Occupying the 19th C. former Kitchen Garden of Tollcross Mansion House in the East End of Glasgow, the Tollcross Children's Farm now forms the principal attraction within Tollcross Park. The farm has an important educational role, providing school groups and other visitors with an understanding of farm animals and their value in terms of food production. In addition to chickens, pigs, rabbits, there are larger farm animals such as Shetland ponies and Shire horses. The farm also provides a home to a few of the award-winning Highland Cattle bred at Pollok Country Park. There are also more unusual species such as Anglo-Nubian and Cashmere goats, llama and peacock, together with rare breeds such as Tamworth pigs and Welsh Badger-Faced, Castlemilk Moorits and Boreray sheep. An aviary houses colourful lovebirds, budgerigars, zebra finches and Java doves, with smaller pens for guinea pigs and chinchilla. The duck pond is home to Muscovy, Mandarin and Mallard ducks.
The Children's Farm has its origins in the deer, working horses and cattle which were introduced c.1900 to give city dwellers a sample of the countryside. A formal Pets' Corner was established in 1971, exhibiting mainly birds and rabbits. In 1980, as part of job-creation project, Pets' Corner was redeveloped and renamed the Children's City Farm with around 100 animals. The courtyard was refurbished in the 1990s and the former East Lodge buildings were developed as a Visitor and Environment Centre. The farm also provides work experience placements.
