Description
Spitalfields City Farm was set up by volunteers on a former railway goods depot in 1978. In 1980 the farm gained charitable status, and continues to be run by a voluntary management committee . Volunteers play an important part in the farm although public funding enabled staff to be employed. The farm keeps a selection of farm animals and has a number of community garden areas, including a grass road, wildlife garden, plant nursery and vegetable plots, and an active Volunteers Vegetable Garden known as the Coriander Club gardens.
Practical Information
| Site location | Buxton Street |
|---|---|
| Postcode | E1 5AR |
| What3Words | ///flesh.attend.kick |
| Type of Site | Other |
| Borough | Tower Hamlets |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Tues/Wed 10am-2pm; Thurs-Sun 10am-4pm |
| Facilities | Shop; Horta Café (Wed-Sun 10am-4.30pm) |
| Events | Various events and activities, including volunteer gardening and educational projects. Has opened for OGSW |
| Public Transport | Rail/Tube: Liverpool Street (Central, Hammersmith & City). Tube: Whitechapel (District, Hammersmith & City). London Overground: Whitechapel, Shoreditch High Street. Bus: D3 |
| Research Updated | 1 June 2015 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
In 1987, lack of revenue funding almost caused the closure of Spitalfields City Farm and the threat from development never goes away for what is the nearest community farm to the City's financial district. Strong local support have enabled the farm to develop and grow, and it offers a wide range of activities and opportunities to the local community and visiting groups. Among the farm animals are rare breeds, and the farm has published a book ' 'Rare Breeds in the City'.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ341821 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 0.526 |
| Site Ownership | LB Tower Hamlets/Railtrack |
| Site Management | Spitalfields City Farm |
| Dates | 1978 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Tower Hamlets |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Fournier Street |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Allen Gardens was first laid out by the LCC in 1958 on a plot of land made available when post-war temporary housing was demolished; streets were cleared to make way for the park, including Pedley Street, Weaver Street, Shuttle Street, Eckersley Street, North Place and Fleet Street Hill. The new park was named after philanthropist William Allen. During the 1960s the park was gradually expanded when the derelict All Saints' Church was demolished and some remaining slums at the north end of Mile End New Town cleared. It was suggested that this additional, larger area be called 'Allen Fields' but this name appears not to have caught on and the whole park was soon called Allen Gardens.
The parish of Bethnal Green was created in 1742, and the new church of St Matthew was consecrated in 1746, although an earlier church had been proposed under the Fifty New Churches Commissioners. The population had grown particularly following the arrival of Huguenots, who established their textile industry here. The Watch House in the churchyard was built in 1754 as a measure to prevent body snatching. The churchyard closed for burials in the mid 1850s and in 1896 was turned into a public garden when the majority of tombs were removed. Two railed tombs remain, including that of former churchwarden Joseph Merceron. It is mostly grassed over, with large plane trees by an oval path to the north of the church. There are remains of the C19th railings on the boundary with St Matthew's Row. A rose garden is to the south of the church and an area to the east has formal beds, palms and other ornamental planting.
The site was formerly a Quaker Burial Ground established in 1687, the last burial taking place in 1857. It was laid out as a public garden and opened in 1880, later called as Vallance Road Recreation Ground. The garden had a granite drinking fountain, grass, serpentine paths, mature plane trees, some rose beds and a children's playground, but by the late C20th was in a poor state. In 2002 new housing was built on 3 sides, much improving the setting of the garden, which was also re-landscaped. It re-opened in 2003 with new paths, seats, railings and children's playground. Tree planting included a conifer to mark the opening of the housing and gardens.
