If you have ever found yourself leisurely driving around the picturesque Cotswold countryside, you have undoubtedly see a sign or two advertising a local farm shop. Small shops selling locally sourced produce have multiplied in the last few years. It is estimated there are now 1,500 farm shops across the UK.
No longer are they simple sheds selling freshly dug potatoes. Today, they are so much more. Many have cafes and restaurants selling meals cooked with their own produce. You can even find some with places to stay, bars, and even a drive-through!
With so many to choose from where should you start? Luckily, we have chosen the best farm shops in the Cotswolds to get you started.
Daylesford Organic
Arguably the kind of the farm shops (or in my opinion at least!), Daylesford Organic has it all. Located just outside the picturesque town of Stow-on-the-Wold, this sizeable estate has everything on offer. They also have smaller shops in London selling their organic produce.
The large estate has been focused on organic farming for over three decades, as well as a move to reducing waste. Almost all of the produce they sell in their shops and cafes is organic and most of the ingredients are produced by them. The farm shop is a delight for any foodies, with a wide selection of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, alcohol, jams, and almost everything else you can imagine. One of the highlights is the specially designated cheese room, which houses their award-winning cheeses.
If you plan on visiting here, it is worth setting aside a couple of hours to explore. There is a courtyard restaurant, cafe, pizza oven, ice cream, homewares, books, and even a garden center. You can even check into one of the Daylesford Cottages or enjoy a day in the Bamford Spa. Nothing here is cheap (or even close to being cheap!), but the beautiful setting is worth even a coffee here.
Gloucester Services
When you think of Cotswold farm shops, you probably don’t think of busy motorways. But tucked on the M5 are Gloucester Services. Opened in 2014, Gloucester Services is a family-owned business. Inside, you will find a small kiosk serving coffee, the Kitchen which operates as a cafe/restaurant, and an extensive farm shop.
What sets Gloucester Services apart from other service stations is that they focus on quality and sustainability. Products sold here must have been produced within a radius of 30 miles of the services. The range on offer here is vast, with cakes, meat, cheese, clothes, and a good alcohol selection (for after the driving!)
Vegetable Matters
Vegetable Matters is one of the smaller farm shops on this list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit. Just outside Ebrington in the North Cotswolds, this shop prides itself on selling fresh, seasonal vegetables. Many of these are grown on the Drinkwater Farm farm, ideal for reducing those carbon emissions. As you would imagine, many of the items on offer here are seasonal, although they do stock other suppliers with a continued focus on keeping food miles to a minimum.
It isn’t just vegetables for sale. Meat Matters opened on site in 2021, a family-run butcher based in the Cotswolds. On Fridays during the summer, you can also find the Grimsby Fish Man.
If you are peckish, there is a small cafe with an outdoor terrace during the summer months. Here you can enjoy a locally sourced breakfast, drinks, and snacks. There is also a daily specials board which changes regularly depending on what is in season and what they have. Dogs are welcome, so nobody has to stay at home!
Jolly Nice Farmshop
The words ‘farm shop’ and ‘drive through’ don’t immediately go together. But this dream is a reality at Jolly Nice Farmshop. Opened by third-generation farmer Rebecca, this farm shop was once a petrol station. Today, it is a farm shop, drive-through, cafe, bar, and even ice skating during the winter.
The produce available here has been carefully selected to make sure it fits in with their sustainable and local vision. Expect to find something different depending on when you visit depending on the seasons.
Only opened in 2023, The Bar serves local beer and cider, burgers, and even local wine! During the summer there is regularly live music and DJs so it is worth keeping an eye on their Instagram. The Hive, housed inside a yurt, serves coffee and drinks. Burgers, salads, toasties, and their famous homemade ice cream are all on the menu daily.
The star of the show here is definitely the drive-through. Taking the concept of fast food, they are trying to show that convenience can still be sustainable. They use a network of local suppliers, all of whom share their core values.
Upton Smokery Farm Shop
If you are looking for a well-rounded farm shop, Upton Smokery is not it. If you are looking for exquisitely smoked meat, fish, and cheese, this is the place for you. Upton Smokery Farm Shop is just outside the village of Burford. They have truly mastered the art of smoking, and all their produce is the perfect balance of smoke, salt, and meat flavors.
They also have a range of rubs and sauces to take home and improve your BBQ game. Smoked salt, anyone? They do have other things for sale, such as vegetables, but this is more limited than some other farm shops.
Diddly Squat Farm Shop
This is more of a ‘destination farm shop’ than anything else! Opened by TV personality Jeremy Clarkson who decided to turn his attention to farming in 2020. Diddly Squat Farm Shop was cemented as one of the country’s most famous farm shops by appearing on the hit Amazon Prime TV show, Clarkson’s Farm.
If you have watched the show, you know they this shop has been plagued with controversies and successes. Crowds descend on this shop in their hoards, so expect to fight to get your eggs. Dismissed by some as a publicity stunt, there is a selection of Clarkson’s homegrown produce on sale here, including eggs, oils, and seasonings. However, what draws people more is the range of merchandise. Think tea towels, aprons, and bags with the Diddly Squat Farm Shop logo emblazoned across them.
The Cotswolds is a great place to spend a day (or a few!), with so many stunning villages, gardens, and houses to explore. Everywhere you look there are people growing some exceptional food and producing some delicious things. The best place to sample what the Cotswolds has to offer is by visiting one of these fantastic examples of English farm shops.
