Enjoy a 45 minute vertical farm tour at Corner Corner

In the heart of Corner Corner, Canada Water, a short stroll from both Canada Water and Surrey Quays, just beyond the entrance lies a fascinating world of urban farming a vertical farm where fresh greens thrive under precise, controlled conditions, no muddy wellies or wandering sheep, just lab coats and shoe covers.

Harvest London has been quietly revolutionising the way we think about food production since 2018, when founders Chris Davies and Matt Chlebek set out to create a more eco-friendly, sustainable food system from a lockup above a garage in Walthamstow. Their vision was simple but ambitious: grow exceptional produce closer to where people live, reducing food miles while delivering fresher, better, sustainable ingredients. Since then, the company has grown more than 100 varieties of edible plants through hydroponic vertical farming and has become a trusted supplier to some of London's finest restaurants.

The Corner Corner farm may be their boldest project yet. Instead of being hidden in an industrial unit, this farm is on full display. Behind glass, visitors watch 400 square metres of herbs and greens grow just metres from where they are eaten. We are fully committed to creativity and ecological accountability, so, of course, we headed over to Canary Wharf to catch up with co-founder Matt Chlebek to talk hydroponics and

fertiliser, and to take a guided tour of the farm. Spending time with someone who is genuinely passionate about their work is always refreshing.

An interesting aspect of Harvest London's approach is the system's simple efficiency. Crops are grown in carefully regulated environments using 95% less water than traditional farming methods, without the need for pesticides and with minimal transportation once harvested. Where conversations about sustainability can frequently feel overwhelming, Harvest London delivers a practical and optimistic example of innovation making a genuine difference. There is a very clear benefit to urban vertical farming “It is getting harder and harder to import produce,” says Matt “ Our customers get super top quality produce in 4-5 hours”

The produce itself looked exceptional.

Rows of freshly grown herbs and leafy greens stretched upwards in neat vertical columns, creating a scene which felt more science fiction than agriculture. If someone had told me I was standing inside a set from a science-fiction film, I might have believed them, although admittedly one with considerably better salad.

What makes the Corner Corner site particularly special is its approachability. Visitors don't need a qualification in environmental science to appreciate what's happening here. The farm invites curiosity, ignites conversations and reconnects people with where their food comes

from, something many of us have become increasingly disconnected from. Matt explained how the carefully controlled climate allows each crop to grow in ideal conditions, “ which means for us as a commercial operation we can supply our customerswith the produce they want, every day of the week, all year round”, regardless of what the British weather is doing outside. Equally impressive was learning how water and liquid

nutrients are continuously recycled and reused within the growing system, dramatically decreasing waste while maximising efficiency. Matt also guided us through the various stages of plant development, from tiny seedlings to fully grown harvest-ready crops. Seeing the speed at which the produce matures was genuinely astonishing and offered a powerful

insight into how technology is helping to reshape modern agriculture. Becoming emotionally invested in a basil plant's life cycle is rare, but we did.

A particular highlight of the tour was the opportunity to sample produce straight from the farm. The difference was immediately noticeable, and knowing that the crops are grown without pesticides made the experience even more satisfying, affording a healthy, safe and sustainable way to enjoy truly fresh food.

Showing a commitment toward education and community participation. Harvest London has established a place where visitors can see sustainable food production in action. School groups can discover the science behind modern agriculture, and curious food lovers can take part in a community tour of the farm. Everyone can learn about its pioneering growing methods through available tours.

As we left, there was a sense that we had seen a small part of the future. An era in which food is grown closer to home, where environmentally sound practices and technology work hand in hand, and where passionate people like Matt Chlebek and Chris Davies are helping make it all possible.

Book your 45-minute guided tour today to encounter the future of food firsthand. (from £11). To book, click HERE.

Address: Corner Corner, Maritime Street, London, SE16 7LL

Written By: Stacey Reeves

Photography courtesey of Corner Corner