HACKNEY CITY FARM (London) - official review with video

LOCATION. Nearest Overground station: Hoxton or Cambridge Health, with the farm right in the middle.

If you’re walking from Cambridge Heath, step west along Hackney Road for around seven minutes. The farm will be on your right inside Haggerston Park.

If you’re coming from Hoxton, can also consider visiting the Geffrye Museum of the Home. It’s closed at the moment for renovation; official website shows an expected opening in Spring 2020.


LONDON’S FARM SCENE. If you’re interested in animals but got stuck inside M25, there are many city farms / mini zoos that might satisfy your needs. The Vauxhall City Farm is obviously very conveniently located, while Isle of Doggers can also consider the Mudchute Farm. The latter has the added benefit of a splendid view of Canary Wharf buildings behind the pigs and geese. And they both got llamas.

I’ll reserve the Hanwell Zoo, which is in the middle of a forest, to those who’s willing to get lost for thirty minutes through woods and bees.

HACKNEY CITY FARM (London) 



ANIMAL INTERACTION. The ducks and chicks are on the same side as you. An urban horror story if you’re over and over a city person! So be prepared for close encounters, and don’t come with a false sense of security.

Sooner or later, you’re also find convenience holes here and there. A goat has jumped out from one of these and started following me before heading to his next destination.

LABELLING. The sheep are in the donkey’s ring and pigs are in the sheep’s. So use common sense before consulting the display boards.




Clip: HACKNEY CITY FARM (London) 

CLOSING RITUAL. The farm closes at 4pm. And here comes the best part. Come fifteen minutes before then and staffers will start opening the gates. Hop after hop, the horses and donkeys and goats will return to their barns, unguided.

An impressive back and forth of loaded words and desperate entreating will ensure if any part of the process has failed gracefully. On my day a horsey has stopped walking right in front of her barn. And let’s just say – what follows is hilarious.

The hare and the guinea pigs are fairly well-hid. See if you can find them.

Messenger me for free advice on traveling plans.

Time is asset: save it for better with 25-min museum tours. Or find yourself in my novel, check out the photo of the day and finish it off with a secret prize.


Date of visit: 2019.09

Tags - in_depth_tourism; museum; London_writer; London_travel; indie_writer; independent_blogger

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