A visit to Dorset guarantees a few things; stunning countryside, dramatic coastline, and a smorgasbord of delights to eat, from Michelin star restaurants to pubs with sprawling sea views.
If you’re a bit of a foodie and want to shop locally and seasonally, you really need to head to one of the many farm shops to be found by the sea, tucked away in the rolling hills, and nestled in the market towns.
Step into any of these treasure troves and you’ll find a delectable display of the best quality produce that Dorset has to offer, including local meats, fresh veggies, juicy hand-picked fruits, freshly-baked bread and cakes, creamy cheeses and cupboards brim-full of jams, chutneys, and preserves. We could go on and on!
To get you started on your culinary quest around this beautiful county, here’s a selection of some of the best to be found in the area.
The Salt Pig, Wareham
6 North Street, Wareham BH20 4AF
Set within the pretty market town of Wareham, this ‘urban’ farm shop/deli and restaurant has enjoyed a roaring success and is a must-visit when in town. Priding itself on its meat coming only from Purbeck within a seven-mile radius, as well as it’s own Mangalista and Berkshire rare breed pork, you can expect the highest-quality meats when you visit The Salt Pig.
Fish, lobster, and crab are brought in from the local fishermen’s day boats, while homemade cakes, ready meals, and local wines, ales, ciders and spirits are ideal for cosy evenings in. If you want to eat, there’s a great restaurant here for lunch (no bookings taken except for Sunday lunch). So, if you’ve been exploring this lovely town (don’t forget to walk its stunning old town walls), make sure to pop in. You’ll also find other Salt Pigs around Dorset including The Salt Pig Too in the coastal town of Swanage.
The Udder Farm Shop, nr Gillingham
Manor Farm, Front Street, East Stour, Gillingham SP8 5LQ
This award-winning farm shop lies on the edge of the Blackmore Vale near Gillingham and has been running since 2005. Owned by Jane and Brian, whose family have farmed in the village for four generations, The Udder Farm Shop sells their own lamb and beef as well as quality local meat from the surrounding area in their butchery, while the deli counter is full to the brim with home-cooked meats, pies, quiches, pork pie, scotch eggs and many more tasty delights.
There are baked goods too, as well as cupboard essentials, frozen ready meals, and a fantastic selection of local Dorset and English wines, beers, ciders and spirits. While visiting, pop into their coffee shop where, on Friday nights, they host ‘Udder Food Nights’ in their restaurant. Close to the lovely Duncliffe Woods, it’s the perfect place to stop off and replenish hungry tums after a good stomp amongst the trees.
Rawston Farm Butchery & Farm Shop, Blandford Forum
Tarrant Rawston, Blandford Forum DT11 8SF
Spanning five generations and specialising in grass-reared cattle such as Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, and Rawstar milking cows who spend their lives grazing the plentiful grass of the Tarrant Valley, Rawston Farm is very much a family affair. If you’re visiting the market town of Blandford Forum, pop into their fantastic farm shop where, unsurprisingly, beef is very much on the menu.
They also supply venison from their own farm, as well as locally sourced chicken, turkey, pork, lamb and seasonal game. In addition, there’s a great selection of fruit and seasonal vegetables, tasty local produce such as cheese, honey and jams, and ready meals if you want a night off from cooking.
Washingpool Farm Shop & Café, Bridport
Dottery Road, North Allington, Bridport DT6 5HP
This ‘Taste of the West’ gold-winning farm shop is the place to go to stock up on all the necessities for your holiday. Located near Bridport, Washingpool Farm Shop is open 8am to 5pm every day except Sunday so it’s easy to pop in at the beginning of the day for those picnic treats or on the way home for a simple supper.
They stock their own pork, beef, and lamb reared on the farm, as well as vegetables and flowers grown on-site. They even supply their own Washingpool ready meals – perfect for those who prefer not to cook. In addition, there are baked goods, cheeses, chocolate, cereals and other goodies to choose from, all sourced from over one hundred local suppliers. If you need a quick pick-me-up, the licensed café serves breakfast, lunches, coffee and afternoon tea.
Norden Farm Shop, Wareham
Norden, Wareham BH20 5DS
Open every day, 8am to 7pm, Norden Farm Shop near Corfe Castle is a handy stop off on your travels to pick up fantastic local produce, whether for a picnic or to take back to your holiday cottage. Starting life some 40 years ago as a shed selling eggs, today it’s a brilliantly stocked farm shop that sells a huge range of locally produced foodstuffs, from preserves and chutneys to baked goods and meats.
