See & do

Ever thought about what it takes to look after farm animals?

Under the guidance of the Farm’s Livestock Team learn about each animal, their behaviour and lifestyle.

Each student will get an opportunity to work one-on-one with the animals, including close-up contact, grooming and leading on halters.

By looking at the life-cycle of the chicken we learn about how a chick develops inside the egg, hatches out and then grows into a full grown clucking, pecking chicken in the yard.

Introduces concepts around biological development and where our food comes from.

What do plants and animals need to survive?

We explore the various habitats around the farm both wild and domestic, and discover the wonderful range of creatures that live in them.

Come down with your team to work alongside the Farm team to make Hackney City Farm a much loved community resource in the heart of East London.

The Food Hub saves edible food from going to waste and distributes it to food banks or community initiatives. We need volunteers to sort, collect and deliver for the Hub.

Volunteer alongside the Farm Team to care for the garden, look after the animals and maintain the site.

Saturdays, 10:30–12:30
Children aged 8–12 years

Held every Saturday morning from 10:30–12:30. It’s a great way for younger kids to learn about nature, make arts and crafts and get to know the animals, under the careful supervision of our livestock worker.

Sundays, 10:30–12:30
Teenagers aged 12–18 years

Every Sunday morning from 10:30—12:30. An opportunity for young adults aged 12–18 to help out in the farmyard and take on responsibilities for care of the animal

This room opens out into the park so sunshine can spill in and the people can spread out. Perfect for children’s parties, it will accommodate 30, you can decorate it as you like and bring your own food and drink.

Sessions
Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00

Room fee (3 hours)
Straw-bale building: £120
Classroom: unavailable to book. There’s a nice garden at the farm or a small park nearby to picnic

Book the straw-bale room room for a meeting, event or workshop in an inspiring space. The room opens out onto the woodland garden where you can gather to chat and unwind.

The building is used regularly by community groups for everything from yoga to choir practice.

Sessions
Tuesdays 12:30–17:30
Wednesdays 9:30–16:30
Thursdays 9:30–17:30
Fridays 9:30–17:30

Other times may be possible on request.

Room fee (3 hours)
Straw-bale building: £120

We have well behaved animals available for hire.  One of our sheep, goats or Clover the donkey can attend your event accompanied by an experienced animal handler.

As a unique destination in the city, Hackney City Farm is often used as a location for everything from documentaries to music videos.

A variety of locations are available as a backdrop. Farm animals and bees can also be hired on location. Hourly or daily services available.

Fees for location, garden, farmyard, outside on the fields:
– Less than 4 hours: £125/hour
– Over four hours: £100/hour.

An additional fee of £75/hour is for onsite animal handling (donkeys, sheep, lambs in Spring, goats, kids from May-July), pigs, chickens, ducks and geese.

Fee for straw bale room: 
– £50/hour.

The farm has been used as a secluded backdrop for everything from fashion shoots to profile pics and photojournalism. A variety of spaces can be used as an agricultural setting, a view of historic East London made of cobbles and brickwork or the feel of a wild secret garden. 

Farm animals and bees can be hired on location. Hourly or daily services available.

Fees for location, garden, farmyard, outside on the fields:
– Less than 4 hours: £125/hour
– Over four hours: £100/hour.

An additional fee of £75/hour is for onsite animal handling (donkeys, sheep, lambs in Spring, goats, kids from May-July), pigs, chickens, ducks and geese.

Fee for straw bale room:
– £50/hour.

Come to the farm to mark the occasion. The gardens, farmyard and meadow are available for weddings, celebrations, launch parties, storytelling, outdoor theatre… just about anything bringing people together.

Hourly or daily services available.

We have pottery classes for children and adults. The sessions are drop in so no need to book.

Our resident potters will help you design and make your own clay objects and the price includes firing in the kiln. We have only two pottery wheels so you will not be able to spend a whole class using a wheel. It takes up to 3 weeks to get your piece fired for collection.

Children’s pottery – £5
Wednesdays 15:00–17:00.
Sundays: four sessions: 12:00–13:00,
13:00–14:00, 14:00–15:00 & 15:00–16:00.

Adult pottery – £20
Wednesdays 19:00–21:00.
Thurdays 19:00–21:00.

Drop in.

Learn green woodworking through making cooking utensils with London Green Wood. Over the school holidays kids can learn whittling.

A variety of workshops are held outdoors at the Farm.

Gaia Therapy Project is a low cost psychotherapy and counselling service offering weekly therapy sessions to individuals for up to one year.

Gaia provides affordable psychotherapeutic services to those who need them most. We aspire to cultivate a community and culture in which people feel welcome and able to explore the challenges of living.

Explore the beneficial uses of herbs with Hackney Herbal. Learn how to grow your own herbs, enjoy them through the seasons and the history and use of essential oils at our workshops at the farm.

Check Hackney Herb website for details below

Hackney Bike Workshop run sessions from 19:00–21:00 on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

You can maintain and fix your bike with help and guidance from the team of volunteer mechanics.

Donations towards tools and other costs are gratefully received.

Bike repair
19:00–21:00 First and third Tuesdays

Hackney Fine Arts art classes equip young people and adults with the essential skills to make the art they always dreamed of.

​Learn advanced drawing and painting techniques in a small class after school, on Saturday, during the holidays and for adults in the evening. All art materials included.

A range of after school and weekend classes are available. See website for details.

Come and sing as the Hackney Harmony, a diverse and vibrant choir in the heart of East London. We sing a wide range of music including Gospel, African, Folk, Eastern European, Sacred songs, and pop. We have regular concerts as well as gigs at local events and venues such as The Nest Collective, Woodburner Folk night, and Shoreditch Church.