Wellington Farm Shop, Reading
Muddy says: Wellington Farm Shop & Cafe is a food lover’s haven. Expect high quality produce and a child-friendly cafe that’ll bust the waistband. The homemade dishes are to die for.
Surrounded by open countryside on the Berkshire-Hampshire border, you’ll want to take time to explore Wellington Farm Shop, it’s foodie heaven. Follow your nose through the farm shop and try not to drool. Some of the produce in the shop has come from Wellington Estate itself – ticking the low food miles box, but also the highest quality animal welfare.
If it’s not grown or reared on the estate, the produce is carefully selected from local producers but quality, seasonality and sustainability are paramount. So what can you find in this treasure trove of the taste buds? The Wellington Hereford Beef is naturally fattened on the Estate’s water meadows surrounding the Farm Shop and the lamb comes from the Welsh Black Mountain flock, which are allowed to mature slowly, to ensure optimum meat quality. Other meat and game is sourced from elsewhere but everything has to be free range.
There’s a wide selection of loose fresh fruit and veg (no unnecessary packaging here), local bread and cakes, local beers, ciders and wines, store cupboard staples and a spectacular range of cheeses from London’s infamous Neal’s Yard, which has a strong reputation for top notch British cheeses.
If you want to can’t wait to sample the goods, head straight through to the café. It’s open for breakfast, lunch or for you to grab a cuppa and a slice of cake – and there’s a takeaway menu, if you’re starving and eating on the hoof (or forgot the picnic on route to Wellington Country Park… Oops).
The cafe’s a cosy space with a woodburner raging in the cooler months and it’s very child friendly. Outside there’s a lovely play area for your little ones to let off steam while you enjoy five minutes’ peace, soaking up the sunshine and the spectacular countryside views.
Lady Honor Montagu, granddaughter of the eighth Duke of Wellington, is a trained chef who worked with the legendary Marco Pierre White. She founded Wellington Farm Shop in 2005, with a commitment to sustainability and quality… long before it was fashionable
It’s an absolute gem of place. They also put on special events, so keep your eyes peeled for Prosecco and Painting evenings, afternoon teas and supper clubs.
Need to Know
Address:
Wellington Farm Shop, Welsh Lane, Reading, RG27 0LT
Website:
wellingtonfarmshop.co.uk
Email:
info@wellingtonfarmshop.co.uk
Telephone:
0118 932 6132
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