Kentish Town City Farm: An Active Day Out With Kids
Small children do not care about step counts. They care about goats. If you have a toddler or a pre-schooler and you are trying to get more movement into your weekends, the trick is to build the walking around something they genuinely want to see. Kentish Town City Farm is perfect for this: free to visit, full of animals, and a short walk from the open space of Hampstead Heath. Put the two together and you have a full active morning that feels like a treat rather than a march.
I coach parents in Archway, and this is one of the days out I recommend most to families with under-7s. Here is how I would plan it.
About the farm
The farm describes itself as the UK’s first city farm, founded in 1972, and it is run as a charity. According to the Kentish Town City Farm website:
- It is at 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Road, NW5.
- It is open every day from 9am to 5pm, and general entry is free with no booking needed (groups of more than 8 need to book).
- Animals include goats, donkeys, ponies, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.
- There are bookable extras like pony rides for children aged 4 and over, and small animal sessions at weekends.
Opening times and activities can change, especially around holidays and in bad weather, so check the website before you go. Because it is a charity, a donation in the box is a nice way to say thanks if you can.
Why an animal day out is secretly great exercise
Watch a three-year-old at a farm. They run to the goat pen, run to the chickens, squat down to look at a rabbit, climb up to see over a fence, then run back to the goats. That is exactly the kind of stop-start, whole-body movement young children need, and it does not have to look like “exercise” to count. For school-age children, the NHS physical activity guidelines for children and young people suggest an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day. Younger children need plenty of active play too, and farm days deliver it without any nagging.
For you, it is gentler, but the walk to and from the Heath, plus carrying, crouching and chasing, adds up to a good amount of moderate activity.
A morning plan: Kentish Town City Farm and the Heath
9:30 to 10:30: the farm
Arrive early, when the animals are lively and it is quieter. Give the kids a simple mission to keep them moving around the whole site rather than glued to one pen:
- Find an animal with four legs, one with two legs, and one with feathers.
- Copy each animal’s walk: goat skips, chicken struts, rabbit hops.
- Count how many different animals you can see.
The animal walks are a sneaky workout for you too if you join in. Ten rabbit hops is basically a set of squat jumps.
10:30 to 11:00: walk to Parliament Hill
From the farm, the Gospel Oak edge of Hampstead Heath is close by. Let older kids lead with a map on your phone. Keep a steady pace and point out things on the way to keep little legs going.
11:00 to 12:00: the Heath
Head for open grass and play some easy running games, then reward everyone with the Parliament Hill playground. If anyone still has energy, walk up Parliament Hill for the view across London. My guide to a Hampstead Heath family day out has more ideas for this part.
A 10-minute parent workout while they play
Once the kids are settled in the playground, use a bench nearby:
- 10 bench squats (sit down lightly, stand up tall)
- 10 incline push-ups with hands on the bench
- 10 alternating reverse lunges each leg
- 20-second plank with hands on the bench
Do 3 rounds with a short rest while you check on the climbing frame. Nobody will notice, and you have just done more strength work than most people manage on a Saturday.
Making it work with a buggy
- Bring the buggy for the walk between the farm and the Heath. Under-4s often need it for the second half of the morning.
- On the Heath, stick to the main tarmac paths if the grass is wet.
- If you have a baby too, a carrier keeps your hands free for helping toddlers at the farm fences.
- Pack wipes. Farms and small hands go together.
For more on walking with little ones, see my post on buggy-friendly walks in North London.
Getting there from Archway
Kentish Town is two stops from Archway on the same branch of the Northern line, and the farm is a walk from Kentish Town station. Another option is the Overground: from Upper Holloway you can travel to Gospel Oak, which puts you close to both the farm and the Heath. Check a journey planner for live times and step-free access if you have a buggy.
Where a bootcamp class fits
Days like this are brilliant for your family’s activity levels. But if you are honest, your own fitness probably gets put last. Carrying a sleepy toddler home from the Heath is a lot easier when your legs, back and core are strong, and that strength comes from regular training, not the odd big day out.
My small-group classes in Archway are designed for exactly this kind of parent. If you are in your mid-thirties or older and want strength that makes daily life easier, try SYP Built To Last. Kentish Town locals can read about how others fit the trip in on my Kentish Town bootcamp page.
FAQs
Is Kentish Town City Farm free?
Yes. General entry is free and you do not need to book unless you are a group of more than 8. Some activities, like pony rides, are paid and booked online.
What age is the city farm best for?
All ages are welcome, but it is especially good for toddlers and primary school children. Pony rides are for children aged 4 and over, according to the farm.
Can you have a birthday party there?
The farm offers children’s party packages at weekends. Check the farm’s website for current prices and availability.
Are there toilets and food nearby?
Plan snacks and drinks before you arrive. Parliament Hill on the Heath has cafés and facilities, which is another reason the farm and Heath combination works so well.
Book your first class
When the weekend is for the kids, make one hour in the week for you. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, with no more than 10 people, at £15 a class. Every exercise has an easier and harder option, so you start wherever you are. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If Tufnell Park is closer to home, you might also like to read about my personal training in Tufnell Park.
About the author
Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.
