Yoga, but with a pulse.

This 75-minute session in South East England pairs easy yoga with a sanctuary herd of goats and sheep at Hawes Farm, near Canterbury, led by Hannah from Wildwoodland Retreat. The whole setup feels less like a class and more like calm chaos: you stretch, you breathe, and then you look down to find a sheep sitting right where your balance was meant to be.

I love the way Hannah runs it with real warmth and clear animal knowledge. I also love the flexible approach: you can do the yoga, or you can take a moment for a goaty cuddle whenever the animals decide that’s what the session needs.

One heads-up: this isn’t for you if you’re nervous around animals, because the herd is affectionate and will come close.

Key things you’ll remember

• A sanctuary setup, not yearly baby-goat “stunts”: the animals live there long-term, and you’re meeting them as residents.
• A beginner-proof format: no pressure to follow the movements perfectly, and the session is adapted for all abilities.
• Specific animals you can actually get to know: named goats like Lady Sprite, Banoffee, and Biscoff, plus Swiss Valais Black Nose sheep.
• Plenty of cuddling time: you’re not punished for pausing yoga to fuss with the herd.
• A real host rule about electronics: Hannah is electrosensitive, so your phone stays in airplane mode and smart wearables stay in the car.
• Seasonal extras in winter: starting November 2025, four baby pygmy goats may join the indoor yoga.

Hawes Farm near Canterbury: yoga in a real animal sanctuary

The meeting point is Hawes Farm, a white cottage with a yard and farm buildings. You’ll see a sign for Wild Woodland Retreat. Pull into the yard, then someone will come out to meet you.

This location matters. You’re not doing yoga in a polished studio built for one vibe and one crowd. You’re on a working-feeling farm where the animals have space, routines, and personalities. The countryside setting in Kent adds a calmer backdrop too, so the session lands as wellbeing with a dose of farm-life reality.

Hannah is the key person here. She leads the class and also owns the animals. That personal connection shows in how the session flows: less “here are the rules” and more “here’s how to relax with what’s in front of you.”

What a 75-minute session looks like (and why it works)

You’re booked for 75 minutes, so it’s long enough to settle in, but short enough that it stays fun. The tone is chilled out and “so not sensible,” which is exactly what you want when goats are involved.

Here’s the rhythm you can expect:

• You arrive, get oriented, and get a mat (they’re supplied).
• You start with movement that suits beginners and people trying out yoga for the first time.
• As the class continues, the herd moves in. Sometimes they join quietly. Sometimes they do what goats do: investigate, nudge, wander, and occasionally choose a better spot for you than the one you planned.

That last part is the secret sauce. Many yoga sessions teach you to ignore distractions. This one teaches you to work with them. When an animal comes close, you don’t have to muscle through your pose. You can pause, soften your shoulders, and let the moment reset your focus.

Also, the session isn’t rigid about staying “on” all the way through. There’s no rule that you must follow the yoga every second. If you feel you need a goaty cuddle or fuss, you can take it. That choice keeps the event from turning into a performance.

Meet the herd: Golden Guernseys, Swiss goats, Boer boys, and named personalities

This isn’t generic goat yoga where you’re just near animals. You’ll actually meet a herd with a range of breeds and temperaments.

On the property you may encounter:

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

The goats are described as super affectionate and love attention. In practice, that means you should plan for closeness. The herd can sit with you as if they’ve been invited to participate.

One part I especially like is the care story behind the setup. Hannah explains that this is a sanctuary, not a farm bred for repeated “baby goat yoga.” Six of the goats are described as unwanted dairy babies, and they live out their full life here. You’re not just borrowing animals for an hour. You’re meeting residents who have names and routines.

There are even named goats highlighted as part of the personality of the herd: Lady Sprite, Banoffee, and Biscoff. Hearing those names in the middle of a yoga class makes the whole thing feel more human, and less like a novelty.

If you’re visiting during the winter season after November 2025, there’s another layer: four baby pygmy goats may be used for indoor yoga across the winter. That’s exciting if you want more youthful, small-footed chaos, but it’s also a sign that the experience evolves with the animals’ needs.

Beginner-friendly yoga that’s really built for real bodies

You might ask, do you need to be a yoga pro? No. The class is suitable for complete beginners, and it’s adapted for all abilities. It also includes qigong, and Hannah welcomes first-timers to both.

The biggest practical difference from typical yoga classes is permission:

• You don’t have to “perform” every pose to the same standard you might see in a studio.
• You can adjust based on how you’re feeling and how the animals are responding.
• You can spend more time cuddling if that’s what your body needs that day.

