Oh where oh where do I start?…read more
Paradise. Honest.
Nothing could be more refreshing for the spirit than to spend an afternoon looking at comical rare breed chickens with enormous polkadot mohican/judge's wig hairdos, fat delicious looking pigs with obscenely massive yawns and rabbits which are just, you know, lovely. Soft and that.
Who's weekend would not be improved by stroking a huge fluffy llama, tickling a baby cow or patting the teddybearish head of a silly great big sheep? All the better if feeling hungover and cranky.
I have a thing for goats, and there are 3 types here, so happydays. You can pet their utterly mad old/young heads, laugh endlessly at their antics and feed them grass pellets (50p a bag).
There's a petting zoo type yard with a cafe, education centre, stables,and a riding school, set within a lovely little green park, where the other (best) animals look happy in their fields. If, like me, you're a fan of nature/city juxtapositions in one sweeping view, you'll appreciate the cool weirdness of being in what feels like the countryside, and spotting Canary Wharf blinking behind the Llama that you are feeding.
I felt very smug and clever when I guessed that somewhere this big and well resourced had to have been sponsored by all the big banks etc when Canary Wharf was developed, and sure enough, a plaque in the yard confirms it.
When you've had your fill of fluffy, bristly, absurd, feathered and oinking creatures, head to the cafe. Staffed by volunteers, there are always several fresh cakes on offer, all the usual hot drinks and a few wholesome lunch options such as pancakes with cheese and spinach and tomato and basil pasta.
The cafe is littered with newspapers, sofas, children's toys and softly glowing vintage lamps. It's boho/shabby chic, probably organic and contains some very well dressed toddlers and parents, but not in a twatty way at all. Cosy enough to flop off your shoes, curl up and read a paper on a cold winter's afternoon. When we were last there I had still-hot-from-the-oven scones, cream and jam. Oh my.
If I sound evangelical about this that is because I am, it is brilliant, and you must go.