Sunday

#PataPet at Surrey Docks Farm

You guys, there is a farm in the centre of London. Seriously. Just a half mile across the river from Canary Wharf (0.57 miles to be exact, I Googled it!) is Surrey Docks Farm where you can feed and pet sheep, goats, cows... and fluffy pigs. Fluffy. Pigs. Thanks to the RSPCA, I got to pop down for a visit on a gloriously sunny day and spend the afternoon surrounded by lovely, friendly animals!

Surrey Docks Farm is free to enter and is open 7 days a week 10am- 5pm (4pm in the winter). It's just behind a residential estate in Canada Water which is the greenest, loveliest, most peaceful part of London I have ever encountered. (I totally fell in love with the area and may have looked up places to rent when I got home) Oh, did I mention the view?
Seriously, look at that! 
Anyway, gushing over the location over, we headed into the farm itself which, while very compact in area, is surprisingly spacious and... animaly... Well, you'd expect a farm to be animaly but I was impressed with the range of animals they had for such a small farm.

Donkeys, goats, cows, pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets... The list goes on! Since pigs are my favourite animal, I was very excited to see them but there was a special highlight I couldn't wait to visit- the aforementioned fluffy pigs.
These pigs are called Mangalista pigs and are a Hungarian breed created through cross-breeding pigs with boars. Aren't they just the cutest things ever? I wanted to sneak one home with me!
Erm, this is why I didn't! 
As well as all the cute animals to see, there were sheep shearing demonstrations by Tom from Longhorn Shearing. He was a great speaker and shared some really interesting facts. Did you know, for example, that there are 68 breeds of sheep in the UK and other sheep in the world, such as New Zealand sheep, originate from UK breeds. This one here is an Oxford Downs breed. 
By some wizardry, Tom managed to get all of the wool off in one piece and then he showed us how to roll it up the special way to keep it in pristine condition. I love this photo because the sheep is at the back like "Don't even look at me, Tom. I trusted you and look what you did to me. I feel like I don't even know you any more". 
After some time chilling on a straw bale, we headed back along Thames Path where we discovered a very handy bus that goes all the way to Waterloo from outside the estate and only takes 30 minutes. I'm still getting over the shock of a farm that is 4 tube stops away from Waterloo. 
If you're ever stuck in the city with an hour to spare, I highly recommend popping down to Surrey Quays and exploring the farm. Man, I love London with all its little secrets!

12 comments :

  1. I am definitely going to visit here over summer, looks great! x

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Student Lifestyle Blog

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  2. I genuinely did not know fluffy sheep existed, but I have to admit to being pretty happy about it :) They are adorable.

    Also this must be very close to where a friend of mine lives so next time I am in the area I will make sure to head over and check it out for myself. Thanks for sharing.

    x

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  3. Ah very jealous! The fluffy pigs are super cute. I haven't been to a farm in years, and I too am genuinely shocked that there's one so close to the capital!

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  4. Ah, I completely forgot about this place. I went there a couple of years ago and had THE best brunch!
    Ah, look at those pigs, so fluffy I'm gonna die!
    Will have to revisit in the near future

    Tamsyn-Elizabeth | Peaches and Bear

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  5. Woah what a cool place, you'd never think London had this kind of thing! FLUFFY PIGS <3
    Maeve // Thrift O'Clock

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  6. This looks amazing =] I love animals

    emyii90.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. Sheep shearing is quite the skill! I've seen it a few times and I'm always impressed, given that sheep are lively creatures!

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  8. Oh man! I wish I knew about this when I was in London last week! eep!

    Ridiculously cute photographs :)

    Sarah xxo | thesaltyseablog.blogspot.co.uk

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  9. How bloody cute? It's great to see London with a more farmyard/countryside feel! I'm married to a farmers son so I am so so so lucky that I can go pat a pet regularly!
    It's true, pigs do bite & can be quite little nasty sod, but then again, CUTE PIGLETS! Heart eyed emoji is required!
    Bee xxx
    QueenBeady.com

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  10. When you said 'fluffy pigs' I didn't expect them to be quite THAT fluffy! So cute!

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  11. Oh it looks like such a great day out! Who would have thought London could be so green?! Always love visiting the city, but I think this place definitely has to be on the list next time.

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