Name: Surrey Docks Farm
Rating: 5.0

Surrey Docks Farm

Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe Street, London SE16 5ET, UK

1-90 Years

1236
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Description

Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm and charity in the heart of London, occupying a 2.2-acre site on the south bank of the River Thames in Rotherhithe. The farm enables the whole community to learn about farming, food production, and the natural environment through a wide range of educational projects, supported by hundreds of dedicated weekly volunteers. The farm provides a unique setting for environmental and farming activities throughout the year, ensuring there is always something interesting to see, no matter the season or weather. Animals reared on the farm include goats, sheep, cows, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, donkeys, and a pony, all farmed with careful attention to animal welfare.

Visitors can enjoy open animal yards, interact with goats, and observe other animals up close. In addition to the livestock, the farm features a variety of green and horticultural attractions, including an orchard, herb garden, dye garden, vegetable plots, and a wildlife area. Surrey Docks Farm is free to visit, and visitors can also participate in a range of activities, making it an engaging destination for people of all ages.

If you are looking for Best Farm in Southwark, Greater London then you can visit Surrey Docks Farm. Surrey Docks Farm is one of the places in Southwark, Greater London for day out with kids and families. More details can be found on the website for this place

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Animal Experiences: Surrey Docks Farm offers unique hands-on experiences with a variety of animals in central London. From feeding calves to meeting ferrets, goats, ponies, and more, each session provides a fun, educational, and memorable opportunity for adults and children alike.
Feed The Calves: Price: £13.00 per slot. Join in feeding three young calves and experience the excitement of bottle-feeding. Feeding takes place daily at 4:30 PM, and we ask that participants arrive 10 minutes early. Due to limited space, only six people can participate per slot three will feed the calves while the other three can watch or support children.
Farm Animal Experiences: Surrey Docks Farm also offers private animal experiences for adults and children over six years old (with adult supervision). Each session is guided by experienced livestock staff, providing both educational insights and hands-on interaction. Each session lasts 30 minutes (unless otherwise stated) and typically accommodates up to two people, although larger groups can be arranged on request.
- Meet the Goats: Step inside the goat yard to meet friendly nanny goats and the kids born in April. You will also have the opportunity to walk a couple of goats around the farm. This 30-minute session is ideal for two participants.
- Meet the Ferrets: Handle and interact with our playful ferrets Thor, Loki, and Apollo. You will explore parts of the farm not normally open to visitors, and enjoy taking the ferrets for a walk. This 30-minute session is suitable for children and adults, accommodating two participants.
- Meet the Pony: Get up close to our Miniature Shetland Pony, Kiera. During this 30-minute session, you will groom her and take her for a walk around the farm. This experience is designed for two participants.
- Meet the Sheep: Enter the field or yard to meet flock of sheep, including Oxford Down ewes, cross-breed sheep, and lambs born in April. Learn about these gentle animals while feeding and interacting with them during this 30-minute session for two participants.
- Meet the Small Animals: Meet rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens. Forage for leafy greens and spend one-on-one time with your chosen animals. The session can be tailored to spend more time with a particular species. Suitable for all ages, this 30-minute session is designed for two participants.
- Animals Combo: Meet ferrets, goats, and Shetland pony in one session. Walk one animal from each group and learn about their care. This one-hour session divides time approximately equally among the animals, for two participants.
Family Experience: Enjoy a longer session with your family, interacting with all the animals on the farm. Walk ferrets, visit the goat yard, handle rabbits and guinea pigs, and feed the sheep and cows. This 1 hour 15-minute experience is for up to four people, with children accompanied by an adult.
Surrey Docks Farm Wildlife: Though located in central London, Surrey Docks Farm is a thriving habitat for wildlife. The farm practices organic gardening, avoids pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, and grows wildflowers for pollinators. Nettle patches, log piles, and hedging provide homes for invertebrates, birds, and amphibians. The farm has installed bee, bat, and bird boxes and maintains a wildlife garden with a pond that hosts over 50 frogs each spring. Surrey Docks Farm collaborates with the Southwark Biodiversity Partnership to promote biodiversity, focusing on amphibians, house sparrows, and bees.
Herb Garden: Small animals at the farm, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, are perfect for younger children and also participate in mobile farm events. Ferrets, traditionally kept on farms, provide another engaging interaction. The farm’s herb garden features lavender, sage, rosemary, thyme, mint, lemon verbena, tarragon, southernwood, chives, oregano, and bay. These herbs are used in cooking workshops, herbal remedies, and folk medicine demonstrations. The garden is maintained regularly by dedicated volunteers.
Events: https://www.surreydocksfarm.org.uk/events/

Facilities

Farm Shop
Street parking

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Book the River Room for a Party
- Venue: River Room, unique space in London overlooking the goat yard, ideal for children’s parties.
- Weekday Use: Functions as a classroom for local primary schools; children’s tables stacked to one side, six large trestle tables and adult chairs available.
- Viewing: Open 7 days a week, 10 AM – 4 PM; staff at Farm Shop can show the space.
Weekend Bookings
- Availability: Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM – 3 PM
- Hire Fee: £175 (includes set-up and clearing time)
- Deposit: £100 refundable
- Party Format: Flexible; professional entertainers allowed with restrictions (see Terms & Conditions)
- Extension: No extensions to hire period allowed
Meet the Small Animals (Optional)
- Activity: Private 20-minute session with rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and a chicken in a private outdoor space.
- Cost: £40, Start Time: 12 PM
- Confirmation: Subject to volunteer availability and weather; confirm at Farm Shop at 10:45 AM on the day of the party
- Alternative: Farm open 10 AM – 4 PM; animal feed bags available for £1 each
Deposit & Payment
- Full payment: £175 for hire period
- Refundable deposit: £100
Weekend Party Booking
- Total Fee: £275 (includes £100 refundable deposit)
- Booking: Select preferred date to view available slots

Surrey Docks Farm is open from 10am – 4pm.
The Thames path and river gardens are open every day from 9am – 5pm

Address: Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe Street, London SE16 5ET, UK

Post Code: SE16 5ET

Council: Southwark

County: Greater London

On Foot:
- Surrey Docks Farm is located directly on the Thames Path at Rotherhithe Street.
- Tower Bridge (upstream) and Greenwich (downstream) are both approximately 2 miles away.
By Train & Tube:
- Nearest Tube Station: Canada Water (Jubilee Line)
- Nearest Overground Stations: Surrey Quays, Canada Water, Rotherhithe
By Bus:
- 381: Waterloo → Peckham | Alight at Downtown Road. Click here for timetable
- C10: Victoria → Canada Water | Alight at Bryan Road – Surrey Docks Farm. Click here for bus timetables
By Boat: Thames Clipper and Hilton Ferry services stop nearby. Click here for ferry timetable
By Bicycle:
- The Farm is on National Cycle Route 4 (Fishguard to Greenwich).
- Quiet cycle paths nearby include Greenland Dock, Southwark Park, Russia Dock, and the Thames Path.
- Bike parking is available inside the Farm.
- Cycle maps available via Sustrans
By Car
- Visitors are encouraged to use public transport or walk.
- The Farm has no dedicated car park.
- Street parking: Free on weekends, paid up to 4 hours on weekdays