Bath City Farm
What is it: A working farm in a residential area of Bath.
What you need to know: The southwestern city of Bath is known for its hills and skyline views, but one of the most unexpected viewpoints is at Bath City Farm. Overlooking the west end of the city, Twerton and Bath Football Club ground, the farm is virtually hidden in the residential Whiteway neighbourhood. Sprawling across grassy hillsides, its 37 acres include pens for Gloucester Old Spot pigs, sheep fields, Shetland ponies, Dexter cattle, Pygmy goats, and chickens and ducks.
What they offer (online and off): Bath City Farm helps hundreds of people every year by running nearly a dozen social and educational projects, including Roots to Health, which supports adults with complex health and social needs. For local families, it’s a great spot to visit with young children and get to know more about farm animals. There’s also a café and a farm shop selling produce, jam and meat.
Why we think it matters: In a time when many of us live in cities, being around farmyard environments, seeing animals and experiencing the daily and seasonal rhythms of farms, can be hugely grounding for many different communities. Bath City Farm isn’t just a plucky working farm, it provides vital therapeutic activities and emotional and social support to hundreds of families and individuals in an under-resourced area of Bath.
In their own words: “When I was signed off work 18 years ago, the mental health team tried to get me into quite a lot of different things. Bath City Farm is the only place that got my interest. It’s made me much better coming here. I’ve learnt how to clip goats’ hooves, mend fencing and do lots of mucking out! It gives me something to look forward to every week. I love what I am doing here. It suits me down to the ground.” — volunteer, Bath City Farm
One piece of advice for where you are: Stop by to see the animals and pick up some fresh groceries, drop in for a cup of tea and a flapjack, or (if you’re looking for a community to join) sign up to be a volunteer. If you’re not based within reach of Bath, keep an eye on their Facebook page for news—recent updates include the arrival of a rare Large Black pig and new kids for a momma goat named Biscuit.
