Griftsteede is a city farm located in Utrecht, part of the Utrecht Natuurlijk network. It is a place where visitors can get up close with farm animals such as goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and bees. The farm features a natural playground, a garden with a barefoot path, a greenhouse, and a farm café and shop offering local products like coffee, pastries, eggs, and seasonal honey. Griftsteede also serves as a community meeting point, hosting various green activities, workshops, and educational programs for children and adults. The farm is largely wheelchair accessible and is a partner of the U-pas program for those with a limited income.
While Griftsteede is not primarily a self-pick farm, a self-pick garden is available at the related Stadstuin Zuilen location. There, visitors can harvest their own fresh vegetables on Friday mornings from 10:00 to 12:30 from May 1st to the end of October.
The farm is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Mondays, as well as on New Year’s Day, King’s Day (April 27th), and Christmas Day. On December 5th, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, the farm is open until 15:30. During the summer holidays, the farm remains closed on Mondays, and during other school holidays, it is also open on Mondays (with the exception of Steede Hoge Woerd). The farm café is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 16:30.
What visitors say
This popular city farm and park in Utrecht, known as Griftstede, is widely praised as an exceptional destination for families, particularly those with young children. Visitors consistently highlight the diverse array of friendly and approachable animals, including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice, with many opportunities for direct interaction, such as petting or walking in the animal enclosures.
Beyond the animal encounters, the farm boasts an extensive and well-maintained playground, featuring a variety of equipment suitable for toddlers through primary school-aged children. This includes sand and water play areas, bikes, scooters, and in the warmer months, a splash pool. For colder or wetter days, an indoor play area offers additional activities like dress-up, painting, and crafts. The serene, green environment provides a peaceful escape within the city, often hosting educational activities, workshops (like beekeeping and candle making), and events.
The staff and volunteers are frequently described as welcoming, friendly, and helpful, contributing to the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. A cafe or kiosk on-site offers refreshments such as coffee, tea, and pastries, enhancing the visitor experience. While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, some minor concerns are occasionally raised, including the high cost of parking in the vicinity, the disappointment over certain large playground slides being closed for safety, and the fact that some farm animals are raised for slaughter. Despite these few points, the farm is celebrated as a clean, well-organized, and stimulating environment where children can learn about nature and enjoy hours of play.