If you’re still looking to shop local and independent during the lockdown, some of Northamptonshire’s best farm shops are open for business as essential services!
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE a farm shop. Yep, I might be 26 going on 66 but I love it.
I don’t think it’s an age thing at all but purely a love for local produce and knowing what you pick up is going to be the best of the best.
There are lots of benefits for shopping locally from a farm shop – the food you’ll buy is much more sustainable and lasts a lot longer than supermarket bought stuff.
You will never find fruit and veg as big as you do in a supermarket… I mean, some of the onions I have seen are HUGE!
And the best part… you are supporting the local economy and you’re putting money into a family business!
So for my latest Northants Food Guide, I wanted to share some of the wonderful farm shops I love to support locally – as much as I can right now!
Here are some of the best farm shops in Northamptonshire. Which one is your local?
Pastures Farm Poultry
The most adorable, country farm you’ll navigate to in Northamptonshire.
Situated in the countryside between Olney and Yardley Hastings, Pastures Farm Poultry is just on the border Northamptonshire farm shop is family-run, with family values. They sell a wide range of products ready for you to get your hands on.
From cheese, milk, bread, homemade cakes, locally sourced meat, pies, plus they have their very own free-range poultry- something of which they specialise in having a free-range poultry on site at their farm where each bird lives and roams free in their grassy environment.
You can even pick your own fruit and vegetables outside and bring them into the shop in a little basket – I don’t know why, but that novelty doesn’t wear off and you can tell their produce has been picked fresh!
In normal times, they would have their cafe open to sit in and have a range of refreshments, but it is currently open for takeaway only.
You can find Pastures Poultry on Olney Road, Yardley Hastings, NN7 1HL.
Bell Plantation
Bell Plantation is open for business during lockdown.
This family run business nestled on the A5 just outside of Towcester, inside they have their own food hall which can easily be a farm shop as it’s your go-to for finding a sumptuous range of locally sourced, fresh food and produce.
Their mission is to provide their customers and the local community with unique, delicious and healthy food that is well sourced.
From fresh meat, bread, dairy, cafe produce, cupboard essentials, to local goodies, prepared food items, oils and vinegars and much more!
We always find something unique, fresh and different whenever we visit.
Find Bell Plantation on Watling Street, Towcester, NN12 6GX.
The Plough, Shutlanger
You may know The Plough, Shutlanger for being an award-winning restaurant and currently takeaway spot, but they have adapted and brought us a new reason to support them.
Following the success of them opening a shop during the first lockdown, the family-run business decided to introduce us to “The Plough Barn Shop” where locals can find all their essentials.
It has truly been needed, especially for someone like me who avoids supermarkets during the pandemic and is wanting a less crowded shopping experience.
Inside, you will find all your branded items as well as your local producer favourites like Friars Farm, Mellow Yellow and most recently, Bucks Brothers Gin. They also have a local flower provider who brings fresh flowers weekly, scrummy bakes and you can grab your coffee fix too!
It’s definitely given us a reason to go for a big country walk too!
Find The Plough, Shutlanger on 5 Main Road, Shutlanger, Towcester, NN12 7RU
Moorgate Farm
Moorgate Farm is located in Potterspury, just outside of Towcester on the A5 and is run by Susan who for the last few years has been delivering fresh fruit and veggie boxes to locals who want to support local farms. Their speciality is when Christmas comes around as they are a fantastic place to visit if you’re in need of a Turkey.
Susan has built a reputation far and wide for her Kelly Bronze Turkeys and we were fortunate enough to grab one last year and let me tell you, they won’t leave you hungry at Christmas!
Other than Christmas time, Moorgate Farm is open for your essential farm produce and you can also shop online and do click and collect too.
From ‘Make Your Own Veggie Boxes’, English Heritage Apples, Free Range Eggs… you won’t leave disappointed.
Find Moorgate Farm in Potterspury, Towcester, NN12 7QG
Beckworth Emporium
Another local place to visit to buy all your essentials is the Food Hall at Beckworth Emporium.
The Food Hall at Beckworth Emporium has all you could need that is fresh and local. All their local growers and suppliers make up their larger portion of their food hall, so you can always be sure they are supporting local businesses.
I’m never dissatisfied over what they have suppliers in every niche you could think of, including a whole showcase of what’s in season.
You will find everything from locally grown fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, rolls and cakes, independent alcohol brands like Warner’s, Saxby’s Cider and Two Birds Spirits and you can take home freshly made home dining kits from their Emporium Deli which includes luscious salads and tasty dressings.
Due to the pandemic, Beckworth Emporium are doing all they can to manage customer flow into the shop to ensure social distancing is maintained and that everyone can have an enjoyable experience.
Find Beckworth Emporium on 120 – 140 Glebe Road, Mears Ashby, Northamptonshire, NN6 0DL.
Smiths Farm Shop
Such a delightful farm shopping experience!
Smiths Farm Shop has been a family run business since 1958 when they turned their family farmland into a farm shop business. They grow all their own crops and work with local food producers of which Smiths Farm Shop can provide an outlet where they can sell their goods.
They started out growing strawberries using an honesty box outside a gate in the summer of 1958 and now, they source British farmers from across the rest of the country, meaning you can access the very best seasonal produce!
Inside, you’re greeted by a wonderful, cottage-like shop full of everything you could possibly want. If like me and you love a farm shop, your eyes will light up at the sight of everything!
You will also find the butcher hall by Sauls of Spratton as well as a deli counter, all the fruit and vegetables and lots of scrummy homemade pasta and curry sauces. The choices are endless!
You can find Smiths Farm Shop in Chapel Brampton, Northamptonshire, NN6 8AA.
Scotch Lodge Farm Shop
Scotch Lodge Farm Shop is a working family farm in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire and their farm shop consists of all your essential bits, as well as local produce, local businesses, special afternoon teas, tea & coffee, specialty cheese, and much more.
They also have a range of farmhouse bakes like pies, pasties, sausage rolls and indulgent fruit pies!
They currently have a “Click and Collect” option which you can use between Monday – Sunday from 11am to 3pm where you can place an order at the shop and organise a collection time. Deliveries are also available for the elderly who are isolating too.
Scotch Lodge Farm Shop is open throughout lockdown between Monday through Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
You can find them on Mears Ashby Road, Earls Barton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN6 0HQ.
Here are a few extra Farm Shops in Northamptonshire I am yet to navigate to but wanted to pop in!
- New Lodge Farm, Corby
- Glebe Farm Shop, Kettering
- Lancaster Farm Shop, Higham Ferrers
- Dovecote Buttery & Farm Shop, Kettering
- Marley Farm Shop, Daventry
I hope this inspires you to shop locally, whilst keeping safe too – remember to travel only when necessary to buy essentials!
Coming soon… I’ll be sharing where you can find your local farmers’ markets in Northamptonshire (including some online ones!) which are also open during lockdown!
Which farm shops will you be shopping from?
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