Bristol has two proper city farms you can visit for free: St Werburghs City Farm in the inner city and Windmill Hill City Farm in South Bristol. Both are open seven days a week, ask for a donation rather than an entry fee, and are genuinely good for a couple of hours with kids, whatever the weather.
If you've done the obvious family days out already, city farms are worth knowing about. They're free, they're dog-friendly in the outdoor areas, and unlike a lot of Bristol's paid attractions, you can just turn up.
St Werburghs City Farm
Tucked into the St Werburghs valley behind Mina Road, this is a proper working community farm with animals, allotments and a well-regarded café. Entry is free, though a £5 donation is encouraged and there's a tap-to-donate machine by the gates if you don't have cash.
- Opening hours: 9am to 5pm in summer, 9am to 4pm in winter, seven days a week. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
- Café: Thursday to Monday, 9.30am to 3.30pm, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. No reservations taken.
- Getting there: the easiest walk or cycle route is through the railway tunnel on Mina Road. By bus, the number 25 stops at Mina Road/York Road, or the 70 and 73 stop at Ashley Down Road/Sommerville Road, about a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Ashley Down station is roughly a 10 minute walk, and Montpelier station is 15 to 20 minutes.
- Address: Watercress Road, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9YJ.
Parking on Watercress Road itself is limited, so it's often easier to park before the graffiti tunnel and walk the last couple of minutes.
Windmill Hill City Farm
South Bristol's equivalent, a 4.5-acre site with community gardens, animal pens, a play area and picnic spots, plus a café, farm shop and children's nursery. It's free to enter, with donations welcomed to support the charity.
Beyond the animals, Windmill Hill has grown into more of a community hub than a typical petting farm. There's a taproom run by Bruhaha serving local beers and ciders, a weekly ethical market, a sauna and cold plunge pool in the Orchard, and a craft studio housing a working pottery. It's open seven days a week, all year, with only a short closure over Christmas.
Comparing the two
| St Werburghs City Farm | Windmill Hill City Farm | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | Inner city, St Werburghs | South Bristol |
| Entry | Free, £5 donation encouraged | Free, donations welcomed |
| Hours | 9am–5pm summer / 9am–4pm winter | 7 days a week, all year |
| Café | Thu–Mon, 9.30am–3.30pm | 7 days a week |
| Extras | Community garden, allotments | Taproom, sauna, pottery studio, market |
Tips for visiting
Both farms are working charities rather than commercial attractions, so don't expect the polish of a paid zoo. Paths can get muddy after rain, and opening hours can shift around bank holidays, so it's worth a quick check of each farm's own site before you set off, especially over Christmas.
If you're planning a wider family day out, our Bristol with kids guide has more ideas, and our roundup of free things to do in Bristol covers other no-spend options. For dog owners, dog-friendly Bristol is a useful companion piece since both farms welcome well-behaved dogs in their outdoor areas.
Frequently asked questions
Are Bristol's city farms actually free? Yes. Both St Werburghs City Farm and Windmill Hill City Farm are free to enter, though both are charities and appreciate a donation.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend one to two hours at either farm, longer if you stop for lunch at the café.
Are the city farms dog-friendly? The outdoor areas generally welcome well-behaved dogs on leads, though animal pens and paddocks are off-limits. Check signage on the day.
Which is easier to reach without a car? St Werburghs City Farm has more public transport options close by, including Ashley Down and Montpelier stations and several bus routes. Windmill Hill is best checked against a live journey planner depending on where you're starting from.
Can I have a party or event at a city farm? Yes, both farms have spaces available for private hire, such as Windmill Hill's Orchard Lodge and John James Room, or St Werburghs' community spaces. Contact each farm directly to check availability.
Are the farms open on bank holidays? St Werburghs is generally open on bank holidays except over the Christmas and New Year period. Windmill Hill is open all year with only a short Christmas closure. Always check ahead for one-off closures.