There’s also a handy milk dispenser that’s great for the environmentally-conscious (just remember to bring your own bottle). If you’ve got green fingers, make sure to check out Norden’s garden centre or you can stock up on logs, kindling, and firelighters if you have a wood burner in your cottage. While visiting, make sure to stop by the historic castle and enjoy a lovely stroll around The Blue Pool nature reserve, which is set in the nearby Furzebrook Estate and is sure to soothe the soul (as will the excellent tea room).
Gold Hill Organic Farm Shop, Blandford Forum
Ridgeway Lane, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum DT11 8HB
Carefully growing over 80 varieties of fruit and vegetables throughout the year, Gold Hill Farm, near Blandford Forum, was one of the very first farms in the South West to gain organic status from the Soil Association and has been lovingly run by Andrew and Sarah Cross since 1987.
Today, there’s a fantastic farm shop stock-full of their super fresh veg picked straight from the soil every morning. They also sell a wide range of local, organic produce from meat and dairy to award-winning cheeses (made on-site) as well as cupboard favourites and local crafts. You’re not far from gorgeous Hambledon Hill, a stunning Iron Age fort with fabulous views, so why not put together a picnic? Please note that the farm shop is open Thursday through Saturday only.
Meat@Robins Farm Shop, Abbotsbury
4 Market Street, Abbotsbury DT3 4JR
Tucked away in the picture-perfect village of Abbotsbury, this little farm shop ensures it sells only the highest quality, British products. Alongside an array of oh-so-picnicable delights, you'll find a mouthwatering selection of South African dishes made with local ingredients by the lovely Zimbabwean owners - the perfect fuel for a day of exploring Dorset's coast!
This little shop doesn’t have an online presence, but pop in when exploring this pretty village filled with Grade II listed cottages, independent shops, galleries, tea rooms and a subtropical garden. If you walk up the hill behind the village, you’ll get excellent views from St Catherine’s Chapel (a 20-minute stroll) where you can enjoy views over the ocean and even see Portland Lighthouse on a clear day.
Feed The Soul, Dorchester
Longmeadow, Godmanstone DT2 7AE
Feed The Soul is an organic café and farm shop close to Cerne Abbas. A step away from the average farm shop, here you’ll find field-to-fork veggies, loose leaf teas, homemade peanut butter, raw granola, sauerkraut, freshly blended smoothies and kombuchas to name but a few of their delights, as well as ‘Feed the Soul’ raw cakes that are too good to resist!
In addition, there’s a micro-bakery, a roastery for coffee, and an amazing café where you can enjoy Buddha bowls crammed with seasonal salads, warming soups with homemade sourdough or flatbread, and wholesome hotpots for lunch. In the evenings they run supper clubs and casual pizza evenings, as well as interesting workshops (check out their social media pages for events). A great day out when combined with a walk around Cerne Abbas’ legendary chalk giant.
Craig’s Farm Shop, Weymouth
East Farm, Osmington, Weymouth DT3 6EX
Operating for over 35 years, Craig’s Farm Dairy near Weymouth prides itself on getting its milk from udder to bottle in less than 24 hours, and has been delivering to the area since 1983. With that credibility, it’s worth paying a visit to their farm shop, where you can buy their dairy produce, from milk and cream to yoghurt and ice cream, as well as other local foodstuff such as jams and chutneys and fresh fruit and vegetables.
While visiting, indulge in lunch or afternoon tea in their tea rooms, while little ones might like a scoop or two of homemade ice cream while gazing at the cows outside. If you have a dog in tow, there’s a great outside space for warmer weather and a lovely dog-friendly beach at nearby Ringstead Bay.
Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop, Wimborne Minster
546 Abbott Street, Pamphill, Wimborne Minster BH21 4ED
Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop lies in the village of Pamphill just outside Wimborne Minster, and has been running for almost 40 years. Boasting a butchery, ice cream parlour, and a café, it’s well worth paying a visit to pick up some tasty treats for your holiday in Dorset. In the farm shop, you’ll find oodles of local produce, including freshly-picked seasonal fruit and veg, artisan bread, newly laid eggs, scones, cakes, cheese, wines, spirits, beers and ciders as well as all the essentials for your store cupboard.
The butchery stocks their own meat and from the surrounding area, while their much-celebrated ice cream is available by the scoop or tub. Try flavours such as lemon and passion fruit ripple, caramelised banana, biscotti, and wild cherry and peach – delicious! This farm shop is just a few miles from the iconic 17th-century mansion Kingston Lacy, so makes for a perfect day out.
Feeling inspired to book your foodie break? Take a look at our beautiful holiday cottages in Dorset and start planning your getaway today.
