If you’re looking for an organic and sustainable approach to your food shop, visit one of East Anglia’s best farm shops.
We’ve hit the road and explored the local towns and countryside to bring you the top 11 organic farm shops in the East of England.
Back to the Garden
Letheringsett, Holt NR25 7JJ
Sample some of Norfolk’s finest organic meat and vegetables at this treasure trove. Much more than just a shop, it has a butchers, deli, café and restaurant. All the meat you find at the butchers from the succulent steaks to the tantalising turkey has been reared organically on their private farm. No wonder this organic wonder is in The Times Top 20 Farm Shops.
Drove Orchards
Thornham Rd, Thornham, Hunstanton, Norfolk
Nestled on the coast road which takes you into the beautiful countryside of North Norfolk you’ll find Drove Orchards. Living up to its name, the place is home to 40 acres of orchards growing over 160 varieties of apple set in the 350 acre farm. On site you will also find a selection of shops selling clothes, jewellery and homeware. There are two places to dine, Eric’s Fish and Chips (read our pick of Norfolk’s best fish and chips) and the Yurt as well as Wild Luxury, Drove Orchards very own glamping site.
Walshingham Farm Shop
Guild Street, Little Walsingham, Walsingham, Norfolk NR22 6BU
Housed in a beautiful converted flint barn, the farm shop serves up the very best of Norfolk with 75 per cent of produce sourced locally. The butchery counter features a great selection of locally reared meat, while the open kitchen is at the heart of the shop and produces a delicious selection of pastries, pies, pates and more. There’s also desserts and groceries aplenty.
Top 10 farm shops in Norfolk
Maple Farm
Kelsale, Saxmundham, Suffolk
Owned and run by the Kendall family who have been producing organic products for over 50 years, the Maple Farm Shop prides itself on harvesting their crop only hours before it hits the shelves in the farm shop and local shops in the area, so customers receive the freshest vegetables, meat, eggs and poultry for miles around. Not only does the family pride themselves on their organic principles but they also work to protect rare breed livestock and local flora and fauna as part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Hollow Trees Farm Shop
A1141, Semer, Ipswich IP7 6HX
A roadside cart in 1986, Hollow Trees has grown significantly over the years. Now a 140-acre farm, its vegetables are picked daily, the meat is home-reared and there is home-baked bread and local and regional foods, wine and cider.
Longwood Farm
Tuddenham St. Mary, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6TB
Longwood Farm is celebrating its 20th year as a registered organic farm next year. Offering pork, beef, lamb, turkey and chicken, plus a selection of raw milk and cheeses. They supply to local schools, caterers and restaurants and more recently they have moved their shop online.
Radmore Farm Shop
8-10 Victoria Avenue, Cambridge
Radmore Farm Shop really does fly the flag high for organic produce in Cambridge. It stocks everything you could possibly think of from meat to vegetables, fruit to eggs and even organic baking products and sweet treats – all available to buy in store or online. They also deliver locally using their 100 per cent green energy electric van and from this year have committed to making half their store ‘zero waste’ meaning the bottles and containers can be returned to the shop to be re-used. You won’t find a plastic bag or egg box anywhere and their honey jars are reusable too.
The Gog Farm Shop
Heath Farm, Shelford Bottom, Cambridge
Here you will find a farm shop, café and kitchen and a butchery which have consistently won awards since 2014. With much of its produce organic, you can sit in or take away depending on your mood. Set in the Gog Magog hills, which are made of chalk, this is an ideal place to stop and fill your lunch boxes up before heading out to explore the local countryside.
Dunton Community Garden
Church Farm, Dunton, Bedfordshire
If you are looking for authentic, local organic produce, you won’t find more local than in Bedfordshire at this little gem. Run entirely by volunteers of all ages and nestled in the centre of Dunton, this really is a blink and you’ll miss it place. When you’ve found it, you’ll see the impressive 1.5 acres of land. The farm runs events throughout the year, including coffee mornings, food festivals and tours.
Find more farm shops in Bedfordshire
Carpenter’s Farm Shop
Sandridge, St Albans, Hertfordshire
Although not registered as organic producers yet, they are well on their way to be, already practicing traditional organic methods of growing their produce, using organic based fertilisers and manure. The majority of their crops are pesticide free, the full list as well as opening times can be found on their website.
Click here to read our round up of Hertfordshire’s best farm shops
Calcott Hall Farm Shop
Ongar Road, Brentwood CM15 9HS
A family run business for over 40 years, Calcott Hall features produce from 60 regional suppliers. The shop is stock piled with fresh fruit and veg, an in-house butcher, a huge choice of bread (the sundried tomato bread is a must-try) and selection of cakes for sweet cravings.
French’s Farm
Wigley Bush Lane, Brentwood, Essex
French’s Farm was established in the early 1980s by the Knox family. Offering fish, turkey, lamb, pork, chicken, beef and venison and boasting 165 acres of land, this is one of the biggest organic farms in the East of England. Fancy a visit? Pop in Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30am.
Sarah Green’s Organics
Mark Farm, Tillingham, Essex
If you can’t find the time to get out and about to do your shopping, why not have it delivered to you? Each week’s new crops are listed on the website. Just pick the items you want, place them in your online hamper basket, pay and they will be with you shortly. Boxes range from £8.50 to £20.
Foxholes Farm
London Rd, Hertford SG13 7NT
A regular award winner, Foxholes features an extensive range of local and regional produce. A foodies heaven, you’ll find everything from groceries and preserves to local micro-brewery beer and homemade pies. Make sure you stop by the cheese and deli counter.
