10 of the best farm shops in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is filled with fantastic food and drink producers, making everything from decadent cheeses to craft beers and British charcuterie to traditional breed beef. From the farms and pastures of the Dales to the Pennines, we’ve rounded up a handful of inspirational farm shops that are pushing boundaries with exciting expansions, diversifications and above all a great passion for quality, local food and drink.

Do you think your Yorkshire farm shop belongs on our list? Get in touch!

Minskip Farm Shop

Location: Boroughbridge, York
Shop hours: Every day, 9am-4pm

As part of our Daring to Diversify series, Speciality Food spoke to Ben and Emma Mosey, founders of Yolk Farm in Minskip – home to their ‘world first’ on-farm free-range egg restaurant. Yolk Farm boasts a flock of 500 hens, which, alongside a host of local producers, help to stock their on-site farm shop.

Unsurprisingly, their golden-yolked eggs are one of the biggest attractions for shoppers. “Fresh eggs come in daily from what is known as our ‘hen spa’, a 6 hectare paddock where our hens get to roam freely,” Emma explains. 

Second only to the eggs is the farm’s seasonal, fresh fruit and veg, which are top quality. “In the summer months we stock our very own produce grown right here on the farm; from corn to beetroot and rhubarb. What we don’t grow ourselves, we source only the very best from as close as possible to our doorstep, supporting local farmers and other small producers,” Emma continues. 

Come summer, the farm’s BBQ meats also “fly off the shelves”. The Moseys work closely with local butchers TS Hartley & Sons to offer the freshest meat at the best value. “We have just started selling some brilliant BBQ packs to make life easy for customers, featuring four burgers, four sausages and four pork steaks,” Emma says.

The family-friendly farm has Kune Kune pigs, alpacas and goats, which are popular with visitors, and a Christmas gift grotto in the winter, and the shop features zero-waste dispensers and sells its own-branded products, including sausage rolls, pork pies, jams and chutneys. But they love working with local producers too, including Herb Fed Poultry, just around the corner in Easingwold. “Their herb-fed, award-winning chickens are fed a unique diet that includes over 10 varieties of fresh herbs, making them taste simply amazing!” Emma says.

And of course, visitors can’t stop by without a visit to the restaurant. “Our famous What Came First chicken pancakes really are a taste sensation,” Emma says. “Think crispy fried chicken, a fresh pancake stack and a golden yolk fried hen’s egg topped with our secret hot sauce hollandaise, smoky bacon, maple syrup and house pickles! You won’t be leaving hungry, we can assure you.”

Fodder Farm Shop

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Shop hours: Every day, 9am-5pm

Established in 2009, Fodder was created to help and support the local farming community in North Yorkshire. “We sell locally sourced food and drink in our award-winning farm shop and café, and online from our home in Harrogate,” says Vanessa Pitt, general manager. 

The farm shop’s shelves are packed with fresh fruit and vegetables, lovingly made cakes and bakes, an award-winning butchery selling 100% quality Yorkshire meat sourced with care from known and trusted farmers and a deli where customers can sample fresh pies, cooked meats and a selection of 67 different Yorkshire cheeses.

“We’ve searched our beautiful county to source the very best farmers and producers and we are beyond proud to work with more than 430 Yorkshire farmers and producers. An amazing 85% of what we sell and serve comes from Yorkshire,” Vanessa explains. Many of the producers Fodder works with have been there from the beginning, such as Lottie Shaws, Ian Taylor eggs and Just Jenny’s ice cream to name a few – but they are also always on the lookout for new and exciting producers. The shop’s top-selling products are chicken breasts, Fodder scones and Ian Taylor eggs.

And their dedication to supporting the Yorkshire farming community to grow and prosper doesn’t stop there. “Not only do we support farmers directly by buying from them, but every penny we make goes to support the work of the charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society,” Vanessa adds.

With the health of the nation falling into a crisis point, Fodder also wants to inspire customers to eat well, so they’ve prioritised making local food accessible and affordable to their customers. But the team knows that flavour is everything for true foodies. “Championing Yorkshire food and drink, our team of staff are dedicated to ensuring customers enjoy their food experience with us.” 

