Canterbury: Yoga with Goats and Sheep

Goat yoga, minus the fuss. On a Kent farm, Hannah turns a sanctuary visit into a silly, calming 75 minute yoga session with goats and sheep that actually want attention. I love the way it feels human, not gimmicky, and I love the goat and sheep cuddles that pop up whenever the animals decide it is time.

One big consideration: this session is not for you if you are nervous around animals, and it is also not suitable for pregnant ladies.

Key highlights to know before you book

• A true sanctuary setup where the animals live out their full lives, not a rotating kid friendly baby goat schedule
• Hannah runs the show and keeps the focus on care, comfort, and a relaxed pace
• Beginner friendly yoga and qigong style options with no pressure to match every pose
• Animal cuddles are part of the plan (and the only rule is to listen to your body)
• Winter touch with pygmy goats using indoor yoga when they are around in the season
• Mats supplied, plus a clear list of what to bring, especially drinks

Hawes Farm and Canterbury, on a real Kent farm day

This experience is tied to the countryside just outside the Canterbury area, and the location matters because you are not meeting at a sterile studio. You arrive at Hawes Farm, at a white cottage with a yard and farm buildings, where you will also see the sign for Wild Woodland Retreat. Pull into the yard, and someone comes to meet you.

It is the kind of setting that changes your headspace fast. You trade city noise for birds, fences, and that immediate farm smell that is hard to describe and easy to remember. You also get a clearer connection to the animals, because you are not just looking at them through glass or a barrier. You are in the same shared space, at their pace.

One practical note: the session is 75 minutes, so plan it like an afternoon activity that does not need much add on. You do not need food or a packed schedule before it. Bring your drinks, because food and drinks are not included.

75 minutes of yoga that lets the animals lead

The class is designed as a fun, chilled, slightly chaotic blend of yoga and animal time. You come for a yoga session surrounded by goats and sheep, and you leave with that rare travel souvenir, a big laugh and an unexpectedly calm body.

The structure is flexible. This is not a strict studio class where you have to nail every movement in order. You can take pauses for goat cuddles. You can also choose how much yoga you want versus how much animal fussing you want. If you feel like you need a cuddle break, you take it. The whole point is to keep it gentle and stress free.

You do have some expectations to hold onto:

• It is adapted for all abilities, including people who have never done yoga before
• It includes mats, so you do not need to bring your own
• It is not a performance class, it is a wellbeing and laughter type session

If you want a normal yoga rhythm, you might find this style different at first. But if you are open to a more playful flow, the animals make the session feel alive in a way that generic classes just cannot.

Who is Hannah, and why her care approach matters

The instructor and leader is Hannah, who also owns the animals. That detail is a big part of what makes the session feel authentic. She is not running a one time gimmick. She treats the herd as living characters with personalities.

Hannah also adds a practical comfort rule you should take seriously: she is electrosensitive. That means she asks you to put your phone on airplane mode, and to leave smart watches and fit bits in your car. The good news is you can still take pictures with airplane mode. This is not about control for control’s sake. It is about keeping the environment stable for her and for the calm vibe of the session.

Hannah also teaches while she leads. In a good class, you understand why something is being done. Here, you get that kind of context. You learn breed traits, how the sheep and goats interact, and why the herd is set up as a sanctuary. It turns the session from just funny into actually meaningful.

The sanctuary herd: goats with names, plus Swiss and Black Nose sheep

This is one of the biggest reasons the experience feels different from most goat yoga formats. Hannah runs a sanctuary model. The goats are not farmed, so this is not a place that offers baby goat yoga every year as part of an ongoing production cycle. Instead, you meet a herd where the animals stay and where the care is the point.

Some of the goats are larger breeds because they are unwanted dairy babies, and they live here for life. Hannah talks about her boys and the ladies the same way many people talk about pets and family. That matters, because it changes your mindset during the class. You are less likely to treat this as a novelty, and more likely to treat it as a gentle interaction.

You can expect a mix of:

• Golden Guernseys
• Swiss Saanans
• Boer goats
• pygmy goats
• 2 Swiss Valais Black Nose sheep

Hannah also mentions specific characters with names, including Lady Sprite, Banoffee, and Biscoff. The animals are described as super affectionate and drawn to attention, and that lines up with the overall energy of the session. People get the sense quickly that the herd is used to calm humans and friendly handling.

Goat cuddles, and the no pressure yoga rule

Here is the core idea I love: you do not have to choose between yoga and animal interaction. You can have both, and you can choose the balance in the moment.

You might start standing, breathing, and trying a pose or two. Then a goat decides it is time for a cuddle and you switch gears. That is not treated as a disruption. It is treated like part of the experience. You get permission to follow your instincts, not some rigid checklist.

That helps especially if you are new to yoga. Your first reaction to the idea of yoga with goats might be, What if I cannot do the poses with animals around? The answer here is simple: you are not graded. The session is adapted for complete beginners. If you want to hold a position, great. If you want to take it easy and focus on comfort and breathing, also great.

The session vibe is also inclusive in a small but important way: there are no strict rules that you have to follow the yoga every second. If you need a cuddle break, you take it. That makes the whole hour feel less like you are trying to perform and more like you are hanging out with animals while your body loosens.

