Just beyond Vauxhall train station, in the shadow of the MI5 headquarters is a family-friendly oasis you would find hard to believe existed in central London. It is a place filled with the sounds of…farm life. Not something you would associate with inner city life but there lies Vauxhall City Farm.
Until my friend suggested it as a meeting point for a play date, I had never heard of it before. Who would imagine that in such an urban area, there would be a farm? Believe it or not it has been there for 35 years, set up by local residents to provide a community space. London is just full of surprises.
After a five minute walk from the station we came to a pleasant pedestrianised area with a large patch of green space, a playground, a tea room and there in front of us was the farm. Outside two donkeys were grazing and an unassuming tatty sign indicated the entrance.
It’s only a small place but a surprising urban haven for children – which is free to explore. At first we encountered a giant rabbit, some chickens and happened to be there when one of the horses was having a haircut. The farm offers pony and horse riding for children, including the disabled, and is the most central riding school in London.
There were plenty of signs warning you to wash your hands and a big sink area. We didn’t feed or pet any of the animals and having read the warnings on the website about E.Coli and pregnant women touching the animals, I kept my gloves firmly on and hands off the fences and animals.
Mrs T seemed to like the sheep best – although not the black ones! Poor things.
There were alpacas and llamas too which were my favourites but despite a picture sign explaining the difference – I still couldn’t work it out. They are incredibly cute though.
At the end of May, Vauxhall City farm will look rather different. Work is underway to build a new cafe and education centre. The farm is running some special events during May half term to celebrate the opening. I look forward to visiting again when it has undergone its revamp.
Vauxhall City Farm was a wonderful find in the centre of London and went down very well with my three year old daughter. We didn’t stay there for very long (it is only small) but the farm (which is a charity) runs many events throughout the year and it is clearly a very important space for children to learn and get educated on nature and farm life. We had a great time there and I loved seeing my daughter enjoy herself and learn a bit about the various animals.
Before our visit we had a lovely brunch at the nearby Tea House Theatre – which serve a wide selection of teas and cakes. I highly recommend checking out this very child-friendly place.
The large room is set up for families with children hugely welcomed. A big toy box filled to the brim sits in one corner while a sign in the ladies toilet makes it clear who is boss when it comes to feeding your babies. I was very impressed!
Vauxhall City is free to enter and open Tuesday – Sunday 10.30 – 4pm
Why not pin for later?
If you enjoyed this article, you can download it to – along with other city guides – as an app at GPSmyCity.
You may also enjoy reading…
Trip To Hounslow Urban Farm
Coram’s Fields: A Children’s Park In London
Strawberry Picking at Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey
Ahh, that’s our local 🙂 Unfortunately the Tea House does not serve coffee otherwise I’d probably be there a lot more often! I can also recommend the Black Dog pub opposite the Tea House for lunch. They are very child friendly and the food is excellent.
Katy recently posted…Learning letterpress printing with Harrington & Squires
Oh wow…I didn’t realise you were so close! You’re lucky to have something like that on your doorstep! Thanks for the lunch tip – may have to try that next time! x
There are such amazing city farms in London although I’ve visited do few of them – I’d always heard good things about Vauxhall though. And the Tea House sounds even rarer – a real find!
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Meet the animals at Gwel An Mor, Cornwall
The two together were a very pleasant surprise indeed Cathy. Definitely worth a visit. x
That looks incredible, how I didn’t know about it when I was looking at things to do in Clapham I don’t know, Vauxhall was only a bus ride away!! The tea shop as well, yum 🙂 x
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks recently posted…My Personal Fitness Challenge To Run 310 Miles
It’s amazing the hidden gems lying in the urban sprawl of London. When are you back in Blightly? x
We love it here – the whole area is such a little gem, with the open spaces and that wonderful cafe! There’s a really nice veggie restaurant on the other side too.
Thanks for the tip! I really enjoyed it there too – so glad I finally found it!
all of this is in central London!?! wow!! That’s impressive in and of itself!
I know! It’s amazing x
That’s probably the weirdest and surprising thing you can ever find in the middle of the city but it’s quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever seen. Awesome! You don’t need to go all the way out to the country to experience a farm-feel.
I can’t tell the difference between alpacas and llamas too. :p
Pinay Flying High recently posted…Doha | Friday Brunch at City Centre Rotana Doha
Haha! I was very impressed at finding it too. A great way to experience a farm animal… Glad I’m not the only one who can’t tell the difference x
This is super interesting and handy to know about. I always just imagine pubs, rainy streets, red phone boxes ;), but who would have thought of a farm. That’s is a great tip for the next trip to London, I love to mix it up between sightseeing and nature! Thanks for sharing :).
