PIN Deen City Farm

Rural pursuits on a city farm

Deen City Farm is an urban farm with an educational focus in the heart of the London Borough of Merton. They teach the local community about the rural environment and where their food comes from. They have an active Volunteering programme as well as a Riding School offering affordable lessons to visitors.

They are a registered charity supported by Merton Council, and rely upon donations from visitors and the local community to help them carry out their work. They play host to a huge range of activities and events; providing educational visits to schools, riding lessons for people of all levels, holiday schemes working in the farm yard and much more!

History

Deen City Farm is one of London’s oldest City Farms. Established in 1978 on a plot of land where the Phipps Bridge Estate now stands. The farm has educated the local community for almost 35 years. After a number of different sites in the local area, in 1994 they moved to their current farm, a 5-acre purpose built working farm with gardens and riding school. The land that the farm is built on is part of The National Trust’s Modern Hall Park (they are on Bunces Meadow)

Running right next to the farm is the River Wandle and the Wandle Trail, which connects them to their neighbours - The National Trust at Morden Hall Park and the Arts and Crafts Village at Merton Abbey Mills.
Morden Hall Park, The River Wandle, and the area around Merton Abbey, is steeped in history. King Henry III signed the Statues of Merton within the Chapter House of Merton Priory in 1236, the first and founding documents of English Common Law.

In the 18th Century the area around Merton Abbey became a major centre for textile printing and dyeing in England. In the 19th Century Gilliat Hatfield Snr. bought land surrounding Morden Hall, creating a Deer Park, which is now Morden Hall Park

TripTide Thoughts

We just love this little gem of a farm . We visited recently a few weeks ago, and found the place buzzing with children all enjoying the animals on the farm. Cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and loads more. There is a playground,and a café serving tasty food at a good price. We watched the horse riding, where they were giving lessons. The gardens were looking lovely with vegetables, fruit and flowers and it was hard to believe there is no charge to go there, they only ask for a donation. Excellent and educational

How to get there

Walk straight ahead through the industrial estate and turn right at the end of the road heading towards the footpath next to the Sunlight Laundry. Walk down the footpath, past the riding arena to the Farm Entrance on your right hand side. It is about a 15 minute walk.

Owner

Lucy TripTide

Lucy is a TripTide stalwart and has been with the company since inception. She is a font of knowledge of all things in our metropolis but she has a special penchant for London's historical past. She says:"London is a multi-layered confection of hi...