What to bring: drinks, and maybe a few goat friendly snacks

This is a practical class. You do not need fancy yoga gear. Mats are supplied. You do need to show up prepared for the farm setting.

The tour lists what to bring as drinks. Food and drink are not included. So bring water, or whatever you prefer to sip while you wait your turn and settle in.

You are also welcome to bring nibbles for the animals. That is especially relevant in certain seasons. In November 2025, Hannah plans to have 4 baby pygmy goats to carry on indoor yoga throughout the winter, which means the animal interaction indoors can be part of the seasonal charm.

The nibbles list is specific, and it gives you a real sense of what the herd likes:

• chopped carrots
• parsnips
• cabbage
• cauliflower
• apples
• bananas
• berries
• kale
• chard
• lettuce

If you bring anything, keep it simple and keep it chopped. The goal is a calm snack, not a big feeding frenzy.

Seasonal timing: indoor yoga in winter, valley walks still in progress

The experience includes a seasonal plan. For November 2025, baby pygmy goats join for indoor yoga throughout the winter. That is the kind of detail you want to know ahead of time, because it affects how you picture the day. You will likely have a more sheltered, indoor feel in the colder months, but the same relaxed interaction is the focus.

There is also mention of goat and sheep walking in a beautiful rewilded valley. This sounds like an extra way to experience the land and the herd, but it is noted as being slow to publish. In other words, it may not be easy to plan on without checking current availability. If you are hoping for a longer outdoor walk beyond the 75 minute session, you might find it available at some times, and not at others.

Price and value: what $47 buys you here

At $47 per person for 75 minutes, this is not a budget yoga class. You can likely find cheaper yoga elsewhere. But this is the wrong comparison. You are paying for something specific: a farm sanctuary experience with goats and sheep, a staffed host, yoga mats, and a class style where cuddles and attention are normal.

Here is what makes it feel fair for the price:

• Mats supplied means you are not paying extra for gear
• A sanctuary model means you are supporting a longer term care approach, not a quick animal handling event
• Instruction and adaptation are built in, because the session is designed for complete beginners
• The herd interaction is a core value, not an add on

Also, there are no food costs bundled in. That is a trade. Some activities include refreshments, but here the value is clearly focused on the animal and yoga time. You will just bring your own drinks and plan around the session.

If you are the type of traveler who likes experiences that feel personal and off the usual tourist track, this price makes more sense. If you only want traditional yoga in silence, the value might feel mismatched.

Not for everyone: who should skip this session

This one is straightforward. It is not suitable for:

• People nervous around animals
• Pregnant ladies
• Children under 10 years

I would also add a common sense layer for your planning. This is a farm setting, so expect animals to move, cuddle, and react. If you need strict quiet, strict timing, or strict control of what happens next, you may feel stressed rather than relaxed.

The other non negotiable detail is Hannah’s electrosensitivity approach. If you ignore the request to use airplane mode for your phone, or to leave smart watches and fit bits in your car, you might be working against the calm environment she is trying to protect. This is not about punishment. It is about comfort and wellbeing for the leader.

Where this experience fits in your Canterbury trip

Think of it as a break from museum mode. Canterbury can fill your day with cathedrals, streets, and walking. This gives you a different kind of reset. You get nature, animals, and movement, but you do not need to be an expert hiker or an athletic yogi.

It is also a good choice if you are traveling with someone who gets bored by pure sightseeing. Goat cuddles are a fast way to turn a cloudy day into a memorable one. And because the class is adapted for beginners, you do not have to worry that your partner will be left behind if they are not flexible.

If you are visiting in late autumn or around winter, the indoor pygmy goat element can be extra fun. If you are more of a warm weather traveler, you may prefer outdoor energy, but the session is still short enough that weather should not ruin the day.

Should you book Canterbury Yoga with Goats and Sheep?

I think you should book it if you want something hands on, kind, and genuinely fun, not just an Instagram styled novelty. The sanctuary approach, the relaxed yoga rules, and the affectionate herd make this a very easy hour to enjoy even if you are new to yoga. And if you love animals, this is one of those activities that feels like it actually gives you something, not just a ticket.

Skip it if you are pregnant, traveling with kids under 10, or you feel anxious around animals. Also skip it if you really want a quiet, strict yoga class with zero surprises.

If you are in the middle, if you are curious and willing to laugh at yourself a little, then this is a strong fit. It is short, practical, and it lets you set the balance between yoga and goat cuddles in real time.

FAQ

How long is Canterbury: Yoga with Goats and Sheep?

The session lasts 75 minutes.

Is the yoga suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The session is adapted for complete beginners, and it also welcomes people new to qigong.

What should I bring?

You should bring drinks. Mats are supplied.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Is this activity suitable for pregnant women or children?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, and it is not suitable for children under 10.

Where do I meet?

You meet at Hawes Farm at a white cottage with a yard and farm buildings. Look for the Wild Woodland Retreat sign, and someone will come to meet you in the yard.

Are there phone or smartwatch rules?

Yes. Hannah asks you to put your phone on airplane mode and to leave smart watches and fit bits in your car. Airplane mode still allows photos.