This matters for value. Many activities sound fun but become stressful if you’re not athletic or experienced. Here, the structure supports comfort and laughs. And those laughs are part of the wellness angle, not an afterthought.

One more consideration: the experience is not suitable if you’re nervous around animals. If you want a quiet, controlled environment, this will likely feel too unpredictable.

Tips for photos, phones, and staying within Hannah’s electrosensitivity rules

This is one of the most unique parts of the experience: Hannah is electrosensitive.

So do this before you arrive:

• Put your phone on airplane mode.
• Leave smart watches and fit bits in your car.
• Airplane mode still allows you to take pictures.

It’s a small rule, but it’s a big deal for how respectfully the session runs. The class isn’t just about goats and sheep. It’s also about the comfort needs of the person leading the wellbeing.

Bring your own drinks, since food and drink aren’t included. If you want, you can also bring nibbles for the animals. The kinds listed include chopped carrots, parsnips, cabbage, cauliflower, apples, bananas, berries, kale, chard, lettuce.

If you bring snacks for the herd, use them responsibly and follow the lead of Hannah and the team. This is their sanctuary life, not a free-for-all.

Price and value: is $47 for goat yoga near Canterbury worth it?

The price is about $47 per person for a 75-minute session. That’s not the cheapest thing on a Kent day list, but I think it’s fair for a few reasons that you can actually feel in the experience.

First, you’re paying for more than yoga. You’re paying for time with an established sanctuary and a host who cares for these animals full-time. Hannah isn’t just teaching a trend; she’s running a home for goats and sheep.

Second, you’re getting structure that works for beginners. Mats supplied, adapted movements, and permission to take breaks mean you won’t waste your money trying to “keep up.”

Third, the cuddle factor isn’t an add-on. It’s part of the session philosophy. If you want a relaxing, laughter-friendly animal encounter with a gentle wellbeing component, that’s exactly what the 75 minutes are built around.

If you’re expecting a studio-style class with perfect silence and precise poses, you might feel like it’s overpriced. If you want the opposite, it feels like good value.

Who this is for (and who should skip it)

This activity is a great match if you want:

• a fun, chilled-out wellbeing experience in the Kent countryside
• animal cuddles with goats and sheep that are described as affectionate
• a beginner-friendly way to try yoga or qigong without pressure
• a host-led class where Hannah shares the animals’ personalities

It’s specifically not suitable if:

• you’re pregnant
• you have children under 10
• you’re nervous around animals

One more thought: even though the session welcomes all abilities, the format involves being near animals in close range. If that part stresses you, it won’t matter how gentle the yoga sequence is.

Goat and sheep walking in the rewilded valley (if you catch it)

There’s also mention of goat and sheep walking in a beautiful rewilded valley, but it’s described as slower to appear and less consistently published. If you see it available for your dates, it can be a nice add-on to the yoga session, because walking puts you in a different kind of rhythm with the herd.

If it isn’t available, don’t worry. The main yoga experience already delivers the key promise: goats and sheep interacting while you stretch and laugh your way through 75 minutes.

Should you book Canterbury Yoga with Goats and Sheep?

I’d book it if you want a wholesome, slightly silly day in the countryside where your wellbeing is real and your expectations stay flexible. Hannah’s sanctuary approach, the beginner-friendly structure, and the permission to cuddle when the herd comes close make this feel like a better kind of “unique experience,” the kind you can genuinely enjoy without worrying about getting everything right.

I’d pass if you need a quiet studio atmosphere, if animals make you anxious, or if you’re pregnant. In those cases, the closeness is the whole point, and it won’t work.

If your goal is a memorable, laugh-filled Canterbury-area activity that doesn’t require yoga experience, this is one of the easiest yes-decisions you’ll make.

FAQ

How long is the yoga session?

It runs for 75 minutes.

Where does the session start?

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

Do I need to be a yoga expert?

No. The yoga is suitable for complete beginners, and the session is adapted for all abilities.

What should I bring?

Bring drinks. If you’d like to feed the animals, you may bring nibbles such as chopped carrots, apples, bananas, berries, kale, chard, and lettuce.

Is any food included?

No. Food is not included, and drinks aren’t included either.

Is it okay for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 10.

Is it suitable for pregnant people?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant ladies.

Are there any rules about phones or smart devices?

Yes. Hannah is electrosensitive, so put your phone on airplane mode and leave smart watches and fit bits in your car. Airplane mode still lets you take pictures.

Is there cancellation flexibility?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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