Hågelby 4H-gård Travel Guide

Hågelby 4H-gård sits as a welcoming pocket of countryside within bustling Hågelbyparken in Tumba, Botkyrka. This small urban farm brings the rhythms of rural life close to city dwellers, featuring a lively array of animals including sturdy horses, fluffy sheep, playful goats, curious mini pigs, clucking chickens, hopping rabbits, and affectionate cats. The pastures hum with activity as these creatures graze under open skies, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into farmstead harmony just moments from Stockholm's suburbs.

Daily, from roughly 9am, the animals emerge into their expansive hagar, or pastures, staying out until around 4pm in warmer months and 3pm during cooler seasons. Spring and summer extend their outdoor time, with horses and sheep roaming freely, while autumn and winter see some preferring the warmth of stables on chilly or rainy days. In July, most head to summer pastures elsewhere, leaving pigs, chickens, and rabbits to hold court in the park. This natural ebb and flow mirrors true farm cycles, inviting observers to witness feeding, grooming, and quiet grazing.

Operated by a nonprofit 4H members' club with dedicated staff support, the farm has thrived since relocating to Hågelbyparken in 2005 from its earlier home as Alhagens 4H, active in Botkyrka since 1976. It emphasizes hands-on learning about animal husbandry, welcoming school groups, preschools, and special needs visitors during mornings. Afternoons buzz with member-led courses in horse care, driving carts, mini pig interactions, and small animal tending, all grounded in 4H's ethos of head, heart, hands, and health.

Beyond casual viewing, the gård sparks engagement through camps on school holidays, birthday parties, guided visits, and open houses with crafts like luffarslöjd, horse brushing, trick training demos, and enrichment feeding for pigs and goats. Families join in decorating gingerbread or exploring stalls, creating memorable bonds with nature. Prohibited from feeding animals directly, visitors instead absorb knowledge from info boards and staff, enhancing respect for these gentle beings.

Integrated into Hågelbyparken's broader landscape, the farm complements cafes, craft shops, and walking paths. Nearby Café Anna Giertz serves lunches and coffee, while toilets, drinking water, and free WiFi ensure comfort. The park's year-round openness frames the gård in meadows, woods, and ponds, amplifying its role as a serene escape where urbanites reconnect with earth's simple pleasures amid Sweden's gentle seasons.