A "gem in the crown of farm shops" is to feature in a new TV series about the best farm shops in the country. Welbeck Farm Shop in north Nottinghamshire is one of the stars of the programme, Britain's Poshest Farm Shop.
Since launching in 2006 the farm shop has provided shoppers with good quality fresh, locally-sourced food and drink. The shelves are filled with delicious things to eat and drink, sourced largely from the historic estate or from small regional producers, who also share the same genuine passion.
Shoppers can buy artisan breads and pastries, handcrafted ales, and cheese, all crafted at Welbeck, and milk from the estate’s pedigree dairy herd. The award-winning butchery counter stocks meat and game that’s been traditionally reared on the estate or sourced from local farms, while seasonal fruit and vegetables are supplied by local growers.
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Many of the items are put to good use in the Harley Cafe, just a stone's throw away across the courtyard within the grounds, nestled within the heart of Sherwood Forest.
The two-part series gets underway on Channel 5 on Friday, August 12 and Welbeck Farm Shop airs in the second episode on August 19. Narrated by Patricia Hodge, it's described as "a warm and touching look at why we all love a farm shop, the characters that inhabit them and the people behind the scenes that work so hard to create outstanding produce."
Nicky Taylor, creative director at programme makers Out of the Blue Productions, said: "We found that Welbeck is probably the gem in the crown when it comes to farm shops, we didn't find any to compare; the largest walled garden in Britain, its own dairy and unique cheese, its own School of Artisan Bakery.
"But it doesn't shout or brag about its skills or its qualities - it truly is a best-kept secret, at least it was to the manager Ollie who as a local lad didn't know it existed until he started working there! In the film we see Welbeck enter the prestigious Farm Shop and Deli Awards and reap the rewards it richly deserves."
Farm shop manager Oliver Stubbins said he's not one for being in front of the camera, but added that it was a wonderful opportunity to share the fabulous work the team does daily.
"There is an abundance of passion for food and great pride in providing relaxed and naturally friendly service, and to showcase this is a rare and exciting experience. The timing of the filming couldn't have been much better either. Finding out our butchers had won the Central and Eastern Butchery of the Year award was a great feeling. To have the team's efforts recognised by both customers and industry experts is a testament to what they do."
David Wall, head of fresh foods, added: "I think customers enjoy shopping with us because they get a friendly, professional service from people who love food and eating, so are fully engaged with our products. On the shelves, we have a fantastic selection of beer made on the estate, some really good wine and enough other ingredients to stock a well-travelled cook's cupboard."
Customers regularly heap praise in the reviews they leave for the shop. One shopper said: "Excellent shop with an amazing range of products. Set in an idyllic setting."
One man said: "The deli counter is amazing! Pâté, cheese, baked goods! Sublime!! I guarantee you will not waste a single mouthful! if you want quality you need search no further afield than here. Five star!"
A film crew travelled to seven farm shops in all, in locations including Devon, Sussex, North Wales and Lincoln's Doddington Estate, where hard-working owner Claire Birch, whose family has lived in the grand Doddington Hall for more than 190 years, shares a sneaky peak of the estate’s ancient and sometimes hilarious recipe archive. A Nepalese Ghurkha turned cowboy, responsible for caring for the estate’s heritage herd of Lincoln Red cattle, also stars.
Tune in to see Lincoln's Doddington Farm Shop on August 12 and Welbeck on August 19 at 8pm.
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