First of all, I think it’s wonderful that I can go see a farm while still being in London. On Sunday I wanted to do something out of the house, but I didn’t want to do the usual things. I was feeling tired of crowds and museums and loafing around. I found a list of “alternative” things to do in London and Hackney City Farm caught my eye. I could be outside, I didn’t have to book anything, it was free, and only a short ride away. Yes please.

To get there I took the overground to Hoxton and walked about 1/3 mile the rest of the way. The farm is also accessible from the tube using the Bethnal Green stop and then also walking about 1/3 mile. The actual farm is located inside Haggerston Park. As I walked through I saw people having picnics and playing tennis. When I arrived at the farm there were a few families and small groups of adults. The clear lack of crowds was a huge plus. I also immediately saw lots of animals. Squeal!

I liked that the animals were mixed in together. I know almost nothing about farming, but the set up seemed friendly, the animals had room to roam, and everything I read about sustainable happy animal farming seems to say that mixed use and shared spaces are the best. So anyway, it seemed a good signs that the ducks, chickens, sheep, and goats were all chilling together. A donkey was nearby too. 

The first animals I saw were goats. This little kid was feeding them bread (I’m not sure if that was even allowed), but that’s why they are so eager looking and close to the fence. The goats are a beautiful tawny color which I haven’t seen much before. Nearby were some sheep relaxing in some shade with ducks and chickens noisily wandering around and poking in everyone’s business.

I was really hoping to see some pigs during my visit. I love pigs. I have loved pigs since I was a little girl. I think they are cute and amusing. I collect things with pigs on them, I have a whole Pinterest board of cute pigs, and I barely eat pork products because 6 year old me decided I shouldn’t (in recent years this has gotten lax). I love pigs. And when I told my friend Katerina that I went to this farm she asked, “did you see the huge pigs?” The answer: a pouty no.

There was a big mound of dirt and lots of signs with facts about the pigs. But no pigs. Why? It was hot and pigs don’t have sweat glands. They were hiding in this shed (photo above) to stay cool. You can see the chickens were hanging out in the shade too. Inside you can just make out a pig leg. Sigh. So no pigs this time, but I’ll be back to see them another time. I did see Charlotte’s web though. And by that I mean, I saw an elaborate spider’s web outside of the pig pen, so naturally it’s Charlotte’s Web. Since I have a new fancy camera I wanted to see if I could get a clear shot of the web. So here it is. It’s artsy, and also gross, in it’s own way.

But anyway, instead of pigs I became mildly obsessed with the chickens and roosters. I’m thirty years old, I know what a rooster looks like. But also, I had no idea how beautiful roosters are! They are so colorful! That vibrant red cockscomb, the blue wing feathers, and the jaunty jade tail feathers. This bird is faaancy! I saw more than one rooster and I thought they were all gorgeous, but the one below was my favorite. I also heard some authentic “cock-a-doodle-doo’s” which pleased my city-mouse heart to no end.

I liked the chickens first because of how colorful they were! I know that chickens can be white, brown, yellow, black, and with lots of other color combinations. However, I hardly ever see those chickens. I really enjoyed getting to see different varieties of chickens. I also like that they were just everywhere. Sure, it was a little freaky that they were just right there next to me. And sometimes when I was taking a picture I’d hear crowing so close it felt like it was in my ear. And yes, the nervous-around-animals side of me had the small panics of “oh my God is it going to come peck my feet off?!” But the normal side of me loved it. I loved that the chickens owned the place and could really be free range and come and go as they liked. I saw them leave the coop, walk around the farm, and pop in to different pens with other animals. I even saw one chicken find and eat a worm. That’s the kind of hipster foodie thing people advocate for, so I enjoyed seeing it. I also saw some baby chicks scampering around inside, which you can see in the bottom right photo above.

In addition to animals, the farm also has a garden. It’s a smallish plot, but lovely to walk around in. I enjoyed the informative signs that explained what plants were and why some things were planted and kept together. Ripening all around me I saw raspberries, apples, squash, tomatoes, and chard. The ladybug stone is very cute and was next to a pond where apparently tadpoles had just been born. I couldn’t see anything exciting there, but I like that a plain pond had life in it. Also I didn’t know that apple could grow in big bunches. I thought apples grew… independently with space around them. But, I saw a bunch of apples so I learned something new.

While walking by a tree called the Wishing Tree I saw a number of little kids playing. One of them, about four years old, walked up to me and offered me a handful of dirt while saying something unintelligible. It felt like being at work where kids do weird things and I just have to roll with it. In the end, he only gave me one stone out of the pile. Go figure. Also, I saw this tomato plant with wool in the bottom of the pot. Why do you think the wool is there? Is it to insulate it? Or to keep the water in? I really don’t know, I might have to do some research.

After the garden, I went into the shop. They sell cute farm-themed kids toys, books about bees and composting, and branded t-shirts and bags. Additionally, they also sell eggs, honey, produce from the garden, and some potted tomatoes. A small bag of potatoes was just 80p which I thought was an incredible deal. The farm also has a pottery studio with drop-in classes for both adults (£15 per class) and children (£5 per class). It was closed while I was there, but I peaked in the window and the studio looked spacious, bright, and like a lot of fun. I’ve never used a pottery wheel, but it seemed like a fun thing to try. After walking around it seems like most people end their visit in Frizzante, the cafe at Hackney City Farm. The decor is cozy and contains a mix of well loved wooden furniture. The menu is Italian focused and uses local and seasonal ingredients. It’s a great place to sit and rest your feet after wandering around the farm. If you’re visiting on a Sunday and still  have energy after the farm, my friends have recommended walking onward to the Columbia Road Flower Market. I didn’t know it was so close and so didn’t do this, but maybe for a future Tourist Tuesday I’ll go – and also return to the farm to see the pigs.

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I have a bad habit. During the work week I don’t have a lot of access to natural light. I stare jealously at the sunshine that’s trying to peak through the cloudy skylights and wish I was outside. I savor my walk to and from the tube just because that’s the majority of the time I get outside. But then, on the weekend I’m tired and lazy and all I want to do is be un-showered in my pajamas at home. It’s a bad habit.

So this weekend, I was doing just that and relaxing when the sun shone through the window and mocked my lethargy. Go outside, said the voice in my head, weekday Mariel will be so mad if you squander this day. Fine, true, yes, let’s go outside, I said to myself. So I Googled “things to do in Islington,” because that’s the area where I live and I found the New River Walk. I put on my flip flops and went to enjoy the walk. Side note: flip flops was a terrible idea! It was the first time I’d worn them for the season and I wore them for a long walk and now my feet are all cut up. Sigh, rookie mistake.

I was drawn to the New River Walk because I’d be able to go near some water while staying close to home. The walk is part of a larger path, and it was originally an aqueduct (from 1613) that brought water from Hertfordshire to North London. If you’re curious, you can read about the whole path here.

What I love about this park, and actually a lot of parks in London, is that it’s a place to go where you feel like you’re outside of the city. London is always full and bustling and sometimes that’s overwhelming. It’s wonderful to find a place where you can see ducks splashing in the water, walk under gorgeous hanging swamp cypress trees, and feel the sun on your face. It was truly lovely. Now I hope you’re enjoying the pictures and wistfully sighing while you’re inside at work (like me).

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