I love a good farm shop. Some say they're farm shops but then just turn out to be a bit of a box room with a few sad vegetables but in the Dales we have some terrific farm shops. One of my favourites is Town End Farm shop at Airton near Malham, run by the effervescent and ever-enthusiastic Chris Wildman.
You may have seen Town End Farm Shop on TV when it was the venue for the Top of the Shop programme with Tom Kerridge. The drive to the shop through the stunning Malhamdale countryside and mellow lanes builds anticipation, and there's a reassuringly large car park. The entrance to the cafe goes through the farm shop, which initially seems relatively small. However, it's crammed full of really interesting produce. There are vegetables, meat and dairy products from the local area, alongside practically every condiment, cooking sauce, and food treat you can think of.
This is a genuine farm shop: Chris breeds and rear his own grass-fed lamb, traditional breed cattle and rare breed pork on his farm, and sells it in the shop. He's a fifth generation butcher and is justly proud of his Yorkshire chorizo, salami and dry-cured bacon.
The cafe is cosy, welcoming to muddy-booted walkers and locals alike, with a fantastic range of meals and excellent cakes and coffee. Chris is truly passionate about food and makes sure everything is of good quality. Upstairs is a range of gifts and locally made items.
Town End Farm Shop has another claim to fame - Chris claims to have the World's Largest Choice of Yorkshire Gins! And if that's not enough, you can also learn butchery skills and how to make salami with him!
You may have seen Town End Farm Shop on TV when it was the venue for the Top of the Shop programme with Tom Kerridge. The drive to the shop through the stunning Malhamdale countryside and mellow lanes builds anticipation, and there's a reassuringly large car park. The entrance to the cafe goes through the farm shop, which initially seems relatively small. However, it's crammed full of really interesting produce. There are vegetables, meat and dairy products from the local area, alongside practically every condiment, cooking sauce, and food treat you can think of.
This is a genuine farm shop: Chris breeds and rear his own grass-fed lamb, traditional breed cattle and rare breed pork on his farm, and sells it in the shop. He's a fifth generation butcher and is justly proud of his Yorkshire chorizo, salami and dry-cured bacon.
The cafe is cosy, welcoming to muddy-booted walkers and locals alike, with a fantastic range of meals and excellent cakes and coffee. Chris is truly passionate about food and makes sure everything is of good quality. Upstairs is a range of gifts and locally made items.
Town End Farm Shop has another claim to fame - Chris claims to have the World's Largest Choice of Yorkshire Gins! And if that's not enough, you can also learn butchery skills and how to make salami with him!
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