Tuesday 12 December 2006


Hackney City Farm

Are you looking for a great day out that’s only a few minutes from Leabank Square? Then look no further than Hackney City Farm!

Simply take the number 26 bus from St Mary’s Church – and after about 10 mins you’ll see the Hackney City Farm sign on your right hand side. Hop off – and cross the road to a great, relaxing, family or adult friendly & healthy day out.

The first building you’ll come to as you go down the farm lane – is the old Farmhouse. There is a Time Out Award winning restaurant inside where you can wolf down great all day breakfast (with farm fresh eggs), loads of different pasta dishes, great cakes & delicious Italian coffee.

The farmhouse also hosts many diverse meetings, groups & craft sessions – so check the notice board for current & future activities. But a great one to bring your toddlers to is the Pottery Class on Wednesdays at 2.00pm. They will spend hours shaping amazing works of art with you – and with professional guidance from the staff. You can then leave it to be fired & painted at the next session.

But out in the farmyard is where all the action is. There are ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, donkeys – even pigeons! All the animals – except for one mean turkey – are very friendly & used to humans. You will have hours of fun stroking, chatting to, mimicking, and laughing at all the inhabitants of Hackney City Farm.

There is a secluded orchard & herb garden where you can sit on a bench & read or relax. See how many of the plants you recognise as cooking & eating delicacies.

At the rear of the farm is a sty for gaining access to a small wood with a great cycle track, pond, football pitches, playground & park. The pond is great in spring & summer for pond dipping & netting tadpoles, frogs & newts. Just please put them back into the pond after you’ve studied them.

Why not nip back to the farmhouse for an afternoon cuppa & cake in the café’s garden. It really does feel like you’re on a farm – it’s only when you hear the distant occasional siren or hooter that you remember that you’re in the middle of Hackney.

So if you’re just browsing this Leabank Square site for a few ideas to spend a relaxing day – please remember to check out the Hackney City Farm.

http://www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk/

Oh yes – and another thing – it is free to get in – but it is a charity – so if you’re feeling a bit flush on any of your visits – please drop a couple of quid into the collection box.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just come back from here and found out they also sell fresh farm eggs laid this morning.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!

Delicious - thanks for the advice.

Alex

Leabank Square said...

Did you know that they do pottery classes as well?

For kids - it's on Wed & Sats - and for adults please check the web site as it's about to change.

They do sculpture here to.

I mean proper hammer, chisel & huge piece of stone kind of sculpture.

How about someone do the green in Leabank Square a lovely sculpture?

Just a thought!

Sóna