Local Exploration - Stepney City Farm

Hidden away on a corner of a road that doesn't appear to have anything else to offer is this mircro farm in the city which DOES have a lot to offer. Aside from being a great place to bring small city children who grow up knowing nothing other than concrete and glass and Tesco, this is an enchanting place to stroll around even as a grown up. Little pens, tended lovingly by volunteers, house everything from Goats and Sheep to Donkeys and Guinea Pigs and mulched paths take you through garden vegetable plots growing a lot of the produce which you can eat in the cafe  at the main entrance to the farm.

We started off at the cafe and fueled up with their bacon brioche roll, served with deliciously sweet plum jam by Husband and Wife team. It's extraordinary how different home cured 'proper' bacon is from the flabby stuff I slop out of the packet at home which oozes a white liquid into the pan. 

We set off with the scrumptious sweet and salty bacon brioche happily resting in our bellies to meander around some of the animal pens. There are some donkeys, which quietly ignore everyone and plenty of Chickens (mostly rescued ex battery chickens) running around - mostly escaped from their cages, there are beautiful Ducks, arching their thin long necks and inspecting you distrustfully, Brilliant blue eyed Geese, inquisitive Pigs (see photo),  KITTENS, and a petting zoo of deliciously soft and fluffy friendly rabbits, constantly followed by a crowd of small children. 

A low barn is home to 3 skilled trades, a wood carver, ironmonger and a potters. I loved watching what they could create with their hands - and many of them offer classes if you're interested in having a go. On Saturdays the farm also hosts a farmers market, with a few stalls selling meat, fruit, veg and cheese all local, organic and tasty. 

To experience food as it should be - understanding where it comes from and how to respect it over a well priced and delicious breakfast was a lovely way to spend a morning. A recommended trip for old and young.