Devon grass makes our local milk extra creamy and the products at Mount Boon Milk Company are no exception. The husband and wife farming team at Mount Boon believe that happy cows are the most productive. They graze lush pasture on the edge of Dartmoor in summer and reside in a purpose-built shed in winter. You can find them ¼ mile beyond Longdown near Exeter on the B3212, where they’re open for milk and other produce 24/7 from special vending machines and milkshakes between 9am and 8pm seven days a week. Mount Boon Milk Co | Facebook Check their Facebook page before you travel, as they’re so popular, they occasionally run out!
“Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in!” Sidmouth Trawlers, based on the Ham in Sidmouth and run by Stan Bagwell and family, have fresh fish for sale. This is a traditional, local, family-run business. They really know their stuff. Filleting and preparation, as well as friendly advice and recommendations for cooking, are all part of the service. Their fish baps are particularly yummy, or take a fresh crab sandwich to eat on the seafront. Sidmouth Trawlers, fresh fish for sale
If you’ve never tried a pint of Otter Amber, then you’ve been missing out. They’ve been making beer for five generations at Otter Brewery. The Otter Brewery is based between Honiton and Taunton and the water used for brewing is drawn directly from the head springs of the River Otter. You’ll find one or more of their beers on tap at most local pubs and bottles in stores, or you can buy online. They sell a range of bitters and ales and have more recently added Tarka lagers and Wildsider Cider to their range. Try Otter Bright for a taste of summer.
The Otter Valley Ice Cream and Field kitchen, just outside Honiton, is a fab place to visit. They pride themselves in making small-batch gelato style ice cream and, as well as the traditional flavours, often cater to more experimental tastes such as rice pudding and jam or seabuckthorn! Their field kitchen also serves superb breakfasts using local ingredients and sourdough pizzas at lunch. There’s plenty of outdoor seating where you can say hello to the dairy cows that graze by the fence. Otter Valley Dairy | Ice Cream & Field Kitchen
Blackbury Honey Farm has a decent claim to being the best honey producer in East Devon. Their 120 hives are situation on a range of farms across East Devon, where the bees work the fields and hedgerows to produce a floral honey. You can visit them in Colyton, where you can stroll through the peaceful, wildflower gardens before choosing some delicious honey, preserves, or beautifully-scented beeswax products in the shop. Blackbury Honey Farm – Colyton – Home (blackburyfarm.co.uk)
We’re incredibly lucky to have a traditional, award-winning butcher near us. Based on the High Street in Cullompton, Veysey’s Butchers work with local farmers to ensure a robust “farm-gate to plate” trail of provenance. They’ve been selling meat for over 130 years, so they have plenty of experience to offer when you visit them to buy something delicious to pop on the barbecue this summer. Veyseys Butchers | Award Winning Butchers | Locally Sourced Devon Meat
At Sheppy’s House of Cider near Taunton, they draw on 200 years and six generations of experience to turn home-grown apples in a range of the finest craft ciders. Their ciders are available to taste from their tasting counter, where shop staff can help you find the perfect cider for your tastes. Or you can sample their ‘cider flight’ board of 4 different ciders in their Apple Bay Bar. Tricky Cider is also based just over the border in Somerset. They like to welcome people up to the farm for pre-booked cider tasting, talks and short tours. Matt Gillet sources his fruit from the many old and varied orchards in the local area. We recommend the Elderflower cider, which has just the right hint of summer.
For even more to tickle your tastebuds, take a look at our blogs on Marvellous Markets, Fish and Chips or Making Your Stay a Gourmet Getaway.
If you find something particularly delicious from a local producer, do let us know so that we can consider stocking it in our shop. Currently, we stock Otter beers, Tricky Cider, local honey from Sidmouth, fresh rolls and shortbread from a bakery in Sidmouth and Norcott’s Cider (Honiton) as well as a range of all your holiday essentials.
As always, we recommend checking in advance that a location is going to be open before you visit, to avoid being disappointed.