Newlyns, Hook, Hampshire
01256 704128
This multi-award-winning farm shop, cafe and cookery school hosts lambing week- ends and a young'uns night every Thursday for children. A price-comparison page on the website shows that the farm consistently undercuts the supermarkets on beef and lamb. Ludlow Food Centre, Ludlow, Shropshire 01584 856000
Some 50% of the food the farm sells is made in its own kitchens, including cheeses and ready meals. Beef, lamb and Gloucester Old Spot pork and fruit and vegetables all come from the Oakly Park estate, where the shop is based. Kimbers' Farm Shop, Charlton Musgrove 01963 33177
Somerset Foodies such as Hugh Fearnley-Whitting- stall rave about the Kimbers' welfare- friendly rose veal. Homebred beef, pork and turkeys at Christmas also feature beside their own raw milk.
Hopetoun Farm Shop, Newton, West Lothian 01506 830716
Banish thoughts of deep-fried Mars bars with all the best local Scottish produce from the delicatessen and in-house but- chery selling home-reared beef, lamb, venison, poultry and game. Cwmcerrig Farm Shop, Gorslas, Camarthenshire 01269 844405
With 8,000sq ft of the best local and home- produced foods, this shop, run by the award-winning Watkins family, is one of the largest of its kind.
Chatsworth Farm Shop, Pilsley, Derbyshire 01246 583392
Britain's first estate-based farm shop opened in 1977 and continues to set the standard for home-produced and local food.
Knitsley Farm Shop, near Consett, Co Durham 01207 592059
Edward and Rachael Jewson put their all into this farm shop and cafe-and it shows. An on-site artisanal bakery, but- chery and deli make it an essential stop for anyone visiting the area.
Bodnant Farm Shop, Conwy, Snowdonia 01492 651100
From prime Welsh Black beef hung for a minimum of 21 days to Bodnant's own Aberwen cheese and honey, and the best artisanal food Wales has to offer.
Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, Suffolk 01473 786610
Set up by farmers for farmers, this con- verted cattle shed sells produce from the owners' farm along with that from a huge range of local producers. One of these in every county would be good.
Farrington's Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney, Bristol 01761 452266
Another family-run, multi-award-winning operation. Andy and Tish Jeffery (with the help of a Friesian cow called Gert) have created a popular venue for food lovers, children and people who want to learn more about farming.
* Can house prices be boosted by foody credentials?
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A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