Sarah recently posted…THE LAST DAYS OF WINTER: SKIING IN BOŽÍ DAR
Haha… Then it’s perfect for you. X
Didn’t know you’d find this in London 🙂
beatravelling recently posted…Oh Alexandria, How I Adore You!!
I know – a real surprise
Wow, yeah, I’d have no idea a place like this would be in the center of London! How fun for families, and it maybe even more amazing that it’s all free! Thanks for this bit of the country in a truly #citytripping experience!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…Vienna Waits For You
I know! Although London is expensive there are so many great places & museums to visit which are free! Xx
It’s fab that this is a FREE attraction – although small, there still looks like there is lots of fun to be had and animals to enjoy. Maybe worth adding to your itinarary for a stay in London if you are trying to save some pennies as an alternative to a park/museum x
There are so many places in London which are free – it’s great – definitely a good option to get outside and enjoy a bit of nature in the capital x
First time I’ve heard about it too and looks like a great place, looking forward to seeing what it’s like with the new education centre as well! I’m always amazed at all the new places I keep finding out about in this city, so much to see and do. That’s great that they also offer pony and horse riding lessons. The Tea House sounds like a lovely place too! Thanks for sharing!
I think the education centre will be a fab addition so I’ll look forward to returning! I love discovering new places in London!
I was not expecting this to be in London! Come to think of it, I can’t tell the difference between alpacas and llamas either, haha.
Vlad recently posted…10 Fun Things To Do In Bucharest
Haha – glad it is not just me- it is confusing
We were quite closeby and never made it here, and I really have no idea why given that I a) knew all about it and b) have a son who is obsessed by animals. Now I am even more annoyed with myself as it looks great!
Mama Herself recently posted…The Museum of Moscow
Haha – sometimes it’s the places close to you that you don’t end up visiting…I guilty of that…thinking ‘I can go there any time’ then it never happens!
Interesting! Even the name sounds like something that doesn’t make sense (city farm). I am glad authorities let a place like this exist. I know of some places with very thought laws about animals (other than dogs, cats, bird, etc.) in an urban environment.
Ruth recently posted…Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
I know…it’s a bit of an oxymoron. It was really good to see that the animals were clearly well looked.
I love gems like this, tucked away in places you would not imagine. Fabulous that it is having money invested in it too. #CountryKids
Cheryl | TimeToCraft recently posted…Fyne Court
It’s great when you find those hidden gems. Really interested to see how it looks when the work is finished.
What a lovely oasis to have in London. And so brilliant that it is free too. I also love the ethos of the cafe, sounds like a lovely place to have a spot of cake and tea 🙂 #countrykids
Emma recently posted…The Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor, Jersey
They are both great places to visit – so glad I found them!
Oh wow it is only when I reached the last photo that I get a real perspective for just how close to the city centre the farm is. A great facility though and a lovely way for kids to be able to visit a farm without needing a car trip out to the country. Looks like a lovely visit, I hope they manage to sort out their welcome sign, it does look a little abandoned and doesn’t do the farm justice. Alpaca and lama are confusing, we have alpaca here, they are not the most friendly animals but full of character. Thank you for linking your visit up with me on #CountryKids
Yes, I’m hoping that the revamp will make it look a bit more appealing. I’m surprised about the Alpaca not being friendly- they are very cute!
It really is a brilliant find – I hadn’t heard of it! Will definitely be keeping this in the banks for something different to do! Mmm maybe this weekend… Thanks for hosting #citytripping, sorry I am so late this week!
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Monday Escapes #32
Haha – no worries Ting. It’s definitely worth knowing about…and because it is so close to the station – handy to pop by for a bit before exploring somewhere else.
What a gem! Urban farms have such an important role to play in being a bit of the countryside to the city. The tea rooms sound fab too. Good for them on the breastfeeding policy 🙂 #countrykids
Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted…#TravelTimehop series edition #12 – The Weekend Tourist
You’re right Claire – city farms are really beneficial for the local community and particularly children who may not get the opportunity to otherwise. I was very impressed with the tea room!
That’s amazing that there is a farm in the middle of London.
You should definitely go back after the revamp. It’s probably going to grow bigger and better ever time. You really wouldn’t expect this to be in the city. What a great place to go and meet animals. Living in the country you take for granted that you don’t have these opportunities so much in the city. x
Chloe recently posted…CURIOUS LITTLE EXPLORERS #13
Yes, will definitely go visit after the revamp. It’s a fab place to be able to visit and for kids to learn a bit more about animals and farm life.
It looks like a great place to visit, I love alpacas and llamas, pal though I can’t remember the difference either! The tea house sounds like the perfect place for lunch and I loooove that sign, it’s so nice to see breastfeeding mums openly welcomed. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves recently posted…New Paw Patrol Magazine Review
I know! That’s what I thought – really liked the ethos there.