Potatoes grown on the farm, and eggs collected from their chickens, are how it all started for the lovely family that run Allington Farm Shop, near Chippenham in Wiltshire.
Over 40 years ago, the farm shop looked very different to its current form but it has always been well supported, as local customers realised the joy of buying local, home grown produce and supporting local suppliers. The shop has evolved through the years and has won various awards along the way. Today it boasts an in-house butchery, a delicatessen counter, a fresh fruit and vegetable display, a bakery section and lots of lovely store cupboard staples to make your mouth water.
There’s a wide range of meat in the butchery, most of which is reared on the farm, and the delicatessen displays local cheeses, chorizo and wild boar salami, olives, pates, pies and handmade scotch eggs. It would be hard not to be tempted by something from this smorgasbord of goodies.
If there is still room in your basket after visiting the fresh counters, then hover for a while in the frozen section where you can find pastries, frozen fruit and full home-made ready meals to make cooking a little easier at home. And ice cream, of course! The Allington Hamper is another offering which is available all year round and makes the ideal gift for that special someone. It can be filled with the goodies of your choice. What a lovely idea!
Locals and visitors alike will find something delightful at Allington’s farm shop, even the staff agree. Two employees have recently received an award for long service, having worked at the farm shop for 15 years. That is a pretty impressive retention record!
Just next door to the farm shop is a wonderful café with indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive menu filled with home-cooked fayre, coffee and cakes. And if that leaves you wanting more, the team at Allington also offer a hog roast service for your own event. They will provide the delicious hog and set up the gazebo and serve it to your guests. Now what excuse can we come up with to throw a party?!
Follow the farmshop on Facebook and Twitter and find out more at www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk.
