Eco-farms of the Leningrad Region
Tired of walking around St. Petersburg? Then you can go explore the Leningrad Region. If you are looking for options on where to go for a weekend trip , our selection of eco-farms will definitely delight you!
Where to buy farm products?
Farm-Cheese Dairy "Derevnya"
A farm 35 km , in the village of Matoksa, where you can get good products. Previously, it was a small home production, but now "Derevnya" has become a young enterprise collaborating with local restaurants and hotels.
When visiting the production, guests can go on an excursion, attend tastings and master classes in cheesemaking. Here you can buy over 20 types of cheese, eggs, and dairy products made from the milk of their own goats, cows, and sheep.
Cheese Dairy of Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg
Rare and familiar varieties of farm cheese are available to residents of St. Petersburg even within the city! The brethren of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, located on Nevsky Prospekt, learned cheesemaking from a master from Sicily, and now locals can taste ricotta, crescenza, provolone, and even Belper Knolle, a curd cheese no longer produced anywhere else in St. Petersburg. So if you have already bought tickets to St. Petersburg and are looking for great gifts for relatives, buy cheeses here without leaving the city.
You can come and buy cheeses at the monastery shop, or sign up for a wine-accompanied tasting. The price for the latter usually starts from 2,000 rubles per person.
Rancho "Rikon"
Initially, the ranch's main goal was to save old horses from slaughter. Then the scale increased — cows and goats appeared here, and the owners focused on dairy production.
Currently, cute chickens, pheasants, horses, and even a donkey live on the territory of "Rikon". So when you decide to come here for farm cheeses and fruits, be sure to bring your children. Ranch workers will definitely organize an excursion and show all their pets. For those who are already 18 years old, a wine tasting can even be arranged.
Where to go with children in the Leningrad Region
Eco-farm "Lyubimovskaya"
The eco-farm is located on the Karelian Isthmus, on the shore of Lake "Lyubimovskoye", in the village of Kozlovo. Guests come here to settle into a cozy house and experience agro-tourism.
For adults, there are fishing spots, the opportunity to rent a boat or kayak to paddle on the lake, and a Russian banya. Children can feed animals, see raccoons, play darts, or go on an organized excursion. By the way, if you are looking for where to go in Russia in autumn, definitely consider this place — from the beginning of October, prices for renting a house here become much lower.
Farm "Zarechye"
"Zarechye" is located on the bank of the Kuksa River in the southern part of the Leningrad Region. Guests choose this recreation center to breathe fresh air surrounded by the forest, ride bikes or horses with children, go fishing, and visit a rope park.
It is believed that these territories have possessed special fertility since the 12th century, which is still noted today. Now apple trees, fruits, and greens grow here, which guests can pick themselves with their children to show them how people live in the countryside. In addition, there is a private farm with rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and goats, whose eggs and milk are served to guests.
"Skotny Dvor" (Farmyard) in the Russian village "Shuvalovka"
If you have already visited Alexandria Park in Peterhof with your children, one of the parks in Russia worth taking children to, and are a bit tired of tourist crowds, it's better to just head closer to nature. The family entertainment center "Shuvalovka" has everything for a soul and body rest with children — a banya and a Russian cuisine restaurant "Shuvalov".
Little guests should definitely visit the "Skotny Dvor" zoo to see the lives of sheep, guinea pigs, foxes, quails, deer, and raccoons. In addition, you can arrange a photo session with animals and even ride horses here.
Family Recreation Park "Zubrovnik"
Perhaps one of the best spots for family recreation is the eco-park "Zubrovnik". People come here with children to feed bison-aurochs, ride horses, let children explore the rope town, or pet rabbits in the mini-zoo.
Adults can ride ATVs or rent a gazebo for a picnic. The owners of the establishment ask visitors to bring cash, as the network signal is poor here.
Village Estate "Kurochka Ryaba"
"Kurochka Ryaba" is also a great option for a family vacation with children in the Leningrad Region. There is a village zoo where kids can feed animals, go on an excursion, drink tea with "sushki" (small, dry bagels), and take photos in themed costumes.
In addition, master classes on painting gingerbread and wooden figures are held here, and excursions to the museum of antiquity, where peasant household items — chests, spinning wheels, and dishes — are displayed. The latter will also be interesting for adults who want to dive into childhood and remember how great it was to visit grandma in the village.
Relax as a couple
Estate "Snow White's Refuge"
The contact zoo "Snow White's Refuge" is located in the village of Shadyritsy. Of course, you can come here with children, there is a discount on the entrance ticket for them, but it's better not to bring toddlers under five years old — the animals are friendly, of course, but it's better not to risk it.
The zoo is home to reindeer, camels, ostriches, porcupines, turkeys, llamas, and even wild boars. All in all, it's quite an interesting location for both children and their parents.
Agritourism Center Kerro Polle
Kerro Polle is a good option for a date. Only 20 km from the KAD (ring road), and so much to do. Here you can ride horses, visit a petting zoo, walk along eco-trails, and stay in a campsite on the lake shore.
In addition, the eco-farm sells gift certificates, so if you want to surprise your significant other on a special date, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
Farm "Usadba Maryino"
The "Usadba Maryino" hotel, with its unique rooms, also has a farm on its territory. Its products usually end up on the tables of guests who come to enjoy nature, visit the SPA, go on an excursion, or visit the stables or a small ostrich farm.
Here is a small list of farm products purchased at "Usadba Maryino" — homemade ryazhenka, butter, goose meat, duck meat, pâtés, cheeses, eggs, and butter. You can only buy food on site by appointment. Most often, customers order products through the online store with pickup in St. Petersburg on the Moika River embankment.
All that's left is to buy train tickets and go, for cheeses and rabbits!
