Best Farm Shops in the Cotswolds
If you have ever found yourself leisurely driving around the picturesque Cotswold countryside, you have undoubtedly seen many roadside signs advertising local farm shops. Small shops selling locally sourced produce have multiplied in the last few years. It is estimated that 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
Often celebrated as the epitome of farm shop class, Daylesford has it all. Located just outside the picturesque town of Stow-on-the-Wold, this sizeable estate is a day out by itself.
For over three decades, this large estate has been focused on organic farming. Almost everything in their shops and cafes is organic. The farm shop is the holy grail for anyone who loves food, with a wide selection of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, alcohol, meat, condiments, and everything in between. One of the highlights is the specially designated cheese room, which houses their award-winning cheeses.
It is worth setting aside a couple of hours to fully explore it. There is a courtyard restaurant, cafe, pizza oven, ice cream, homewares, books, garden center, wine bar, and the award-winning Bamford Spa.
Bruern Farms Shop & Cafe
Nestled in a quiet part of the Cotswolds outside Chipping Norton, this flour mill is a great place to stop to recharge. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch, as well as boasting an enticing cake counter.
The adjoining farm shop sells its own flour, as well as locally sourced meat, cheese, and other products. Seasonal events run throughout the year, including foraging classes and autumn festivals. There are also a couple of accommodation choices on site, including a shepherd’s hut and a silo.
Gloucester Services
When you think of Cotswold farm shops, a busy motorway doesn’t usually spring to mind. Opened in 2014, Gloucester Services is a family-owned business on the M5. Although this is technically a service station, it is pretty unique. Instead of fast food, you will find a cafe serving homemade food, coffee, and a large shop selling local produce. There is even indoor and outdoor kids' play areas.
One of the main pulls of this shop is that everything sold must have been produced within a 30-mile radius. If you walk to the back, you will even find meat, cheese, and other deli items. Perfect for fueling those scenic drives through the Cotswolds.
Vegetable Matters
At the other end of the spectrum is Vegetable Matters. Only one room, this farm shop sells local produce for the local community. Lacking some of the bells and whistles found at Burford Garden Centre and Daylesford, there is definitely a feeling of authenticity here.
Just outside the picturesque village of Ebrington, this shop sells seasonal vegetables, most of them grown locally on the Drinkwater Farm. Meat Matters, a family-run butcher, is also there for predominantly locally-sourced meat. Each Friday, the Grimsby Fish Man makes an appearance selling fresh fish.
There is also a small cafe here with a terrace offering spectacular rural views during the summer. Like any true country farm shop, dogs are welcome.
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.
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 flavours.
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
Although it is not the best farm in the Cotswolds, it is arguably the most famous. Owned by TV personality Jeremy Clarkson, it has gained notoriety from the TV show, Clarkson’s Farm. Selling local produce, some of which is made on site, is worth a visit. Due to its fame, it can get incredibly busy, and there are queues to enter the car park.
The Cotswolds are 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 have to offer is by visiting one of these fantastic examples of English farm shops.