The on-site café also showcases this wide range of locally sourced food, and customers can order from a varied menu of local and seasonal products. “We are passionate about eating food in season – when it is at its best and most nutritious.” For those planning a visit to the cafe, Vanessa recommends the Great Yorkshire breakfast or the Fodder burger – two unmissable options.

Farmer Copleys

Location: Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday-Saturday, 8.30am-5.30pm; Sundays, 8.30am-4pm

Farmer Copleys Farm Shop opened 2003, but the Copley family has been farming for over 140 years. Now, run by Robert and Heather Copley, fourth generation farmers, the family continues to expand and diversify the farm, from opening the shop and the Moo Cafe to adding pick your own facilities and a production kitchen on site. There’s even accommodation with the farm’s Farmhouse location.

As well as growing as much as they can in their own fields, including rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, corn, pumpkins and more, the farm also produces its own fresh, local honey with their hive of over 1,000 bees.

The team consider the farm shop the “jewel in the crown of Farmer Copleys”. The shop is stocked firstly with local produce fresh from their own fields or homemade by one of the team. If they can’t make or grow it themselves, the team then source from trusted regional suppliers to feature the best food and drink Yorkshire has to offer, made to the highest standards of taste and welfare.

The backbone of the retail business is formed by Farmer Copley’s butchery department, run by head butcher Craig, which has won numerous awards. They source their meat from several Yorkshire farms, including lamb from Steven Crabtree at Bolton Abbey, and beef from a handful of Yorkshire farmers who all produce grass-fed Black Limousine crossed heifers, in addition to their own supply of beef.

The bakery, led by head baker Christophe, supplies the deli and cafe with handmade pies, sausage rolls, quiches and cakes, as well as seasonal specials. The deli counter includes a rotisserie, and the team take pride in helping customers find the perfect cheese or pastry.

Another big draw for customers is the shop’s gelato parlour. The recent addition has been a huge success, and all the gelato is made on-site using Yorkshire milk from Barkhouse Dairy in Huddersfield and British sugar.

Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5.30pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm

Boasting the title of ‘Britain’s oldest farm shop’, Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop has an ethos centred around the ‘pasture to plate’ experience, and they offer as much produce as they can from their own farm.

The farm business dates back to the 1920s, but the shop opened its doors in the 1970s after Charles Hinchliffe made the decision to breed, rear and produce his own high-quality cattle to supply demand from his butcher’s shops. With more than 90 years of experience selling fresh food from the finest local producers, the team at Hinchliffe hand pick everything they place on their shelves to ensure only the freshest, family-produced food from trusted local farmers and growers is served to their customers.

Customers get the full farm shop experience, with home-reared beef, award-winning pies, sausages and bacon from the team of highly skilled butchers; freshly baked bread and cakes from the on-site bakery and freshly laid eggs from their own flock of hens. There’s also a deli counter where you’ll find cheese from Yorkshire, in addition to British and Continental favourites, as well as handmade, fresh ready meals for those looking for a convenient way to support local producers.

Hinchliffe’s has also branched out into fine wines with a new wine wall, featuring a selection of classics as well as modern tipples, including the best from British producers. Some are so exclusive, the team says they can’t be found anywhere else in Yorkshire.

Hinchliffe’s journey has not always been easy. In 2010, a fire tore through the farm, destroying the farm shop, butchery, restaurant, greenhouse and offices. But the team’s ingenuity meant the show went on, and they used everything from a cattle box to a temporary marquee as a base to sell their wares. In 2019, the brand new state-of-the-art farm shop and the Rusty Bull restaurant finally opened.

Drewton’s Farm Shop

Location: Nr. Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 9am-4pm

Established in 2010, Drewton’s is an award-winning farm shop set in 1,200 acres of Yorkshire countryside, with a butchery, deli, grocer, pantry, cellar and gifting area, along with a popular restaurant offering brunch, lunch and afternoon teas. 

