Exploring the British Countryside: A Guide to Finding Charming Farm Shops

Venturing into the verdant expanse of the British countryside is a journey brimming with picturesque landscapes, quaint villages, and, of course, charming farm shops. 

These hidden gems not only offer an authentic taste of rural life but also provide an opportunity to connect with local producers and indulge in fresh, seasonal delights. 

If you're eager to embark on a gastronomic adventure through the heart of Britain, here's a handy guide on how to uncover these delightful establishments.

1. Embrace the Wanderlust:

One of the joys of exploring the British countryside is the serendipity of discovery. While modern technology has its merits, sometimes the best experiences come from simply setting off on a leisurely drive or a meandering walk along country lanes. Keep an eye out for signs pointing towards farm shops, often adorned with rustic charm and inviting imagery of fresh produce.

2. Consult Local Directories:

In an age where information is at our fingertips, tapping into local directories can be immensely helpful in pinpointing nearby farm shops. Whether it's a printed guide, a community website, or a smartphone app, these resources often provide comprehensive listings of farm shops in specific regions. Additionally, they may include valuable insights such as opening hours, specialties, and customer reviews.

3. Engage with Locals:

The British countryside is renowned for its warm hospitality, and locals are often more than willing to share their insider knowledge. Strike up a conversation with villagers, innkeepers, or fellow travellers,  you never know what hidden gems they might unveil. Their recommendations could lead you to lesser-known farm shops cherished by the community, offering a truly authentic experience.

4. Explore Farmers' Markets:

Farmers' markets are vibrant hubs of culinary delights, showcasing the best of local produce and artisanal crafts. While not farm shops per se, they often feature stalls operated by nearby farms, providing an excellent opportunity to sample their offerings and gather information about their locations. Many farmers' markets operate on weekends and special occasions, making them a delightful addition to any countryside excursion. Some British market towns still operate their traditional markets, some having operated for 1,000 years or more.

5. Harness the Power of Social Media:

In today's interconnected world, social media platforms can serve as valuable tools for discovering hidden gems. Follow local farm shops, agricultural associations, and food enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Not only will you stay updated on their latest offerings and events, but you may also stumble upon recommendations from fellow food lovers or announcements about pop-up markets and farm-to-table experiences.

6. Plan a Countryside Tour:

For those eager to delve deeper into the rural landscape, consider planning a dedicated countryside tour focused on farm shop exploration. Whether self-guided or organized through tour operators, these itineraries can take you on a curated journey through bucolic scenery, stopping at farm shops along the way to sample regional delicacies, meet local producers, and gain insights into traditional farming practices.

7. Let Your Senses Guide You:

Above all, allow your senses to guide you on your quest for farm shops in the British countryside. Keep an ear out for whispers of local markets or the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. Follow the winding lanes that beckon with promises of hidden treasures, and be prepared to be enchanted by the sights, sounds, and flavors that await around every corner.

In conclusion, exploring farm shops in the British countryside is not just about sourcing fresh produce; it's an invitation to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of rural life, forge connections with local communities, and savour the simple pleasures of the land. So, lace up your walking boots, pack a picnic basket, and embark on a culinary adventure through the idyllic landscapes of Britain's green and pleasant land. Happy exploring!

Incidentally you may find the Farm Retail Association to be of help: https://farmretail.co.uk

Local pubs deliver invaluable socio-economic value, ministers must act to save them, new report reveals

Government must give pubs which serve as the beating hearts of their communities greater support with tax rebates to safeguard the nation’s locals as vital social lifelines, a report from think-tank Localis urges.

In a report entitled ‘Inn-Valuable: unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs’, Localis also argues a minister for pubs role be reinstated to join up help for the country’s pubs sector, which supports 936,000 jobs, generates £28bn in GVA to the economy and delivers £15bn in tax revenues to the Exchequer, annually. 

According to polling undertaken by YouGov for the report, 75% of people believe pubs have a positive impact on community life.

