Is Hackney City Farm free to visit?

Yes, entry to the farm is completely free. The on-site restaurant Frizzante has its own pricing if you choose to eat there, but walking the farm and seeing the animals costs nothing.

What is Frizzante at Hackney City Farm?

Frizzante is an Italian restaurant on the farm site, serving seasonal food made with local and farm produce. It's consistently reviewed as excellent for families and is a popular brunch and lunch destination in East London. Booking ahead is advised.

How do we get to Hackney City Farm?

The nearest station is Haggerston on the Overground (East London line). The farm is about a 5-minute walk from the station. There is limited street parking in the area.

Hackney City Farm

Rating

4.5(2,056)

Family of 4

Free entry; budget USD 50-70 if eating at Frizzante restaurant

Duration

1.5-2.5 hours

Best Ages

Toddlers through primary school age

About

Hackney City Farm in Haggerston is one of London's most loved community farms — a compact but impeccably managed urban farm that has been a cornerstone of the local East London community since 1984. What sets it apart from similar city farms is the combination of genuinely good animal husbandry, a beautiful kitchen garden, and the outstanding on-site restaurant Frizzante, which has developed a strong reputation for quality Italian food made with farm and local produce.

The animals at Hackney City Farm include goats, pigs, cows, donkeys, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The farm is clean, well-maintained, and the animals are clearly healthy and well-socialised. Children can observe the animals at close quarters from accessible viewing areas, and farm staff are approachable and happy to discuss the animals' care and the daily routines of the farm.

The kitchen garden is productive and educational, growing seasonal vegetables, herbs, and flowers throughout the year. For families interested in where food comes from, this growing space adds real depth to the experience beyond animal encounters alone.

Frizzante, the restaurant, elevates Hackney City Farm well above a standard free day out. Serving Italian-inspired food with a strong emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients, it is consistently recommended as one of the better family-friendly restaurants in East London. Booking ahead for a table is strongly advised, especially on weekends.

The farm is free to enter and free to explore. Its location in Haggerston makes it easily accessible from the Overground.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

Excellent on-site Italian restaurant (Frizzante) serving family-friendly food

Setting

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekends when the restaurant is open and the farm is at its liveliest; weekday mornings in term time for a quieter visit

Wait Times

No queues for farm entry — free access

Nearby Food

On-site Frizzante restaurant; Broadway Market (Saturday only) is a short walk away with excellent street food and artisan producers

Why Kids Love It

Hackney City Farm is one of those places that feels genuinely good — friendly animals, a beautiful garden, and a brilliant Italian restaurant all in one spot. Children love being able to get close to the farm animals in such an urban setting, and parents love that the on-site restaurant Frizzante turns a farm visit into a proper family lunch outing. It's a complete experience.

Pro Tips from Parents

Book a table at Frizzante before your visit — it fills up quickly especially on weekends, and the food is genuinely excellent and worth the planning.
Hackney City Farm is free to enter, making it an excellent option for an impromptu weekday outing during school holidays.
The kitchen garden is at its most beautiful in late spring and summer; timing a visit for this period maximises what children can see growing.