Dalston wheatfield and mill

It's rather like Dalston is returning to its farming roots. Remember how this used to be considered far from the city of London, that's why the Geffrye Museum was set up for the old folk to retire to the countryside. As part of the Barbican's Radical Nature exhibit, there is now a wheatfield and mill hiding in Dalston.

The Mill portion is hosting a number of events, plus the Mill is a cafe, so grab a cup of something and have a bit of a sitdown. Contemplate the original piece, which was a wheatfield in New York City and the differences/similarities with this one. I personally find this one a bit lacking, it's smaller and it's not in as much contrast as the original with it being next to skyscrapers. I think it's also that I do a lot of walking in the outskirts of London (Thanks to TimeOut's country walks) and there are wheatfields bang up against the outskirts of this city, where New York isn't quite so rural at its outskirts.

I do think it gives you some interesting ideas to ponder on your own at later times, but when you experience it, it feels like something is missing. Instead of blowing you away, it generates a feeling of "oh, okay". But the wheatfield is free, though you do have to get yourself to Dalston. If you combine it with a stroll through the Ridley Road market and and then finish up at London Fields Lido, you could make a good afternoon of it. If you're coming from further afield, head up to Stoke Newington Church Street for a wander and then pop into the Abney Park Cemetery.

I did like the Mill, it's not at all what I was expecting, and that delighted me. Here are a few commentaries on the exhibit to help you to decide to visit:
A down to earth commentary
An artsy commentary