When asked if pubs are important in bringing people together, over four-in-five (81%) of British adults agreed with this idea, with just14% feeling they aren't. 

Polling for the report showed 68% of British adults felt pubs have a part in helping to combat loneliness in their local area. 

Among pro-community activities supported by local pubs, almost half (44%) of people are aware of pub events that bring the community together, a quarter (25%) knew of local pubs that supported charitable causes and 17% knew of local pubs offering to support vulnerable people in their local area.

The research identified from case studies taken pubs across the whole country some dominant themes on how the sector supports local people and communities, namely by:

combatting isolation

supporting local causes

reflecting local culture

bringing local business together

supporting community through generations.

Pollsters also learned among social uses of pubs in the last three months, over half of the population (51%) had met a friend in one, while nearly two-in-five (37%) of people had visited the pub to meet up with family, a quarter (25%) had enjoyed Sunday lunch in one and 10% of the public had attended a pub-held birthday party in that timespan. In addition, 6%s of the public had used pubs for dating purposes and 13% watched a sporting event in a pub.

A key recommendation of the report calls for the re-establishment of a Minister for Pubs position to co-ordinate a cross-government taskforce responsible for long-term strategy for the British pubs sector and to lead on help with tax and regulation, alongside an emergency fund for energy bill support.

The report authors also make the case for business rates rebates for those pubs which take on socially valuable roles like foodbanks or in providing warm spaces for vulnerable people, with a call for a modest £4m cashpot to help 1,000 pubs to diversify at a cost of only £4,000 per pub.

Joe Fyans, who is head of research at Localis said: “Across Britain, pubs consistently played a pivotal role in knitting communities together and promoting social cohesion.

“In fact, pubs are the beating heart of many communities, playing multifaceted roles in local daily life. This is why the decline of pubs is obviously a great cause for concern. With each closure, both tangible and intangible voids are left behind.

“The lessons are clear: pubs, in all their forms and across all locations, remain integral to British social cohesion as hubs of activity, community, and social capital. This makes their presence all the more crucial as community safety nets and beacons of light, offering a lifeline hope for many people looking for a real sense of local belonging.”

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The stories highlighted in this report truly are just a snapshot of the hugely positive impact pubs have in communities across the whole country every single day.

“There are few businesses that can say they add both social and economic value and pubs are delivering that value in neighbourhoods from Lanarkshire to Liskeard, and everywhere in between. Pubs provide solace to people in tough times and a place to celebrate in others and to lose them would have a serious impact on people’s lives.

“With closures continuing to rise and pubs under threat from further duty and business rates cost hikes we hope the Government will giver serious consideration to the proposals put forward by this report so the foundations can be laid to help pubs continue to do this brilliant work in their communities long into the future.”

Becky Barnett who runs The Lamb Inn in Swadlincote, which features in the report, said: “We support our local community in a number of ways, including offering free food and drinks to people on Wednesday mornings. People can come into the pub, have a free hot meal, and in winter, sit by our log fire in comfy chairs, no questions asked.

“When times are tougher, we want to be a place where people can come for help and local people have been incredibly grateful of us opening our doors at no cost. At the same time, we are also facing challenges with higher energy bills and other rising costs so it’s a scary time for our business too. But we want to continue to provide a non-judgemental warm space for people, but we’re facing our own difficulties as well.”

Pub is The Hub chief executive, John Longden, said: “Pubs and publicans are the heroes at the heart of community life that provide essential local services and activities that create social value.

“They are a valuable lifeline for many rural areas providing vital local services and activities like village stores, allotments and community cafes, plus offering a safe space to tackle the major societal issue of loneliness.

“Pub is The Hub now estimates 1,000 more pubs and local areas could benefit from services if they can be directly supported in the future to diversify."

https://www.localis.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/InnValuable_Localis_WEBAWK.pdf

https://beerandpub.com/

(Image courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay)