Stanley: Fitzroy Farm Tour

Experience the rich history and daily life of Falkland Islands farming with a guided tour of Fitzroy Farm, complete with live demonstrations, a traditional 'Smoko' break, and opportunities to interact with farm animals. Discover sustainable farming practices and explore historic sites on this immersive journey through Falklands culture.

Starting at the Jetty Visitor Centre you will meet you Driver/guide, they will essentially give brief history of the Falklands, talk about how sheep farming started and up to present day, including an introduction to how Falkland Landholdings Corporation, who own Fitzroy, came about and its role in Falklands farming. Guests will be transported directly to shearing shed and passengers alight and walk few steps to sheep pens at rear of shed. A display of dog handling, bringing sheep forward into pen and then into shearing shed will be demonstrated. Guest will then enter shed through main door. A short talk is given on the layout of the shed, showing shearing floor and wool preparation, classing and pressing areas.

A short shearing demonstration (2 or 3 sheep) including a wool handling demonstration will be given explaining the process of wool, from sheep to market. Also, an opportunity to feel the wool. Including display of farm vehicles outside shed to show the progress over the decades, from horses to quads/motorbikes and 4x4 vehicles for farm work. Guests will walk (approx. 150 meters) or drive to Settlement Hall for ‘Smoko’. Restrooms will be available for use. ‘Smoko’ is the traditional name for mid-morning or afternoon break, you will be served homemade cakes and biscuits, including scones with cream and jam, and savoury pastries by a Falkland Islands Tourist Board “Taste of the Falklands” winner. Farm Manager Gilberto, his partner Suzi, plus Fitzroy residents are on hand to answer questions and/or give short talk on life and farming in the Falkland Islands.

There is an opportunity to buy small selection of locally crafted souvenirs. The Settlement Hall also has some displays of 1982 history, particularly the role Fitzroy and surrounding area played. If weather is insufficient for outdoor parts, then hens, sheep, miniature horses can be bought to hall for viewing. Pax walk from Settlement Hall (approx. 300 meters) or drive to polytunnels/vegetable gardens (there is a very short walk for pax from gate to tunnels). View polytunnels and vegetable gardens; see/feed/pet sheep and miniature horses; talk about holistic /managed grazing, water & energy sources for the farm. Pax can then either walk across field past old cow shed and dog runs and on to hen runs for a further insight into life on a farm. And then make their way to the Farm Managers House to see their flower garden. Alternatively, pax can re-join minibuses and drive to Farm Managers House to look around garden, see display of horse gear and gear making tools in house, and use restroom. The tour at the farm will then conclude and guests will embark back to Stanley, with chances to see unique local geology in form of stone runs, and one of the key 1982 Battle Mountains. Opportunity to stop at key points for photography.