February Half Term Fun

There is lots on at Deen City Farm and Riding School this February half term! We have a range of activities on, starting on Saturday 14th February with our garden trail. 

We also have crafts to celebrate the Lunar New Year, mini willow lantern making, ornament painting and a very special Doodle's gardening club! As well as all these crafts, we are running a very special meet and greet for our new Giant Continental rabbits. To find out more and book, please do visit our events page here. 

As well as all our exciting activities, we also have 'Own a Pony' and 'Young Farmer' days running this half term, which offer a brilliant way to experience being part of the farm team and get up close with some of the animals at the farm. To find out more, visit our website.

Garfield Weston Foundation

 

Deen City Farm and Riding School would like to give a huge thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation who have kindly provided a grant to fund core operating costs.

This grant will enable us to better secure our future and invest into much needed projects at the farm. Without generous grants such as these, we would be unable to continue our work providing educational and vocational opportunities to the local community. 
The Garfield Weston Foundation is a family founded grant-maker supporting charities operating in a wide variety of sectors across the UK that make a positive difference within their communities.

Established by W. Garfield Weston in 1958 through an endowment of shares in the family business – now known as Associated British Foods plc – the Foundation continues to be guided by the Weston Family. The Trustees, each of whom are direct descendants of the founder, play an active, informed role in its work.

We are delighted to have received this grant and to be able to continue essential work with our local community. 

Spooktober Fun at Deen City Farm

Spooktober Fun at Deen City Farm and Riding School

Down at the farm, we are celebrating Spooktober this October with lots of fun events for Halloween. Join us from Saturday the 25th for lots of monster mayhem.

We have a range of activities, from creating a hair raising decoration to meeting some of the farm's remarkable reptiles as well as lots of free craft activities, and a haunting Halloween trail for everyone to enjoy!

Why not wear your favourite creepy costume for a spooktactular visit?

  • Spooky Crafting (Sunday 26th & Wednesday 29th, £3)
  • Spooky Halloween Decoration (Saturday 25th and Tuesday 28th, £6)
  • Spooky-Ukulele (Tuesday 28th - Friday 31st , £4.50)
  • Meet the Reptiles (Thursday 30th, £5)
  • Doodles Garden Club Halloween Special (Friday 31st, £4.50)
  • Halloween Trail (Saturday 25th - Sunday 2nd November, £3)

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Saturday 29th November 

1o:00 - 12:00

Tickets: £60 - 18 years and over

Begin the festive season with a relaxing and fun morning by creating your very own traditional Christmas door wreath.

You'll be guided by Emily throughout the session, to make sure you create a decorative wreath that you can be proud of and present on your door, spreading festive cheer to all. We'll be using a circular metal frame with a selection of all-natural materials, including a selection of foliage, dried fruit, and some fabulous ribbon.

Bring your friends or come on your own. There will be festive snacks, and mulled wine (or a just as delicious non-alcoholic alternative), along with some soothing Christmas music, to help you get into the mood, and bring out your full creative self. We recommend bringing a pair of gloves and an apron, as some of the plants may have a few prickles! If you would like to bring some of your own decorations to place on your wreath, please feel free to bring those too.

Farm Fest – Saturday 21st June 2025

Our annual fundraising festival Farm Fest returns for it's third year!
 
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day of joy and celebration at Farm Fest 2025! Join us for a day full of games, fun and live entertainment from local acts.
 
Enjoy live music and dancing from local acts such as;
* Mitcham Community Choir, a local community choir
* Popchoir who will be singing a collection of fun pop tracks
* The New MUGs, an energetic local Ukulele group
* Colliers Wood Community Orchestra, a local orchestra
* Claire Weston- Shaw 
* Neha Tiwari, Bollywood dance performance
 
Try your luck at games in our Willow Field and maybe take home a prize! Grab a burger from our BBQ and a refreshing drink from the BAA!
Opening Hours
We will be opening late until 19:00, last entry at 18:00.
 
Tickets
There will be a small admission price:
£2 per adults
£1 for children aged 12 - 15
Free for under 11s
 
All proceeds raised during the day will go towards supporting the Farm and help keep it open for generations to come.

