Farm Trails

Stick Man family and child studying snailStick Man trail

This colourful, fun-filled activity trail features Stick Man and other characters.

The self-guided trail is open year-round and is aimed at encouraging children aged 3-7 to get outdoors and explore the natural world and find out how things grow.

If you want to ‘twig’ how much fun the trails can be, then visit us during opening hours. The trail starts at reception.

Windmill Hill City Farm is one of only four community growing groups in the UK chosen to pilot the new Stick Man trails. It is part of a Big Lottery funded initiative called Growing Together, which aims to get more people, including children, involved with their local community growing groups, such as city farms, community gardens, therapy gardens and community orchards. Find out more about Growing Together here.

The Stick Man trail (installed thanks to the support of brand owner Magic Light Pictures) is based on the much-loved Stick Man picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Download a trail map and activity sheet by clicking the link below:

Trail map & activity sheet (PDF 2 pages)


As part of the Windmills of Time project, a number of trails were developed around the City Farm to help visitors learn more about the history, animals and plants in the area while exploring the farm and gardens.

Garden Friends trail

brass rubbing plate of wormDid you know that worms eat their own weight in soil every day?

Or that ladybirds like to lay their eggs on nettles?

On our ‘Garden Friends’ trail you will meet eight different species that are friends of the gardener. All of them help to keep the garden healthy and pest free. Follow the trail to find our animal plaques where you can take a brass rubbing.

Leaflets about the trail and brass rubbing booklets are available from reception or you can download copies below:

Garden Friends leaflet (PDF)

Brass rubbing booklet (PDF)


Golden Cabbages trail

gold painted cabbagesThis is actually two trails. The first trail is at Windmill Hill City Farm where you can use our trail map to track down ten golden cabbages. Each cabbage has a fascinating local history story to tell.

If you want, you can then stroll into Bedminster to see the places where these stories actually happened. Be thrilled by the exploits the Bristol’s “demon barber”. And who was the mysterious Princess Caraboo?

Take the Golden Cabbages trail to find out more.

Golden Cabbages leaflet (PDF)


Painted wooden post with bee carvingGroundworks story trail

Do you know our frog song?

Can you flap your arms like a bee?

Have you ever caught a raindrop on your tongue?

The story trail starts by the archway into the community gardens and allotments. Follow the path around to have fun discovering the creatures from the story on our carved wooden posts.

Story trail leaflet (PDF)


Wooden post with carved ladybirdPlay trail

Discover our hidden play spaces and go on an adventure!

Hop along to the beginning of this trail. It starts by the frog at the front of the wildlife area.

Can you find six creatures and symbols of nature on our carved wooden posts?

Play trail leaflet (PDF

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Windmill Hill City Farm is a registered charity. We do not charge for entry, so every donation we receive helps us keep operating as a community facility for the enjoyment of the public. 

Windmill Hill City Farm has a great selection of rooms and indoor or outdoor spaces for hire. 

In the heart of Bedminster, the farm and its natural surroundings have long acted as a rich resource for therapeutic activity, growth, and improved wellbeing. 

Support us

We are a charity offering education, recreation and therapy for local people and provide a hub for the community. Help us keep providing these vital services.

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