Home to the Lake District National Park, two National Landscapes and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Cumbria is a popular place for hikers and history buffs alike.
Historically, Cumbria was known as the centre of the spice trade in the UK, and to this day it's known for spiced local delicacies such as the Cumberland Sausage, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Grasmere Gingerbread. Home to world-class local produce, food lovers will find the region a paradise. There are plenty of excellent restaurants, cafés, and pubs to tuck into, but if you want to discover the bounty of local produce on offer yourself, it's a farm shop you'll want.
From locally reared organic meat to shelves packed with homemade preserves and artisan treats, there is a whole world of deliciousness to be discovered in Cumbria's many and varied farm shops. So, where to begin? Let us help you out...
The Sawmill Café and Farmshop, Wasdale
Nestled in the heart of one of the Royal Geographical Society’s seven natural wonders, Wasdale, you'll find The Sawmill Café and Farm Shop. The Sawmill is set on the banks of the River Irt, complete with a working waterwheel and millrace running through the building.
Pop into the Sawmill Farm Shop and get ready to load up on all sorts of delicious local produce, including fruit and veg, meat, and deli goods. You'll also find a good range of local beers and English ciders, as well as a selection of wine. And if you fancy treating yourself, you'll also find a tempting range of hand creams, body lotions, candles and even books, perfect for your self-catering stay in Cumbria.
The café is a fabulous spot to fill up on something homemade and hearty. Sit outside and listen to the river running by, or snag a table inside and watch the waterwheel turn beyond. On the
menu, you'll find tempting pancake stacks, homemade soups, and local farm ice cream.
The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe, nr Kirkhaugh
Opening its doors in 2019, The Nook Farm Shop and Café has three aims: serving the community, promoting their local area, and supporting the Epiacum Roman Fort site.
If you're looking to stock up on beef or lamb, you've found your spot. Their home-bred beef and lamb are available to buy in the farm shop, along with a robust selection of vegetables, milk, preserves and homemade cakes.
Speaking of cake - after you've done your shop, pop into the café or swing by the information centre where you can learn all about the on-site Epiacum Roman Fort. There are two trails you can follow, which you can access from the car park, making this an excellent pick for keen ramblers and historians.
If you're travelling with children - or just love a bit of competition! - take the Venatus Trail. You'll be accompanied on the trail with guidance from the character, Marcus, a Roman soldier, and instructed to find hidden clues across the site. Once you've got them all, head back to The Nook and collect your certificate. Afterwards, why not head 3.5 miles down the road to Alston, England's highest market town.
Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Café, Kendal
A visit to Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop is sure to delight. As well as the farm shop, you'll find a café with a gallery window into the milking parlour, a local art exhibition with original artwork at affordable prices, and a free farm trail to explore.
Start off in the farm shop, where you'll find butter churned from local milk, freshly baked sourdough bread, and delicious meat from locally reared animals and free-range eggs with gorgeously yellow yolks. They scooped an accolade from The British Cheese Awards too, one of only 200 spots in the country to be highly recommended for its epic selection of British cheese. There's also a deli counter and preserves grocery, along with a drinks aisle, so there's everything you need, from a casual picnic to a fully fledged dinner party.
If you've got more time, a trip to the onsite café will never disappoint. Tuck into food made from scratch in the kitchen using local ingredients and their own beef, lamb, and even honey! And after that, head outside to walk it off on the free farm trail. You'll wander by a willow tunnel, play Pooh Sticks on the bridge, and spot the pond. Look for the twelve hidden ducks for the chance to win a sticker from the farm shop!
Afterwards, it’s just 4 miles into the historic market town of Kendal, a must-visit destination when in Cumbria. Whatever you do, don’t leave without some Kendal Mint Cake, a true regional foodie delight.
Brookfield Farm, Haverigg
A & J Phillips & Sons have been growing potatoes for over 30 years, and you can now stock up at Brookfield Farm. As well as potatoes, you'll find produce ranging from celery to chillies along with meat, including pork, beef, chicken and sausages. You'll find a selection of drinks, as well as coffee and milk, plus preserves and other larder items.
And the best bit? It's open 365 days a year, seven days a week from 7.30am until 9pm. It operates as an honesty shop, meaning you can shop first thing in the morning or last thing at night, whichever suits your holiday schedule best.
