The New Forest is a well-established foodie haven with cosy cafes and fine dining establishments a stone’s throw from wherever you’re staying. And if you want to stock up on the tasty local produce you’ve become accustomed to, there are a plethora of lovely farm shops to explore, offering fresh, artisan wares.
From bakery essentials and fresh veg to local cheeses and preserves, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your hands on the best of the best, making your stay at one of our self-catering cottages in the New Forest that much more delicious! Check out some of the best farm shops in the area.
Hockey’s Farm Shop is one of the top destinations for locally sourced produce and provides a great day out in its own right. Browse a fantastic range, including premium meat cuts, seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, cheeses, homemade jams, local gins and much more.
The on-site cafe is another must. Here, you can enjoy a tranquil afternoon tea or light lunch. Most of the menu is sourced from the farm shop itself.
The farm also has an impressive sustainability record and has been named a ‘Sustainability Champion’ by the New Forest National Park, highlighting a dedication to greener business practices.
Longdown Activity Farm is a wonderful attraction for the whole family, with exciting outdoor play areas and an animal petting zoo. Alongside the fun and activities, you’ll also find a fabulous farm shop located at the entrance.
The store stocks a wide variety of local fare unique to the region. Shop for locally-reared meat, sausages, fresh fruit and veg, award-winning cheeses, free-range eggs, local honey, homemade cakes and even New Forest ice cream, along with plenty of other delights.
You can also request a made-to-order hamper filled with all your favourites.
Located on the outskirts of Brockenhurst, Setley Ridge is a lovely place to visit, perfect for whiling away an afternoon with laid-back vineyard tours and wine tastings.
The farm shop is a haven for New Forest produce and is dedicated to supporting local suppliers. The shop has formerly been voted The Best Supporter of Local Produce by the New Forest National Park.
Products include fresh bread baked each day, fruit and vegetables, meats, dairy produce, pies, cakes, jams, wine, beer and soap. The Setley site is also home to a garden centre and tearoom, making it a brilliant one-stop shop!
The constantly changing seasonal offerings at Beaulieu Farm Shop ensure a diverse and varied selection of premium foodie essentials. Stock up on a range of treats from meat, dairy and fruit and veg to sumptuous sauces, handmade cakes, quiches, traditional ciders and so much more.
While they are specialists in Beaulieu Estate Venison and Hatchet Herd Pedigree Dexter Beef, the store is always adding to its range and working with additional suppliers to keep customers coming back for more.
This is another one-stop shop that encourages you to move away from supermarket stores and do the weekly shop locally, supporting New Forest suppliers and produce that hasn’t had to travel far.
At Ferndene, you can stock up on seasonal fruit and veg, homemade sausages, artisan breads and baked goods, fresh dairy products, deli goods, craft beers and plenty more. There is also a mini garden centre with plants, fresh cut flowers and Christmas trees in the winter.
Run by expert butchers, Danestream farm shop doesn’t disappoint when it comes to local meat and game, which is all personally selected to ensure the best quality.
Along with traditional butchers offerings, they also have an in-store bakery with fresh bread, pies and sandwiches. An extensive selection of locally-sourced chutneys, honey, dairy products and free-range eggs make this a fully-stocked farm shop well worth visiting.
Located on the edge of the New Forest, Sopley Farm grows almost 20 different fruit and vegetable crops, with some available as Pick Your Own options and others to stock the glorious farm shop.
Picking your own produce is a great way to feel closer to nature and really appreciate the food you eat. Plus, it’s a fun and educational day out for the kids. When in season, you can pick strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plums, runner beans, broad beans and pumpkins.
Along with all the lovely fruit and veg that’s grown on-site, the farm shop stocks fresh eggs, local honey, treats from the bakery and other locally-grown produce not from the farm itself.
A trip to any one of these farm shops will certainly keep you fueled on your New Forest adventures!
For those evenings when you’re not planning on cooking for yourself, check out our recommendations for the best restaurants in the New Forest.
