Kinderboerderij d'Oude Smelterij, Petting zoo in Torhout, Belgium
Kinderboerderij d'Oude Smelterij is a farm in Torhout where visitors can touch and feed animals while exploring gardens and fruit trees. The property also contains beehives, composting demonstration areas, and greenhouses throughout the grounds.
The site was once a smeltery but was converted into an educational farm project to bring urban people closer to agriculture. This transformation happened through a partnership between the city and a local organization.
The place functions as a connection point between city dwellers and farm life, where visitors experience how animals are raised and crops are grown. Many people come to understand where their food comes from and how working the land shapes the rhythm of daily seasons.
The farm welcomes visitors on weekdays and weekends during daytime hours, with multiple areas to explore at your own pace. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to wander through different sections without rushing.
The name d'Oude Smelterij refers to its past as an old smelting factory, with industrial buildings now serving as learning spaces. It also serves as a starting point for walking routes that extend into the surrounding countryside around Torhout.
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