Spring is Here—Help Our City Farm Bloom!

Spring brings new life to our farm – playful lambs, buzzing bees and vibrant gardens. But beyond the beauty, we are also a place of learning, growth and community connection. Thousands of children, families and young people rely on Deen City Farm for education, work experience and a chance to engage with nature.

We need your continued help to thrive into the future.

Last year was one of the toughest we’ve ever faced. Rising costs—especially from unexpected electrical problems —put our future at risk. Yet, thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we persevered. Together, we were able to:

*  Welcome 147,000 visitors, providing a free, open space where families and individuals could connect with nature.

*  Deliver 3,100 riding lessons, 28% of which were for children aged 4-10, helping young riders build confidence and skills.

*  Offer 260 work experience placements and a number of youth volunteering days, empowering young people with valuable skills.

*  Educate 1,900 schoolchildren through workshops and guided experiences, inspiring the next generation to care for animals and the environment.

This impact is only possible with continued support from people like you. Your donation is an investment in our community—ensuring that families, schools and individuals have a place to learn, grow and connect with animals.

Every Gift Makes a Difference

  • £5 could feed our ferrets for five days
  • £20 could provide a week's worth of horse feed for one of our horses
  • £100 could contribute to essential vet care for our cows

Can you help us keep our farm open and free for everyone? A regular donation or one-time gift will ensure we can continue caring for our animals, tending our gardens and supporting our community for generations to come.

Thank you for being a part of our farm family. Your kindness keeps us going!

May Craft Fair

Get ready for a fantastic day of creativity and community at the Deen City Farm Craft Fair on Saturday 31st May 2025, from 10:30 to 15:00.

Local makers and artists will showcase a wonderful selection of handmade items, including art, jewellery, crochet, and more. Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a special keepsake, or just a fun day out, there will be plenty to explore!

While you're here, why not visit our animals, grab a bite in the café, or take a stroll around the farm? 

The event is free to enter, donations welcome. You can book your visit here. 

May Fair Application

Are you a maker, artist, or craft enthusiast looking to showcase your handmade creations?

Fill in this form and send it to information@deencityfarm.co.uk. 

Note: we have limited spaces for stalls so get your application in soon to secure your pitch. 

Easter at Deen City Farm

We have an exciting line up of spring-time activities this Easter, including workshops, an Easter Trail and a special visit from Polka Theatre on the 5th April.

Meet the Lambs

We have welcomed six beautiful new lambs to the farm — and you’re invited to meet them and their mums! 🐑💕

Sessions last 30 minutes and cost £15 per person. Everyone attending will need a ticket, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note: sessions are shared unless all six slots are booked together for a private experience.

Book your tickets here.

Events

Animal Life Painting

Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th April

10:15 - 15:45 (45 min sessions)

Tickets: £6.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Portrait painting with one of our fabulous animal models!

 

All About Eggs

Sunday 6th, 13th & 20th April

10:15 - 15:45 (30 min sessions)

Tickets: £4.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Learn all there is to know about eggs in this exciting workshop, complete with egg-based crafts!

Flower Making

Tuesday 8th & 15th April

10:15 - 15:45 (30 min sessions)

Tickets: £3.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Craft your own spring flowers with us.

Farm Explorers

Wednesday 9th & 16th April

10:30-11:00 & 13:30-14:00

Tickets: £10.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Explore-and-learn session about farm animals featuring story-time.

Clothes Peg Horses

Thursday 10th & 17th April

10:15 - 15:45 (30 min sessions)

Tickets: £3.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Make your own horse to take home with you.

Meet the Chickens

Monday 21st April

10:30-11:00, 11:30-12:00 & 14:30-15:00

Tickets: £5.00, suitable for ages 2 and over.

Get a chance to learn a little more about some feathery friends and say hi up close and personal.

Doodles Garden Club - Potatoes

Friday 11th April

10:30-11:20

Tickets: £4.50, suitable for ages 3-7 (adult supervision required)

Ever wondered where our potatoes come from? Join us for a fun session in the vegetable garden, where we will plant some potatoes into the soil, and give them a good water.

