Sheffield’s City Farms
As The Outdoor City, it’s no surprise that Sheffield has some fantastic city farms. With a great variety of farms in and on the edge of the city, there should be at least one close by where you can meet a host of furry friends.
So if you're looking for a great family outing or you're just an absolute animal lover, here are some of the best for you to enjoy...
Heeley City Farm
Located just outside of the city centre, Heeley City Farm has been around for over 40 years and is now a certified rare breeds centre. On your way around the farm you'll meet cows, pigs, sheep and horses, along with different breeds of ducks, chickens, peafowl and even a silver pheasant! The farm also has a small animal house that houses cute and cuddly animals, as well as a scary corner. FREE to visit and open every day of the year (except Christmas Day).
Our Cow Molly
Head to the small village of Dungworth in Sheffield, just outside the Peak District, and enjoy artisan ice cream with a fab Sheffield city view at the Our Cow Molly Farm. This award-winning ice cream producer is well-loved across the city, but the on-site ice cream parlour is the only place where you choose from their full range of flavours (including special editions), and of course, say hello to the cows that help produce it. Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm and every day during school holidays.
Mayfield Alpacas
On the edge of Sheffield, Mayfield is a centre of excellence for the UK alpaca industry. Aside to alpacas, the park keeps and cares for a wide range of interesting animals from all over the world, including meerkats, exotic birds, horses and farm animals of every kind. It's a great place to learn more about the animal world and see a range of species up close across their 45 acres, with the Mayfield Valley providing a beautiful backdrop. Open every day, 10am- 4pm.
Graves Park Animal Farm
Found in Sheffield’s biggest park, Graves Park Animal Farm is home to some of the rarest breeds of farm animals in the country. Meet Tamworth pigs, Highland cattle and Jacob sheep, and get up close to goats, donkeys, waterfowl and a whole host of other small animals. The farm is open 7 Days a week 10am - 3.30pm. It's FREE to visit and no need to book, but no dogs on the farm are allowed please.
Whirlow Hall Farm
Open Wednesday to Sunday each week and Bank Holidays, Whirlow offers visitors a view into the life of a fully functioning working farm. With a large variety of livestock and growing spaces spanning 138 acres, they have a great range of animals for you and your family to learn about, plus there's an adventure playground, a newly expanded restaurant-cafe, farm shop and you can even book Tractor Rides.
Holly Hagg Community Farm
Holly Hagg Community Farm is a not-for-profit organisation, where they care for three acres of rich natural wildlife. This now includes 10 alpacas (plus Jefe the llama) who were originally welcomed onto the farm to help with permaculture land management, but have since become the farm's star attraction. You can get up close with Holly Hagg's popular residents on organised Alpaca Treks, taking your very own alpaca for a walk through the beautiful woodlands in the Rivelin Valley around the farm. Treks take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at 11am and 1:30pm- booking is essential.