Visit Mudchute Park and Farm in London – Barnyard Meets Big Business!
Looking for the ultimate green space in London? Visit Mudchute Park & Farm – 32 acres of open fields, a playground and even one of London’s largest urban farms! Just 10 minutes south of Canary Wharf’s bustling business epicenter you will be surprised to find cows, pigs, chickens and even llamas! The farm is open 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. It is even free to walk around and visit these four-legged Londoners!Â
A visit to Mudchute Park & Farm is fun for kids and adults alike! Over 100 animals call Mudchute home. As you wander through the farm you will see a variety of animals and livestock, but one of Mudchute’s highlights is their collection of rare breeds that are native to Britain. Plan to spent at least 45 minutes exploring the farm and reading about the different animals. Contact Mudchute in advance for more information about scheduled petting and feeding times or to book a farm tour.
Look out for placards on some of Mudchute's enclosures with information about native British and heritage breeds.
If you’re looking for some awesome Instagram-worthy content, make sure to take photos showing Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers in the background. The contrast of business means barnyard makes for some pretty fantastic pictures! Visiting Mudchute Park & Farm is definitely one of my favorite things to do in London!Â
Tips for Visiting Mudchute Park & Farm
- Wear comfortable shoes that can get dirty/muddy – Even though Mudchute is located in London, it is still a farm. The paths between enclosures are not all paved, and when it rains the ground will be muddy.Â
- Mudchute is very family-friendly, but if it rains pushing a stroller through the dirt paths may be tricky.
- Much of the land is open fields, so bring an umbrella for rain or a hat / sunblock for hot, sunny days! Â
These tips will leave you prepared to visit Mudchute Park & Farm!
If you live in London, Mudchute also offers courses for adults and children. Study stained glass making, how to raise chickens, horseback riding and more. Programs for kids include after-school activities, play groups and field trips!
Feeling Hungry?
There are 2 main options for eating at Mudchute. You can bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant: Mudchute Kitchen. Mudchute Kitchen is a family-run restaurant serving breakfast and lunch dishes. There are plenty of breakfast options featuring free-range eggs and sandwiches / paninis for lunch. Note that there is no barbequing allowed on site.
Mudchute Park & Farm History
Located along the Thames on the Isle of Dogs, Mudchute’s origins are directly linked to London’s history of maritime trade. Following the start of the Industrial Revolution London’s role as a global port city grew. Docklands were constructed throughout the city to meet the increased demand for trade, including the Millwell Docks in the 1860s. The land that Mudchute sits on today was originally a dumping ground for mud that was dredged up from the construction, hence the name “Mudchute”. Fast-forward 100 years: The land was left derelict during the mid-20th century, and in 1974 the land was slated by the city as the future home of a high rise estate. Community organizers came together to protect the land, and in 1977 the Mudchute Association was formed. Today the farm is thriving!
Mudchute's Military History
Sheep and cows are not the only residents you’ll find at Mudchute. Don’t be confused if you suddenly stumble across restored anti-aircraft weaponry from WWII. During the War, Mudchute and the surrounding docklands were used as a military defensive post against German bombings. Today the site not only is a haven for local flora and fauna, but also stands as a reminder of a darker time in London’s history. Read the exhibits for more information about Mudchute during WWII.Â
Enjoy your visit to Mudchute Park & Farm? Admission is free, but you can support Mudchute by making a donation here.
Millwall Park
Directly south of Mudchute Park & Farm is Millwall Park, another fantastic green space in London. Millwall Park has pathways and an outdoor gym for exercise and walking. There are also great play areas for kids over and under 5 years old. Millwall even has a small zipline you can ride back and forth across! If you’ve visiting Mudchute, you should definitely take a stroll through Millwall Park.Â
Getting to Mudchute Park & Farm
Mudchute Park and Farm is served by 3 DLR stops: Crossharbour, Mudchute and Island Garden. When coming from Canary Wharf, get off at the Crossharbour stop. Cross the street and continue through the parking lot until you reach the enter northern entrance. To get to the park area, which is south of the farm, take the DLR two stops further to Island Garden.Â
If you are coming from central London, you can also consider taking the riverbus along the Thames to Greenwich Pier. It will be about a 20 minute walk through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel to Millwall Park and Mudchute Park and Farm.
Things To Do Nearby
Looking to explore a bit of more of London? Here are a few nearby places to pair with your visit to Mudchute Park & Farm.Â
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Sure, everyone knows that walking along the River Thames is a quientessenial London experience. But, consider also walking UNDER the Thames through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel! Head south from Mudchute through Millwell Park to where you can walk underground to Greenwich, just across the water. First opened in 1902, the tunnel was primarily used by workers to commute between the docklands or shipyards and their homes in south London. The tunnel is about 1,200 ft long and is only a short walk under the Thames! If you’re headed to Greenwich, consider walking there! Greenwich is definitely a must-visit when in London.Â
Visit Canary Wharf
- Museum of London Docklands - Trace the history of London’s docklands from the early days of maritime trade up through modern day Canary Wharf! Located in the building that was originally a warehouse of the West India Docks company, plan to spend a few hours learning about the importance of Canary Wharf’s docklands on the development of London as a center of commerce and trade. The museum is free, and the exhibitions are well laid out for a self-guided visit. The best part: It’s free!