Doodles Garden Club - Seeds

Friday 18th April

10:30 - 11:20

Tickets: £4.50, suitable for ages 3-7 years. (adult supervision required)

This week we'll be sowing rainbow sweetcorn into trays, which will eventually be planted out here at the farm, where you can watch them grow over time.

Ukulele Man Farm Tour

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th April

11:00, 12:00 & 14:00 (35 min sessions)

Tickets: £4.50, suitable for under 5 years. 

Join us on a musical sing along tour around the Farm! (0ne free adult per child)

Polka Community Day at Deen City Farm!

The community team from Polka theatre will be taking over one of our rear fields on Saturday 5th April in spired by Polka’s Spring production, Chicken Licken!

Find out more here

Love and Kindness: A Creative Valentine’s Day Workshop For All Ages

Join us for a fun and creative Valentine's Day workshop where children and adults alike can explore love, kindness, and self-expression through art! 

Friday 14th February 2025

10:30-12:30

This hands-on experience will include two special activities designed to help us celebrate what makes our hearts grow:

🌳 Compassion Tree Art – Create your very own tree that represents love and kindness! The trunk is you, the branches are your family and friends, and the leaves will be decorated with kind words and symbols of love.

❤️ Map of My Heart – Draw a map of your heart filled with the people, places, and memories that are most special to you. This colourful activity helps us reflect on what we love and appreciate.

Each activity will begin with a short and gentle meditation to help everyone feel calm and ready to create. This is a wonderful opportunity for children and families to express themselves, share their feelings, and connect through art in a warm and welcoming space.

Meet Sarah Jane DeNeumann, your creative guide for the workshop! Sarah is an artist who loves using art to explore the spiritual journey. Inspired by nature, love, and kindness, she creates spaces where everyone—kids and adults alike—can express themselves freely. With her warm and encouraging approach, she’ll help you tap into your creativity and bring your heart’s stories to life through art.

Tickets: £4.00 suitable for children and adults, all attendees should have a ticket. All proceeds of this event go towards supporting Deen City Farm. 

All ages welcome—no art experience needed! Just bring your imagination and a kind heart.

A Memorable Visit

Acacia Care Centre Residents Enjoy a Day at Deen City Farm

Deen City Farm, nestled in the heart of the London Borough of Merton, recently welcomed a special group of visitors for a delightful morning on the farm. Residents from the Acacia Care Centre, part of the Future Care Group, spent a memorable day engaging with the animals, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that our urban farm has to offer. 

At Deen City Farm, our mission is to educate the local community about the rural environment and the origins of their food, while also providing enriching experiences through our volunteering programme and affordable Riding School. The recent visit by the residents of Acacia Care Centre perfectly encapsulated the joy and connection that can be gained through these interactions. 

The day began with the residents eagerly feeding the farm animals, an activity that brought about many smiles and moments of fun. The joy on their faces was unmistakable as they interacted with the animals, a reminder of the simple pleasures that such experiences can bring. 

The visit also coincided with perfect weather, allowing the residents to relax and unwind in the warmth of the sun. They were treated to watching a horse-riding session, which added to the excitement of the day. Watching the graceful horses in action was a highlight for many, sparking conversations and evoking memories of past experiences with animals. 

To top off their visit, the residents enjoyed coffee and snacks in the farm’s welcoming surroundings. This break offered a wonderful opportunity for social interaction, with lively discussions and the chance to connect over shared experiences. The combination of fresh air, engaging activities, and a change of scenery provided a refreshing and uplifting experience for everyone involved. 

Acacia Care Centre staff said:

"Outings like these are more than just a pleasant diversion for their residents; they are vital for enhancing the well-being of the residents. By offering a change of environment, encouraging outdoor activity, and facilitating social connections, these excursions play a key role in enriching their lives, and we were delighted to be a part of it."

At Deen City Farm, we remain committed to providing meaningful experiences for all members of our community, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors like the residents of Acacia Care Centre in the future.