Farms aren’t just about little or giant paw friends. And, this oldest and most famous City Farm in Vauxhall, London, indeed proves it.
From being around paw pals, closely watching them to stepping into their lives and showering them with love and care. Furthermore, it gives you an exceptional learning experience while giving you therapeutic moments with fur buddies.
Whether you want to learn about friendly species, plants or foods. Or, want to get your skills high in horse riding and, spend some time talking with your furry friends. Here, you can do it all.
Contribute or engage in the activities and be a part of City Farm in Vauxhall. Besides, the community is huge and, ways of joining are endless.
Let’s dive into its life and learn how you can be part of the lovely family of City Farm in Vauxhall.
1. About City Farm in Vauxhall
Vauxhall City Farm is one of the oldest farms in central London. Opened back in 1977, it has come a long way. Starting with a small plot for growing vegetables for families and livestock, it has developed to be a haven for around 100 furry pals.
An urban farm in the countryside of London, where you get a unique experience of rural life.
With the support of staff and volunteers of City Farm in Vauxhall, you not only get to shower love and care on fur pals but also get educational and therapeutic experiences.
With around 50,000 visitors every year, this famous farm in Vauxhall is working towards building a strong community offering them recreational opportunities.
Furthermore, it is not only spreading environmental awareness but also helping people of London and all around the globe to improve their mental and physical health.
2. Animals of City Farm in Vauxhall
Vauxhall City Farm in London is taking care of and grooming around 100 pet pals. Whether you wanna cuddle small fur pals or befriend bigger ones, City Farm in Vauxhall has it all.
Here are some of the buddies that you can get a sight of:
- Alpacas
- Aviary Birds
- Chickens
- Chinchillas
- Ducks
- Farm Cats
- Goats
- Guinea Pigs
- Rats
- Sheep
- Turkeys
- Rabbits
3. What Makes City Farm in Vauxhall Special?
From volunteering to learning programmes, Vauxhall City Farm holds numerous events and workshops, making your every visit special.
Whether you want to have some cuddling time with little furry buddies or be their caretaker for a day, you will get everything you need. Check out these specialties that you can try out your hands on.
3.1 Mobile Farms
Not able to visit the location personally? Don’t worry! Because Vauxhall City Farm takes care of all your concerns.
The Mobile Farms lets you spend time with friendly animals without physically visiting the location.
The service is for both small and big animals. Furthermore, staff and volunteers will always be present to assist you at every step.
However, charges may vary depending on the location, time, and whether you opt for small or big fur buddies.
To get a better understanding of prices, click here.
3.2 Horse Riding Session
Whether you want to try horse riding or brush up your skills, the Horse Riding session will be the best choice.
Riding sessions are divided into three levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. So, you can choose the right session based on your skill level.
Also, apart from choosing levels, you can opt for Group Riding Lessons or Private Riding Lessons depending on your needs.
Browse through their official website to know about terms & conditions and to get the updated details.
3.3 Corporate Offer
Most of the Vauxhall City Farm’s offers and programmes are for children or young people. But, that doesn’t mean corporate folks should be left behind.
So, if you are a corporate employee, be ready to dive into therapeutic life and immerse yourself in the embrace of nature.
Also, if you are looking to have a short meeting with your team with a little touch of nature, then, hiring event spaces will cater to all your wants.
And, when your stomach starts growling, take a step towards Faith’s Place and The Old Dairy Cafe, where you will be served tasty delights and sparkling wines.
3.4 Events & Filming
Looking to make your birthday special, or trying to find a perfect location for your film shooting? Then, undoubtedly, Vauxhall City Farm is all you need.
Those looking for hiring spaces for events check here, and filmmakers out there, understand your location better for your next film project or photo shoot here.
4. Activities at City Farm in Vauxhall
Vauxhall City Farm has not only been providing shelter and a better life for furry members but also giving its members and visitors a new experience.
Moreover, more than a mere moment spent together with furry folks, by engaging in several activities, you get to connect with them at a deeper level.
Additionally, here, you not only get to manage the cafe and shop, and brush up your skill set but also get to learn about the different activities, making your learning horizon expand.
Here are some ways in which people are expanding their learning horizons.
4.1 Workshops
Vauxhall City Farm is working with a mission to provide learning opportunities to people. From children of age 5 years old to adults of age 25 years old, the varieties of programmes cater to all age groups.
Let’s dive into the learning programmes it has created for its visitors.
Firstly, we have workshops. Through workshops, visitors get hands-on experience with different activities. Whether it is to take a closer look or be involved in the process itself, workshops are the best option.
Here is the list of workshops that you can participate in.
4.1.1 Minibeasts
In the Minibeasts workshop, you get to dive into nature and learn about various habitats and ecosystems. Within this workshop, you get to explore ecological gardens.
The workshop is divided into two key phases. In Stage 1, you will be learning about the environment, and run your mind to identify different habitats.
Then, Stage 2 will revolve around pond dipping. Where you will work on classifying various plants you encounter.
4.1.2 Land to Lunchbox
Ever been curious about the food on your plate? Where does it come from? Then, the Land to Lunchbox workshop will answer all your queries.
With the Land to Lunchbox workshop, you learn about the food production process and the journey of food right from being raw to your plate.
The workshop is divided into two segments covering all the aspects that will make you make better food choices.
To begin with, the first stage covers the food origin. And, here you will learn about all the sources food comes from.
On one hand, where stage 1 gives you an overview, stage 2 will take you on a much deeper level. As a result, you will be learning about origins in-depth and get an insight into farmed foods.
So, join the Land to Lunchbox workshop and make your diet a healthy one.
4.1.3 Meet the Animals
A farm is incomplete without furry friends. And to make your visit special, next on the list, we have kept a Meet the Animals workshop.