Basecamp North Lakes, nr Penrith
Set in the gorgeous gateway to The North Lakes, you'll find Basecamp North Lakes, with everything you'll need for some adventurous provisions. The farm shop is packed to the rafters with local goodies, including jams, marmalades, chutneys, sauces, honey and even peanut butter made within 10 miles. You'll also find local museili, freshly baked bread, local meat, Kendal coffee, free-range eggs, handmade butter and organic cheeses.
And if you arrive with hungry bellies, head for The Mess Hall, which serves up scrumptious, hearty breakfasts and lunches made with locally sourced ingredients. Think pies, pastries, and cakes all made on-site.
If you're looking for something to do in the area, why not meet some of their Alpacas afterwards? The award-winning social enterprise rehomes and rescues alpacas and llamas from across the UK, and visitors can hand-feed the herd and learn more about these magnificent creatures.
Further afield, it’s only 8 miles through Cumbria’s Eden Valley to Penrith, a market town with a 14th-century castle and nearby museum with Roman pottery and other artefacts. There are some great walks around here too, including Beacon Hill with its monument and stunning panoramic views.
Kitridding Farm Shop, Kitridding
Stock up on meat expertly prepared by the in-house butcher at Kitridding Farm Shop. Much of the native breed meat is raised on the farm, so you can see the high welfare and quality for yourself, plus traceability is not an issue! The animals here are home-reared, free from intensive, industrial farming methods. From spring through to late Autumn, they graze in the gorgeous Cumbrian countryside.
Treat yourself to some lamb from Swaledale sheep, a traditional native breed from the Yorkshire Dales, or tuck into some beef from the Shorthorn cattle. As well as a café, there's an on-site tea room, providing plenty of choice for an afternoon brew and a slice of cake.
If you’re looking for a pretty spot to wander afterwards, the sweet village of Milnthorpe is set on the banks of the River Bela and is only 8 miles away. Take a stroll around the market square or visit the nearby Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, home to over 100 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and more.
Plumgarths Farm Shop, nr Kendal
A family-run, independent farm shop near Kendal, farming has been in the family for generations. In fact, 2020 was the family’s centennial celebration. The land on which the stone farm shop now sits was originally farmed by Victoria's great-grandfather.
The focus at Plumgarths is their butchery counter. Visit and you could pick some local and seasonal salt marsh lamb from the nearby family farm, or beef and pork from other local farms.
Make your self-catering dinners extra tasty and opt for a meat pack and ask for their advice on marinades to get the flavours just right.
Owen's Farm Shop, Kirkby Stephen
Run by Rob and Jill Owen, the pair have been farming at Sandwath Farm in Kirkby Stephen since 2014. Both from local farming families, they have farming in their veins.
The Owen’s Farm Shop, along with the café, is a great way to stock up on their high-quality beef, lamb, pork and bacon. They also sell a range of local products that showcase where they were grown or reared, just look out for the Sandwath Miles stickers.
Head inside the shop and pick up some British spelt pasta, Appleby creamery cheeses, loaves from a nearby microbakery and cakes baked with love. It's also a fantastic spot for stocking up on artisan gifts for friends and family with handmade cards, locally fused glass decorations, unique paintings, luxurious handmade soap and more.
The café serves up an epic farm breakfast with all the trimmings, or opt for a breakfast roll for something lighter. Lunch includes soup of the day, ploughman's, and homemade baguettes.
Setmabanning Farm Shop, Threlkeld
The name, Setmabanning Farm, is believed to be derived from the Norse language and means 'Home of Banning'. The Banning family were the first settlers here, and today the farm is run by the Hutton family, who have been here since 1947. The land here has also been home to an ale house, which served the local quarry community. Once the quarry reduced its workers, the ale house eventually closed.
Today, the original methods of farming have been passed down through the generations, and though new technologies have been embraced, tried and true methods have not been forgotten.
You can discover it all for yourself with a visit to the Setmabanning Farm Shop, where you can buy coffee, milkshakes, cakes, pies, meat, eggs and jam, with everything produced on site or nearby. Afterwards, enjoy the stunning surrounding landscape, which boasts views of Blencathra and the fells.
Keen to plan your next foodie getaway to Cumbria? Peruse our collection of holiday cottages in Cumbria and get something to look forward to in your calendar.