- Crossrail Place Roof Garden - A mini-oasis of natural beauty contrasted against the post-industrial background of Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers. Crossrail Place lies just west of the Prime Meridian. The Roof Garden landscaping is divided into two sections representing the east and west hemispheres. You’ll find Japanese Maples and bamboo lining the eastern side of the garden, and ferns and palms from the Americas to the west. When selecting the plant species, special attention was even given to varieties native to countries visited by ships from the West India Dock Company.
Like it? Pin it!
Visiting Mudchute Park and Farm and Millwall Park is a great way to spend a sunny day in London. Escape the hustle and bustle of city to hang out with the cutest sheep in town! Or get in your steps for the walking the paths through Millwall Park. Enjoy Mudchute’s barnyard oasis in the heart of London.
AHH! I heard about this place a few years ago, and I couldn’t remember what it was called – thank you! My boyfriend loves both critters and WW2 history, so it’s a perfect day out for him; thank you for sharing!
Awesome! I hope you can make it for a visit! Just check the status for visitors right now, as I’m sure it is changing with COVID.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been to London and yet I had no idea about this farm. I always go to London in awe odd the big city, that I don’t realise it has places like this. One for my next trip for sure
I write a London blog but it’s always so funny to learn things about the city from you I never knew about before! It’s quite cool to learn more about Canary Wharf, an area I’m not so familar with and mostly associate with banking and slick skyscrapers. Thanks for sharing this info! 🙂
I can’t believe I have never heard of this place! It sounds like such a great day out. I have been to London so many times, but have never really explore this area so I will have to add it to my list. I love being in a city, but sometimes it can get too much so being able to head to a place like this would be great! 🙂
Yes! When I visit London it is usually for work in Canary Wharf. I love how close the farm is to the sky scrapers just beyond! I am trying to convince my co-workers to go visit one Friday afternoon to de-stress after the week! 🙂
This place sounds like Heaven for our children!!! I love that it’s farm life with the city in the background. We love both the country and the city and usually we have to choose one or the other for vacation- but here we can have both! With so many awesome activities our boys would just love!
What a great place to bring children, especially those who live in the city. Being outdoors and around animals is such a good experience for them. Such a fantastic day trip idea.
Absolutely! There is also an area with smaller animals like bunnies and guinea pigs, too.
I am amazed to find such an animal farm in London and I think this is real good and educational for kids.
We, my wife and I, went to a historic farm during one of our trips last year and it brought back good memories of our childhoods.
Hi, Rudy – I was really surprised, too! It is definitely a great educational resource for kids. They do field trips and have educational programming, too.
Mudchute seems to have an enchanting old-world charm. It must be indeed one of the lesser-known gems of London. The skyline of Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers looks so contrasting.
Oooh nice! I knew there was a farm other on the other side of the river in Surrey Docks, but I didn’t realize Mudchute has one too! It is awesome that London has so many urban farms where kids can meet the animals! I have always been a fan of this part of London. You can see the tall buildings nearby, but somehow it feel like you are far away from the madness.
p.s. I looove the floofyness of the sheep in your photos!
Josy – Thanks for the heads up about the farm across the water near Surrey Docks. I just did some Googling, and maybe I can go there on my next visit! Looks like there is a nice park to check out nearby, too. Aren’t the sheep just the cutest?! I am glad not many people were there when I visited because I probably sounded like a goofball talking to the sheep as I took a million photos of them. 🙂
This seems like a nice place to relax and rejuvenate away from the hustle and bustle of the Big city.
Absolutely! It really is an incredible escape right in the city!
How crazy is it that there is a full farm hiding in the middle of London! Not going to lie the Mudchute Park & Farm looks like a ton of fun though Llamas are really mean animals so maybe they are the ones in charge of the WW2 Canons! Next time we hit up London we want to explore more of Greenwich mainly to see the famous GMT line. But we will definitely check out Mudchute Park & Farm too!
It’s nice to know that there’s some greenery and animals right there near the heart of city. Sounds like it’s super educational too!
I had no clue this was in London! I love the military history of the farm and the fact that the farm has a great view of the city. Such a fun way to get away from the busyness for a bit 🙂 Will check this out next time I am in London!
Mudshute Park and Farm looks like a fun place to spend a bit of time. It is great that there are other things around it close enough to spend the day. It seems strange to have a farm with the skyscrapers in the background. It is quite the contrast.
I’ve been to London and even stayed in the Canary Wharf area and had never heard of this place. It’s always fascinating to learn about the local hidden gems and this makes me love London even more. Hope to get back to the city again in the not so distant future!
Hi, Brian – I have a separate post about Canary Wharf specifically. If you have any favorite spots or recommendations from the area let me know! I can always add to it and credit you.
Aww those sheep are soo adorable! How cool that such a great green space lives so close to one of the busiest cities in the world. Loved this peek into Mudchute and Millwall. Found it quite curious that they teach stained glass making at Mudchute! A must-visit if I’m ever in London 🙂
This looks like such a fun experience. I love it.
This is interesting! Visiting a farm is not the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of London. Thanks for sharing this story. 🙂
Pingback: Things To Do In London - The Tina Lifestyle
My friend had her riding lessons there before we went to the Camargue a few years back. As you say, it’s wonderful to see the contrast between the modernity of Canary Wharf and the rural farm.
In South London there’s also Vauxhall City Farm and Deen City Farm. Plus petting zoo type places in Battersea Park and Crystal Palace Park.