Beef and Lamb Benchmarking Farming Connect
Sarah, writer at Country Living, blogger at The Good Life London, and seasoned city-dweller, is determined to bring some rural charm to her urban existence. While aware city life will never be all roses and cups of tea with the vicar, she refuses to accept the notion that urbanites must relinquish their right to community, green space and chats on the bus and home-made cakes. She wants to have her home-made cake and eat it.
The joys of spring are myriad – daffodils, ducklings, the dawn chorus. The season also brings with it a few surprises – topless men in the park in March (why?), climate confusion and many, many wardrobe mishaps. One minute you're genuinely considering whether you could feasibly wear a balaclava to the shop and the next you feel you ought to be donning espadrilles and skipping through the park carrying a picnic basket.
But the happiest springtime sight surely has to be new born lambs hopping and skipping through the undergrowth. A regular occurrence when you live in the Cotswolds, but slightly more elusive within the constraints of the M25... or so I thought.
Hidden within housing estates and nestled within unfamiliar pockets of the greater metropolitan area are some unexpected residents. Donkeys, pigs, ducks, chickens – and most crucially where spring is concerned – lambs – are, if you know where to look, never more than a tube journey away. So, urbanites needn't leave the city to catch a glimpse of a cow.
Why we should all engage in farm therapy
I know what some of you city folk might be thinking... Why on earth would you endure a tube journey for the sake of a smelly farm animal? Plus there's a housing crisis on – do we really need farms taking up acres of valuable space? Valid points. But yes actually, I think we do.
Children have never been more disconnected with nature than they are right now, many aren't even aware where their food comes from. Most city farms exist to educate urban kids about a world they'd otherwise have no access to, which in my opinion is a wonderful, worthwhile exercise.
But these pockets of green aren't just for children – grown-ups can gain a lot from them, too. In the bustling melee of metropolitan existence, stepping into one feels like entering an oasis – and there's something innately hopeful about the sight of a bleating new born lamb. Their arrival heralds the start of a new, more promising time. Warmth, light and buds bursting into bloom all coincide with their creation.
So, last weekend, I took the bus over Tower Bridge and through the rising skyscrapers of the city to Spitalfields City Farm – a small animal-filled oasis close to Brick Lane. I drank tea, ate cake and wandered merrily among the animals – and after witnessing a day-old lamb frolicking in the hay, came away feeling bizarrely content and refreshed, despite the grim weather.
So far, it's been a miserable, sopping-wet flannel of a spring – the sun, aside from that one freakish weekend, never quite managing to break through the cloud. But the sight of a new born lamb reminds me that the season is here after all.
Often, the weather is the only tool we urbanites have to judge the seasons by, but actually, the most apt indicators of a change in the waters are found in nature – wildlife waking-up, flowers breaking through the hedgerows, leaves beginning to unfurl themselves from the trees' skeletal branches. Rain or shine, these are the true signs of spring. Taking time from our hectic schedules to embrace and enjoy them, helps to reconnect us with the natural world, reminding us of the wonders of this magical period of restoration and renewal.
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8 BEST PLACES TO SEE LAMBS IN LONDON
1. Stepney City Farm, East London
Important announcement: this three acre working farm actually lets you BOTTLE FEED its lambs. In the heart of Tower Hamlets, the site gives children and adults alike the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals.
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm, entry free
2. Surrey Docks Farm, South East London
The lovely little resident lambs at Surrey Docks are always eager to be fed, and for £7 you can book a slot to help out. The flock includes cuddly Oxford Downs, as well as smaller Southdowns. So. Cute.
3. Spitalfields City Farm, East London
A five-minute walk from bustling Brick Lane, Spitalfields City Farm began in 1978 in response to local people's demand for allotments. Now the farm plays host to bespoke courses, tours and school trips – encouraging community participation, connecting with nature and sustainable living.
Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4.30pm, free admission
4. Forty Hall Farm, North London
On the leafy outskirts of North London, the certified organic Forty Hill Farm is home to a variety of animals including many rare breeds. Also on site is London's only organic commercial vineyard, as well as a community orchard, market garden and farm shop.
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm, £2 entry
5. Deen City Farm, West London
You'll find farm cats, owls and even alpacas on this five acre site in West London. The farm's small flock of Poll Dorset sheep are very friendly – and if you ask nicely, you might even be able to stroke them.
6. Hackney City Farm, North East London
In spring, look out for lambs bounding around as you enter this farm in the heart of Hackney. Here, as well as meeting an abundance of animals, you can try your hand at a range of courses like pottery and mosaic making.
Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4.30pm, free admission
7. Mudchute Park and Farm, Isle of Dogs
This 32 acre site in the middle of the Isle of Dogs (one of the largest inner city farms in Europe) has a brilliant view across the city and is home to a wonderful collection of British rare breeds including adorable Southdown sheep. A registered charity, the team work to preserve this precious open space – using it for events, community groups and picnics.
Open daily 9am – 5pm, free admission
8. Hounslow Urban Farm, West London
With snakes, sheep and shetland ponies – there's something for everybody on this farmyard – but stealing the show are the adorable micro pigs.
Open daily 10am – 5pm, entry £7.50
Live in a different city?
Do some research on city farms in your area, or get in touch with your local council.
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Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/farming/a20651742/best-city-farms-in-london-lambs/
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