#surrey docks

Surrey Docks Farm

The derelict landscape that was left behind in Rotherhithe after the closure of Surrey Commercial Docks in 1970s was quickly put to use by locals, who obtained permission to graze goats, keep chickens, and grow vegetables on the unused patches of land. They were soon offered a larger plot of land next to Greenland Dock, once a major part of the whale blubber and timber trade. Here, a farm quickly grew, soon producing fresh eggs, honey and goats milk, and offering play schemes and work experience to local residents. As an early experiment in urban faring in London, it also drew in visitors from further afield.

By the 1980s, the land around Greenland Dock was marked for development: the farm had to find a new home, and it moved to a larger site upriver to South Wharf, a location that was at various points in history a timber wharf, a River Ambulance Service receiving station for smallpox patients, and a Fire Service river station.

Today, Surrey Docks Farm is still rearing goats and chickens, which have since been joined by sheep, pigs, ducks, geese, turkeys, bees, donkeys, and ponies. Being a working farm, it has an objective to increase people’s awareness animal welfare, but also of farming and food production, and so some of the animals are raised for slaughter, and the meat sold in the on-site shop.

Alongside the four-legged, feathered and buzzy inhabitants of the farm, there are extensive vegetable plots, an orchard, a herb garden, and even a dye garden – again, much of the produce can be purchased by the public. There is also blacksmith’s forge, a classroom for visiting schools, and a very nice little café. Visitors should also look out for the smaller furry creatures – rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets, plus a reasonably friendly if slightly scratchy farm cat!

A couple, a bike and a bird?

Last week I posted some interesting sculptures from Cley in Norfolk. Today some from Surrey Docks in London that Sue found the other day. The sculpture commemorates famous people from the area. Michael Caine the actor, Phylis Pearsall, who dreew the first A-Z map of London and Barry mason, a cycling campaigner. But why the bird?