildlife pond and a riding arena. According to the farm’s about page, it also runs lifelong learning, outdoor therapy and education for children and for adults with special needs, and a Young Farmers Club for ages 8 to 16.
Expect goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, geese and chickens, plus some smaller animals, according to Visit London. There are also two farm cats, Gracie and Mr Grey. Do not turn up with a checklist of exact animals, as the lineup changes.
A bit of history
It was founded in 1972 and is billed as the UK’s first city farm. It was built on a former timber yard, started by a local community group who wanted young people to experience rural life. The farm’s site credits Ed Berman, who mobilised the community, and his organisation Inter-Action. It celebrated its 50th birthday in 2022.
Time Out points out a neat detail: if you have taken a Thameslink train through Kentish Town, you may have glimpsed the animals from the window. Given the two railway lines, that tracks.
When to go
Time your visit around the free drop-in Animal Encounters, listed on the farm’s homepage:
- Saturdays and Sundays: 12:00 to 12:30.
- Weekdays except Tuesdays: 11:30 to 12:00, by the small animal enclosures.
- Tuesdays: none.
Sessions may be cancelled in extreme weather. Weekends have the most going on: Pet Club for small-animal care runs Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 to 13:00 and needs booking, and there are pony rides at weekends. Tickets for each Saturday go on sale at 12 noon every Sunday. No price was listed, so check the website before you set your heart on it.
Tripadvisor suggests allowing one to two hours.
If May Day is your thing, the annual festival has pony rides, maypole dancing and goat-grooming certificates, per Time Out. The 2025 event was Monday 5 May from 12:00. Check the farm’s website for the next date.
The rules
- No eating, drinking or smoking on site. Have your snack before you go in.
- No dogs, except support dogs. Tell staff on entry.
- Under-8s must be accompanied by an adult.
- Wash your hands on the way in and on the way out.
- There is room for buggies and bicycle parking inside.
Groups under 8 people can just turn up. Groups over 8 must book through the office on 020 7916 5421, and enquiries take 3 to 5 days to answer.
Getting there
The farm lists Gospel Oak (Overground), Kentish Town (Thameslink) and Kentish Town (Northern line). For buses, it lists the C11 at Gospel Oak, the 24 and 46 at Queen’s Crescent, and more on Kentish Town Road. Check walking times on a map before you set off. Day Out With The Kids says there is free parking on Grafton Road Monday to Friday after 11:00 and all day at weekends, so read the signs on the day.
Changes on site
The farm says it is at a pivotal point, with plans to redevelop the site using funding from the local council and Network Rail. Its FAQ says the horses are living offsite while the top of the farm is repaired, and the riding arena is being redeveloped. So the horses may not be there. The pony Horace, meanwhile, is listed as giving rides at weekends.
Paying your way
Entry is free, but the farm welcomes donations, online or in its red postbox. On JustGiving, £10 a month buys three pairs of child-size wellies and £20 a month buys enough hay for a month. It is a registered charity, number 294797.
Children’s parties cost £185 plus VAT for two hours at weekends (10:00 to 12:00 or 14:00 to 16:00), with an animal handling add-on at £75 for 30 minutes.
