Rousebarn Lane, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 3GG
Cassiobury Farm and Fishery
Wildlife park
Place photograph
4.7
Wildland
Half day
Time
Paid
Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.7A 15-acre former watercress-farm site on the grounds of Cassiobury House has been restored as a smallholding combining rare-breed farm animals, exotic wildlife, a kitchen garden and a long-established fishing lake. Its limited public opening makes planning ahead essential.
Cassiobury Farm stands out for bringing a rare-breeds farm and an unusual exotic-animal collection together on a historic 15-acre site with a kitchen garden and fishing lake. It is a distinctive, carefully planned visit, though its limited open days and managed setting make it less of a wild escape than a nature reserve.
Quirky · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapRousebarn Lane, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 3GG
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore the farm and its animal collection, kitchen garden and fishing-lake setting during an advertised public open day. The site is private and opens only on selected dates, so check the official website before planning a visit.
Things to do
See the rare-breed farm animals
Explore the farm’s domestic-animal collection. The official website highlights Gloucester Old Spot pigs, Soay sheep and Norfolk Black turkeys.
Look for the exotic wildlife
The farm describes an exotic-animal collection including meerkats and monkeys. Check the current animal collection and visitor arrangements before going.
Visit the kitchen garden
The kitchen garden is one of the features of the 15-acre site; explore it if it is open to visitors on the day.
See the fishing-lake setting
The site includes a fishing lake; the official website says there has been a lake here for more than 70 years. Fishing access or activities should be checked directly with the farm.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Meet the farm and wildlife collection
- 01
Visit on an advertised public open day; check the farm’s website for current dates and arrangements.
- 02
Explore the rare-breed farm and exotic-animal collection.
Half day · Half day
Explore the farm, garden and fishery
- 01
Start with the rare-breed farm and exotic wildlife collection.
- 02
Take time to see the kitchen garden and fishing-lake setting.
- 03
Check ahead whether any fishery activities are available to visitors on your chosen open day.
Verified history
The official site says the farm occupies land once associated with Cassiobury House, ancestral home of the Earls of Essex, and describes a decade-long restoration of a site that had been derelict for three decades. It also states that a fishing lake has been present for more than 70 years. A community rail listing describes historic watercress beds on the site dating to 1820.
Hidden details
Historic watercress beds — The site’s history includes watercress beds dating back to 1820, according to the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership. Look for the setting and landscape features associated with this past, but no surviving structures or specific remnants are verified by the supplied sources.
When to go
· Check the announced open-day schedule and visitor information; no preferred time of day is verified.
A community rail listing describes public openings during school summer holidays, while Tripadvisor says the site opens on a limited number of days. Current seasonal dates are not established by the supplied sources, so check the official website.
Check the forecast and any event-day guidance before travelling; no site-specific weather advice is verified.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the contrast between the rare-breed farm animals and the exotic wildlife collection
- 02
the official site mentions Gloucester Old Spot pigs, Soay sheep, Norfolk Black turkeys, meerkats and monkeys. The site also includes a kitchen garden and a fishing lake.
The story
Industry
Best time to go
Check the farm’s announced open days; a source describes public openings during school summer holidays, but current dates may vary.
Choose a published open day and confirm the date and visitor arrangements with the farm. Sources describe summer-holiday openings historically, not a guaranteed current schedule.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A private smallholding that opens to the public on a limited number of advertised open days. Check the official website for current dates and arrangements before travelling; do not assume the site is open for general access.
Check before visiting
Parking
A community rail listing reports disabled parking on site; call the farm to reserve a bay. Other parking arrangements: Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Food and drink availability: Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Confirm current access arrangements and the suitability of routes with the farm before visiting.
Cost
Paid
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Cassiobury Farm and Fishery
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
