The city farms in Bristol and what they do for local communities

Bristol is situated near to some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, but it's also home to some of the most rural of inner-city spaces, providing havens and wholesome activities for local communities. City farms in Bristol are a sight to behold - and we have at least two major ones here - one in north of the city and the other in South Bristol.

One has a neighbouring outdoor sauna, while the other was the filming location for the most recent series of a hit Bristol-made TV show, starring Stephen Merchant. But, beyond all of that, they are each a vital space for the local communities in which they sit, as well as the city as a whole.

Here's everything you need to know about them, ready for your next visit...

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St Werburghs City Farm

St Werburghs City Farm is a registered charity described as being "an integral part of the local community, strengthening connections between land, animals and people for more than 40 years". It boasts a two-acre small holding, a one-acre community garden, a 2.5 acre conservation site (Boiling Wells) and 13 acres of community allotments, and runs a range of activities that 'support people to re-connect, learn and grow'.

Usually open seven days a week, its also home to the St Werburghs City Farm Cafe. You may have spotted this city farm in the most recent series of Outlaws, which is written by and stars Bristol-born Stephen Merchant, among other cast members including Christopher Walken, Richard E. Grant and Eleanor Tomlinson.

The City Farm was the backdrop for the third series of the popular BBC crime dramedy. In the new series, the six 'Outlaws' are completing their community service on a farm under the watchful gaze of their supervisor Diane (Jessica Gunning).

Filming took place at St Werburghs City Farm from the end of May to mid-June 2023. Jenny Howard Coles, co-director of St Werburghs City Farm, said: "As an inner-city community hub that has been strengthening connections between land, animals and people for more than 40 years, we're always looking for ways to raise funds that will protect our services.

"We offer programmes for young people facing disadvantage or struggling with mainstream education, horticultural and animal care placements for adults with disabilities and a volunteering programme for adults experiencing mental ill-health, as well as a range of training opportunities for people of all ages. So we were very pleased to host The Outlaws cast and crew to film at The Farm last year.

"The shoot helped us generate valuable income and once the new series airs, we hope to see an increase in visitors who may want to find out more about what we offer here."

Aside from all the fame that goes with being a filming location, St Werburghs City Farm, which is located on Watercress Road, has a range of activities, classes and other sessions aimed at bringing the community and nature together.

Adults Engagement Opportunities

These are the opportunities for adults at the Farm:

• Adults with disabilities, neurodiverse or with other learning difficulties requiring support, can get involved with supported farming and animal care placements

• Volunteering opportunities (for all adults aged 18+) include those in the fields of gardening, cooking, landscaping and wellbeing opportunities

• English classes and nature connection for Asylum Seekers and refugees experiencing poor mental health - these are run by Bristol Mind

• Team challenges

• Gardening courses and workshops

Children, youth, schools and education providers

These are the activities for children and young people at the Farm:

• Schools and education providers can embark on school visits, volunteering opportunities, outdoor 'work 2 learn' placements, forest school and outdoor educational sessions, as well as bespoke programmes, incubator hire and alternative curriculum sessions

• Inner-city children and young people can benefit from holiday camps and after school youth clubs - the Youth Club meets every Tuesday from 4pm

Other opportunities at the Farm include a range of partnerships, courses and workshops, an apprenticeship programme, events calendar and team challenges, in addition to woodland weddings, the ability to buy vegetable plug plants, or rent a City Farm space.

Windmill Hill City Farm

Another city farm to be found here in Bristol is Windmill Hill City Farm, located on Philip Street in Bedminster. This 4.5 acre green space in South Bristol boasts community gardens, a variety of farm animals, a play area, picnic areas and a cafe and farm shop.

There's also a children's nursery and indoor and outdoor spaces to hire, including a five-a-side football pitch. Like St Werburghs, Windmill Hill City Farm is open seven days a week, with the exception of a short break over Christmas, and entrance to the site is free but - as a charity - it encourages donations.

Windmill Hill also boasts a range of activities, services and other opportunities for the local community. These include supported volunteering, supported farm placements, Bristol Wellbeing College, and gardening for wellbeing.

Schools can visit the farm, with forest school also being among the list of things the Farm venue can boast about. Plus, it hosts a vast calendar full of events around the year, including an array of markets, making it a hot spot for locals and visitors alike.

And, if all that wasn't enough, Windmill Hill City Farm has its very own outdoor barrel sauna which you can book and enjoy. The area features not only the barrel sauna, but also a chilled and sanitised plunge pool, chill-out seating area, hot shower, changing area, compost toilet and a convenient spot to refill your water bottle.

Like the farm, the Orchard Sauna aims to be a gathering place for the community, with a number of outreach programmes in the works for charitable groups in the Bedminster area.