Spitalfields City Farm is in the East End of London, and is not a million miles away from Hackney City Farm, that I've visited several times. It's also near Stepney City Farm, which I haven't been to, but I do intend to in the future. I had a bit of a day out in this area, and this was my third tourist attraction of the morning. The farm is free to enter (although donations are always welcome) and easily accessible via public transport (always important as I don't drive.) I started my day out by coming from Bethnal Green Underground Station- which is in walking distance- and left via Whitechapel Station (even nearer).
Here is the entrance to the farm; with a handy map. The farm dates back to 1978, when it was created in response to locals mouring the loss of their allotments, due to building developments in the area.
Another beautiful donkey welcomes you, and the Rosebery Tea Hut is next to this, selling specialist coffees and locally sourced snacks. Sadly, it was closed when I was here.
A lone sunflower still hanging on for dear life! It was a very crisp November day when I visited, with temperatures not far above freezing.
There is a little shop to the right, selling produce grown on the farm plus handcrafted gifts and some inviting-looking chilli sauce, in a variety of flavours. Many items are produced locally- there is a real community feel about this place.😀
Wooden donkeys for children to play on, plus a seating area behind that...
The first animal I saw was this lovely, friendly pig who, according to the farm's website, is called Holmes. Named after Sherlock, perhaps?
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How are ewe?!😁
This is Beatrix, who lost her ear in a dog fight when she was little. The farm contains rare breed and rescue animals, and its aim is to promote animal awareness and welfare.
The farm has the status of being a Rare Breeds Survival Trust conservation city farm.
This is Hamish, a regular competitor in the Goat Race. He's considered cheeky and charming.
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All of the hedgerows here are wildlife and stock friendly...
No, I wasn't looking in the mirror! Here's a scarecrow, doing its job...
Walking through into the garden, and there's more seating here. The farm is looked after by both staff and volunteers.
Garlic and mustard being grown, and there are warnings telling you not to pick the produce- it is all available for sale in the shop here!
Cloches, and workers were tending the plants in this area, and I always try not to photograph people minding their own business. A reviewer described the workers as "miserable" and complained that none of them smiled back at him. Well, I've got news for him- they were no doubt busy with their tasks, and are not put there to entertain you.
Another seating area, around a totem pole. The farm really is a lovely place to spend an hour.
A closer view, and children can attend a woodworking session, evoking the spirit of animals.
A slanting tree, within a protective circle. The farm is sited on a former railway goods depot, and is very close to the railway line. In fact, the peacefullness of the farthest reaches of the farm is only broken by the sound of trains rumbling past.
The Bug Hotel, and you can sit in here and chill out for a bit if you want...
The rare-breed Bagot goat (the black and white fellow to the right) is visible from this angle of the goats' paddock, and his name is Rocket.
In contrast, back at the centre of the farm music was pumping out of the building behind the direction post!
You can hire the building for parties, weddings, company events and for film and photography shoots. The farm was granted charitable status in 1980, and has to generate income by various means.
The Bug Hotel, and you can sit in here and chill out for a bit if you want...
Three ex-commercial hens and Jack, the cockerel. He's easily visible from his spectacular colouring. In the animal world, of course, it's the boys who are the most attractive...
There is also a rural pond by the entrance, which houses dragon-like Great Crested Newts, but I must have wandered past it without seeing it...
Beautiful rabbits, and rabbits are socialble animals who need to have at least one other rabbit for company. Two of 'em are named as Orange and Tempo on the website, but I'm not so sure that these are them- they were born in 2015, and rabbits live for 5-8 years.
The ferrets, Honey and Mustard were elusive, and didn't want to come and say hello. Maybe they were sleeping- ferrets sleep for 18 hours a day.
The farm also has a cat named June, but I didn't see her- I think it was a bit too cold for her, and I didn't spot her hanging out near the warmer shop/ café areas.
One reviewer called the farm "a shanty town" and a "muddy mess" and I think that's rather unfair. It is a working environment, after all, and farms are never going to be all neat and tidy and "just so." Animals are not remote controlled, and good luck with telling them what to do and expecting the same result (even with trained animals) every time!
If you're interested in Hackney City Farm, here is my blog link:-
And here is my vlog link:-
Spitalfields City Farm is a fantastic little place. It's certainly somewhere I'd pop back to- if only to see if the ferrets want to put in an appearance, search out the pond and newts, and try and spot that blasted cat!
Until then,
TTFN,
Miss Elaineous
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