“The Farm Shop works with and supports over 250 local Yorkshire farmers, growers, producers and suppliers, and a team of seven chefs create amazing dishes for the restaurant, deli and butchery, as well as for weddings and events,” says Katie Taylor, proprietor of Drewton’s.

The shop sells freshly laid free-range eggs from just down the road, and when the season is right, customers can also find fruits are picked fresh from the Drewton Estate. Local honey, rapeseed oil, chocolates and other store cupboard staples are sold in the pantry, as well as a range of homemade preserves, pickles, chutneys and sauces. The in-house chefs create ready meals and ‘bake at home’ savoury and sweet pies, too.

Katie says the shop works with many fabulous local artisan producers, but Drewton’s own team are known for going above and beyond to create fantastic food. “Our own chefs produce only the very best for the business, and we are exceptionally proud of them!” The shop’s best-selling products are Drewton’s handmade steak pies and sausage rolls, quality Yorkshire fillet steak, and Lottie Shaw’s range of bakery products.

The Kitchen at Drewton’s, an on-site restaurant serving brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, is also very popular with visitors. “Afternoon teas are a delectable treat and are extremely popular,” Katie says. The kitchen’s best-sellers include Drewton’s Signature Yorkshire Breakfast, eggs benedict and homemade quiche and salads. “Interesting, tasty, and creative brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and specials menus feature the very best of local, seasonal and sustainable produce!” she adds.

Set in the Drewton Estate, the site also features a purpose-built wedding and events venue, which was added in 2019. The Manor Rooms can cater for up to 220 guests, with stunning views across the rolling Yorkshire Wolds. Holiday cottage accommodation can also cater for up to 16 across three properties, and Katie says workshops and ticketed events prove popular throughout the seasons, with pumpkin foraging always a great family affair.

Craggies Farm Shop

Location: Cragg Vale, West Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm; Saturday 8.30am-4pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm

Craggies Farm Shop opened in 2015 as a shop and cafe with an aim of selling brilliant, locally sourced meat, as well as a wide range of value-added meat products and produce, much of which is sourced from the South Pennine area. In addition to this, Andrea Mellor, the founder of Craggies, says the shop is bursting with meal ideas and foodie gifts for customers, including ever-popular pies and deli produce, such as cheeses from across Yorkshire and Lancashire, plus varieties from further afield too.

In fact, the shop’s most requested products from customers are its homemade pies – especially steak pies and cheese pies – its butchery meal deal range and its premium aged steaks, including tomahawk and butter-aged rib eye. 

The butchery boasts three generations of knowledge, so they are always on hand to advise customers. They have one rule that they live by: quality meat comes from well-looked-after animals. Locally sourced, high-welfare meat is the shop’s top priority.

Andrea has fostered great relationships with local producers to bring a variety of products to customers, including the craft brewery Vocation, the shop’s next-door neighbour. “We stock a wide range of their beers,” she says. And another favourite? “We love Just Jenny’s ice cream and have traded with them since 2011.”

The busy cafe also serves customers seven days a week, with the site’s location high above Cragg Vale offering enviable views of the surrounding moorland and attracting keen walkers and cyclists. At the cafe, Andrea says breakfast is the most popular dish on offer. “We also find our homemade pies and the special board are very popular,” she adds.

Mainsgill Farmshop

Location: East Layton, North Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday 8.30am-5pm; Sunday, 9am-5pm

Mainsgill Farmshop and Tearoom has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. From the family’s purchase of Mainsgill Farm in 1995 to the opening of their first shop in a converted garage in 1998, the site has continued to grow steadily over the years. Since the first purpose-built farm shop was established in 2001, there have been multiple expansions and extensions over time to diversify the offering and accommodate growing interest in the shop, and the family now farms over 1,200 acres.

In the shop, they sell their own home-grown produce as well as hand-chosen products sourced from the best local and regional suppliers. At the centre of the shop’s granary food hall, customers can find homemade, fresh pies (supplied by in-house bakers), ready meals and home roasted, cured meats.