As the name says, in this workshop, you will be moving on from gardens and food to seeing furry residents.
In this workshop, you are guided by their Education Facilitators throughout your tour. Moreover, they will brief you on different species and give you interesting facts about them.
The workshop allows you to choose from their learning themes. From diet to habitats, life cycles to adaptations, you can learn anything you want.
You will be provided with food, so that, you can feed your little farm buddies and bond in a close relationship.
4.1.4 Sustainability
Last, in the workshop list we have the Sustainability Workshop. The world is taking steps towards various sustainable habits to reduce carbon footprints. Similarly, to make the planet Earth a better place to live, it prepares you to be part of it through its Sustainability Workshop.
Through the Sustainability workshop, you will learn about the impacts of importing food and all the measures to make your choices in favour of the planet.
Like all other workshops, this one is also divided into two stages. To begin with, Stage 1 will cover the recycling part, where you will learn methods of reducing carbon footprint.
While, at stage 2, you will be taught about food systems. In addition, at stage 2, you will also get to try your hands at composting.
Note: All the workshops last for approximately 90 Minutes. And, a group can have a maximum of 30 students. Also, ensure that you are not bringing any outside food into the premises.
4.2 Programmes & Training
Whether you want to level up your skills or boost your learning to get job-ready. With City Farm’s programmes and training, you surprisingly get to do everything you want.
4.2.1 Employability Programmes
Employment opportunities aren’t limited to the fancy titles that we all have heard of. In fact, farming, agriculture and food also hold numerous job opportunities. And these employability programmes make you aware of that.
Here are some of the programmes that you can be part of.
- The New Shoots
First and foremost, on the list, we have New Shoots. Through this people between the age group of 16-25 years old work on building confidence and self-esteem.
This programme makes you meet new people and enhances your skills for your next job. Furthermore, you will be learning along with practical experience and knowledge.
The New Shoots Programme is completely free and lasts for 4 weeks, where you will be engaging 3 days a week.
- The ROOTED
Moving on, next, we have ROOTED (Resilience to Overcome Obstacles Threatening Educational/Emotional Development). This programme focuses on personal development.
People between the age group of 8-18 years old can participate in it. The participants will get to work on their confidence and emotional well-being.
Additionally, they get to learn to identify their success goals and overcome barriers.
Groups for the ROOTED programme can have up to 12 members. And, the programme runs for a total of 6 weeks, where, participants attend 2-3 hour sessions every week.
- The SOIL
The third position in the list is secured by the SOIL programme or Sensory Opportunities, Inspiring Learning Programme.
Under the SOIL programme, people engage in different activities on the farm getting a therapeutic experience.
Additionally, the members will be engaged in activities ranging from growing, and cooking, to taking care of furry folks. Moreover, all these activities are incorporated to enhance participants’ personal development.
The SOIL is a 6 weeks long programme, where participants will be working 2-3 hours every week.
Apart from the above workshops, visitors can also participate in The Kickstart Scheme and Get Started. These are focused on folks between 16-25 years old. Under these programmes, participants get training to enhance their skills for employability.
4.2.2 Summer School Programmes
Under this programme, children are engaged in several learning activities outside school hours. Tied up with several local schools, it strives to bring the best out of its programmes.
And if you want to engage your kids in some fun activities during their summer breaks or school holidays, then its Summer School Programme will be the best option.
Both these programmes cover several learning sessions revolving around gardening, dairy products, insects and a lot more.
5. Be a Part of the Vauxhall City Farm Family
Vauxhall City Farm is an independent charity and is being run with the help of donations and volunteers.
Help the Farm in giving a better life to furry buddies by donating a small amount here. And, if you are not in a situation to do so, then check out these ways to help out both the farm and your little farm buddies.
Donations are not the only way you can support the farm. So, why not be a volunteer and be a part of the local community?
Whether you want to get a farm experience outside your school hours, or you want to take your employees closer to nature, City Farm in Vauxhall has options for all the needs.
A group of employees can be part of the community under Corporate Volunteering. Likewise, single participants can enrol through the Volunteering for Individuals programme.
Individual Volunteers will have to enrol through different programmes depending on the group they fall into. For more details, you can check it out here.
6. Shopping at Vauxhall City Farm
Vauxhall City Farm offers its visitors numerous things. For instance, from engagement in the community to learning sessions.
Whether you want to adopt furry friends or just spend some with them. Get their merch or take care of furry babies. You can also, shop for the experiences you want to be part of here.
However, if you are looking forward to adopting farm animals and contributing to managing the farm, do check out your options here.
But, if you just want to spend some time and engage in taking care of the paw family, then buying farm experiences will be the right fit for you. For more details, check out the official website and know what’s more there for you.
Conclusion
City Farm in Vauxhall is indeed a great place where you get a touch of rural life in the city. It is a step closer to the embrace of nature and a lovely time with fur buddies.
Additionally, you get lessons to learn about the environment and sessions to engage with animal care.
From friendly goats to furry sheep, lazy pigs to cuddly ferrets. From tasty treats to therapy riding centre, it has got a lot under its belt.
So, this vacation or weekend, why not visit this heavenly destination of Central London and be part of support programmes? Here, you will witness all the sights of the countryside in London, and immerse in the lives of fur buddies.
Whether if a family trip or weekend date, take your family out for a date, and watch chicks hatch or get a sight of rare breed sheep.
Additionally, don’t forget to savour your taste buds with tasty delights at Cafe of London, upskill yourself with practical experiences and, capture all the sights of lovely spotty pigs.
The reasons are endless, but the destination remains the same, your one and only, City Farm in Vauxhall.
But, one is never enough. So, we have got you some famous and iconic farms all around London. Click here to find out which farm you would like to visit next.
