Hackney City Farm

Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA, UK
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Experience farming in the heart of the city at Hackney City Farm, where both children and adults can get up close to a wide range of friendly farmyard animals, including pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks. Visitors can see, smell, and plant vegetables, herbs, and other food plants while learning practical skills that promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Activities at the farm include animal encounters, gardening workshops, educational tours on food production and animal care, craft and skills sessions such as pottery and woodworking, and mindfulness and herbal workshops to support mental and physical well-being.

Entry to Hackney City Farm is completely free, providing a welcoming community space for everyone to explore, learn, and enjoy nature while discovering ways to live a happier, healthier life with a lower environmental impact.

If you are looking for Best Farm in Hackney, Greater London then you can visit Hackney City Farm. Hackney City Farm is one of the places in Hackney, Greater London for day out with kids and families. More details can be found on the website for this place.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

  • Animals
    • Pigs: The farm has kept many different breeds of pig over the years. Currently, three crossbred Pietrain sows are bred annually, producing 2–3 litters between March and October when the weather is milder. Regular updates are available on Instagram.
    • Donkey: Willow the donkey arrived in 2022 along with her fluffy foal, Bear. Born in Ireland, Willow gave birth to another foal, Ash, in February 2023. Ash will spend a year at Hackney City Farm. Visitors are encouraged to come and meet them, with updates available on Instagram.
    • Goats: A small herd of pedigree Anglo-Nubians is bred and milked each year. Recognizable by their large roman noses and floppy ears, they enjoy being groomed and petted. The herd often has twins or triplets, with pregnancies starting in late November and births occurring at the end of April.
    • Sheep: The farm keeps a small flock of pedigree Kerry Hill sheep, known for their white faces with distinctive black markings. First lambs were born in 2019. They are excellent mothers but prefer grazing over human interaction. Ewes become pregnant in October and give birth in March. New lambs can be seen from May to July.
    • Ducks: The farm maintains a large flock of 30 ducks from various breeds including Indian Runners, Aylesburys, Cayugas, Silver Appleyards, and Mallards. Some breeds lay eggs seasonally, others year-round. Duck eggs come in different colours and are sometimes available for sale in the farm shop.
    • Geese: A small gaggle of purebred West of England Geese is kept at the farm, including three females and one male. This rare British breed originates from Devon and is auto-sexing, meaning feather colour determines gender. Females lay between 20–30 eggs annually between February and June.
    • Chickens: A large flock of 40 laying hens includes breeds such as Light Sussex, Speckledy, Rhode Island Reds, Blackrocks, Bluebells, Leghorns, Marans, and Commercial Hybrids. Rare breeds and show birds like Buff/black Orpingtons, Brahmas, Silkies, Cream Legbars, Anconas, and Wellsummers are also kept. Eggs are available in the farm shop.
  • Animals for Sale: Some animals are available for sale as pets, not for slaughter. For enquiries, contact: [email protected]
  • Support a Garden: The farm’s garden is open year-round and divided into sections: An orchard with apple, pear, and plum trees, A bog garden filled with wetland plants, Raised beds for vegetables & Herb beds growing varieties such as mint, sage, thyme, and marjoram
  • Pottery Classes: Pottery classes are available for both children and adults on a drop-in basis, with no need to book. Residents help with designing and making clay objects; firing in the kiln is included. Pottery must be collected within 6 weeks; unclaimed items are recycled.
  • Woodworking: Learn green woodworking skills such as making cooking utensils with London Green Wood. Children can learn whittling during school holidays, and various workshops are held outdoors.
  • Psychotherapy: Gaia Therapy Project offers affordable psychotherapy and counselling services, providing weekly sessions for individuals for up to one year. The aim is to create a supportive community where people feel welcome to explore life’s challenges.
  • Using Herbs: Hackney Herbal runs workshops to teach visitors how to grow, use, and enjoy herbs throughout the seasons. Sessions also cover the history and use of essential oils.
  • Bike Maintenance: Hackney Bike Workshop offers repair sessions on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 19:00–21:00. Volunteer mechanics assist with maintenance, and donations toward tools and costs are appreciated.
  • Arts Classes: Hackney Fine Arts provides drawing and painting classes for young people and adults. Sessions cover advanced techniques and are held after school, on weekends, and during holidays. All materials are provided, and more details can be found on their website.

Facilities

  • There is on street parking locally
  • Guide dogs
  • Toilets and baby changing
  • Shop

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Entry to Hackney City Farm is free. Donations are welcome.
  • For groups of more than 10, or have special needs, please book in advance.
  • £1Children’s Pottery: 
    • Wednesdays 15:00–17:00: £5 per child
    • Sundays (multiple sessions): £10 (11:30–13:00), £5 (13:00–14:00), £10 (14:00–15:30)
    • Adult Pottery: £20 per session (Wednesdays and Thursdays, 19:00–21:00)

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Kids’ Birthday Party Venue:

  • Available Slots: Saturday or Sunday: Morning: 10:00 – 13:00 & Afternoon: 13:30 – 16:30
  • Price: £120 for 3 hours
  • Birthday Party Guidelines
    • Pack up at least 30 minutes before the end of the session to allow for tidying up.
    • The room must be left clean and tidy. Bin bags are provided for waste disposal.
    • A late fee of £50 for every 30 minutes applies if the room is not vacated on time.
    • Bring your own music, food, and soft drinks. No wifi, no speakers, no access to a kitchen or fridge.
  • Party Rules & Restrictions
    • Suitable for children’s parties only with a maximum of 35 people (including children).
    • The front garden is off-limits during the party.
    • No glitter, confetti, or smoke machines allowed.
    • Balloons must be deflated at the end of the event.
    • Please respect the next group’s booking and staff working hours by finishing on time.
  • Room Facilities: The room includes:
    • Four 6ft fold-up tables
    • Five children’s tables
    • 20 adult chairs
    • 15 children’s chairs
    • Bin bags provided for waste disposal
  • Book Your Party: Start planning an unforgettable birthday at Hackney City Farm with plenty of space, fun, and animals nearby. For more information or to book, visit https://hackneycityfarm.co.uk/product/birthday-party-room-hire/
  • Tuesdays to Sundays: 10:00–16:30
  • Closed Mondays except bank holidays
  • Some activities happen during the evenings, see what's on for classes.

Address: Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA, UK

Post Code: E2 8QA

Council: Hackney

County: Greater London

Getting Here

  • By Tube and Bus: Transport for London provides journey planning tools to help visitors reach the farm by public transport. [Plan a journey]
  • By Car: There are no car parking facilities on site, and local parking is limited. Car parking near the farm : Limited meter parking may be available on nearby streets.
  • By Bicycle: Bike racks are provided outside the farm for secure parking.

 

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