Traditionally home-reared meat is at the heart of Mainsgill’s offering, and the butchery department takes centre stage in the food hall. All the meat sold – including grass-fed beef, lambs grazed on lush pastures and rich, succulent pork – comes straight from the farm in the Holmedale Valley near Richmond, North Yorkshire. It’s then skilfully prepared by master butchers and sold fresh to customers.

In addition to this, the farm shop sells a range of Yorkshire-made beers and gins plus home furnishings in the gift shop. Customers can also take a break in the tearoom, where the team sells hot drinks, freshly made meals and homemade cakes.

Town End Farm Shop

Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Shop hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm; Sunday 10am-5pm

An award-winning, family-run farm shop, Town End Farm Shop offers customers a taste of Yorkshire with their seasonal produce, including traditional breed beef from their own Malhamdale Farm, which is prepared in the butchery. 

The deli counter is stocked full of local cheeses, pies and – perhaps what the shop is best known for – charcuterie and salumi made from the farm’s own rare breed pork. Their Wildman brand of British charcuterie includes salami, speck, bresaola and more. Sharing knowledge is important to the team at Town End Farm Shop, and throughout the year they hold several butchery, salumi and charcuterie curing courses.

The impressive fresh produce selection includes vegetables, milk and bread delivered every day, and there’s also a range of store cupboard staples for shoppers to explore. On Fridays, customers can also buy fresh fish from the Fleetwood Fish Merchant, who visits every week.

For those who want to slow down and enjoy some food on site, the Tea Room offers locally sourced, homemade food for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, with views of Malhamdale and Malham Cove.

Stoneygate Farm Shop

Location: Ravensworth, North Yorkshire
Shop hours: Monday, 9am-4pm; Thursday-Saturday 9am-4pm

Founded in 2013 by Malcolm and Bernadette Tennant, Stoneygate Farm Shop & Cafe has quickly grown from a small, grassroots operation selling meat to family and friends, to a permanent, on-site farm shop offering customers a ‘field to fork’ experience. 

Today, the majority of the meat sold is born, slowly reared and expertly butchered on site at Stoneygate. The butchery team uses every part of the animal to provide everything from sausages and steaks to haggis and black pudding.

The cattle – Beef Shorthorn and British White – graze in the pastures in the summer months, while native breed pigs roam the woodland all year long and native breed sheep graze on pastures throughout the year.

The farm shop itself is filled with food and drink that show the full spectrum of Yorkshire’s flavours, with home-grown and locally sourced products chosen for their high quality and low food miles. The shop is known particularly for its pies, which offer a range of fillings from the farm, as well as quiches and other savoury treats, all baked on-site each morning. The bakery also sells tempting homemade cakes and scones.

In addition to the shop, the Farm Kitchen & Cafe sell dishes that are cooked to order, with the chefs taking their inspiration from the farm and other locally sourced produce sold in the farm shop.

Castle Howard Farm Shop

Location: Castle Howard Estate, York
Shop hours: Every day, 10am-5pm

Situated in the Stable Courtyard of the Castle Howard estate, one of Britain’s finest stately homes (which just so happened to feature in the first series of Bridgerton), the Castle Howard Farm Shop is a brilliant venue for exploring the finest food producers Yorkshire has to offer. 

Sourcing their products from the local area wherever possible, the farm shop stocks fruit and veg, meat and bread, as well as speciality soft drinks, wines and spirits. The delicatessen counter is the place to go for more than 30 hand-picked cheeses as well as pates, olives and antipasti, plus Scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

The butchery team works closely with local farmers and suppliers to provide customers with the finest meat and poultry, with most of the hand-reared produce being sourced from within 40 miles – including Aberdeen Angus Beef and lamb reared right on the estate. A variety of seasonal game, like venison as well as rabbit and duck, is also provided by Castle Howard’s own gamekeeper, and the butchery team are always on hand to share their tips and advice with customers.

As well as having a stately home and gardens to explore, visitors can enjoy more foodie delights at a range of cafes and restaurants, where in-house chefs create menus inspired by fresh, local and seasonal produce.