| Places we like: Daylesford Organic Farmshop
Daylesford Organic Farmshop
The way my mother-in-law - a caterer in the Cotswolds - tells it, Lady Carole Bamford told her husband Sir Anthony she wanted to run a little farm shop, so he opened the stylish Daylesford Farm Shop to suit her. I'm doubtful as to just how true this story is, but the result is a grocery shopping experience elevated to almost haute couture levels. As you walk in you see gorgeous fruit and veg, lounging in tasteful baskets. A display of white flowers jostles for attention. And when you turn the corner, the food counters offer up the most tantalising treats we've ever seen - pungent cheeses, artisan breads, tempting pastries and cakes, organic meats - each section more appealing than the last. Cheeses are hand-made next door at the Creamery using traditional methods - the farm's Organic Cheddar won Best English Cheese in the British Cheese Awards 2002. Book a time on Mondays or Thursdays to watch the cheesemaking in progress. Once you've done your shopping, grab a table on the ground floor by the gifts section (loaded with edible goodies and wonderful pottery) or in the upstairs seating section and enjoy a cup of tea, a freshly squeezed juice, light meal or pudding. Even pooches are pampered here, with their own dog parking area and organic biscuits. But while the experience at Daylesford is up-market, the farm doesn't lose sight of its roots - focusing on organic products and sustainability. Daylesford has now opened the Hay Barn, an airy eco-spa made with recycled materials and offering holistic treatments such as Indian head massage, shiatsu and yoga. Read more about the Cotswolds, where Daylesford is located. Want information and advice on another destination or attraction? Get advice from other iVillagers on the Budget Travel board:
|