The Leckford Farm Shop is located in the Longstock Park , part of The Waitrose & Partners 4,000 acre farm on the Leckford Estate. A very popular venue but can be a little hard to find for the first-time visitors. It’s on the Longstock Park Road connecting the Romsey Road at Cottonworth with the Longstock Road. The 165 square metres shop sells a balanced combination of Leckford Estate, Waitrose and premium locally sourced products sourced within 30 miles of the Estate.
The tree lined drive is the floral calendar from early spring through summer, snow drops replaced by blue bells then meadows of the widest selection of daffodils in every shade of yellow. The journey from the road to the Farm Shop and Nursery sets the mood for the visit. Generous parking is available with many blue badge spaces closest to the building.
The tree lined drive is the floral calendar from early spring through summer, snow drops replaced by blue bells then meadows of the widest selection of daffodils in every shade of yellow. The journey from the road to the Farm Shop and Nursery sets the mood for the visit. Generous parking is available with many blue badge spaces closest to the building.
From the car park the end of the farm shop could easily be mistaken for a barn conversion. The 165 square meters barn style farmhouse with post and beam frames with a green oak frame entrance. A significant step up from the former refreshment area housed within an existing greenhouse which was far from welcoming and often unmanned, while being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
The impressive farm shop was built by Oakwrights – specialists in bespoke oak frame buildings (www.oakwrights.co.uk) from February to August 2013, opened to the public 11 August 2013. The interior is 100% oak with the feel of stepping into a comfortable farmhouse kitchen, not just another place to eat.
There is outdoor seating either side of the footpath, perfect when the weather is fine, rain can put demand on a table, but the wait is worth the experience that awaits. The length of the queue is the barometer of their popularity.
As a regular visitor I am greeted with a smile of recognition, the partners remember me (in particular Christine and Helen) for the coffees I order and with polite social interaction. Mark’s eagle eye is quick to located the next available table. When James comes out from the kitchen to serve cooked food, he greets with a smile, ask who is eating which dishes and places them neatly onto the table. How I am treated as a customer makes the experience and is core to my loyalty.
Waitrose is the only UK supermarket to have its own farm to deliver what it grows fresh to it’s customers. Named appropriately The Waitrose & Partners Farm, it is a working farm producing arable crops such as high quality wheat used to make a range of Leckford-branded flour and rapeseeds oil. As well as milk, apples, pears apple juice and cider together with Leckford free range chicken also sold in Waitrose branches. A large percentage of what’s grown out on their farm is served in the Café. What has been tasted can also be bought to take home from the farm shop.
All the cakes displayed on the café counter are baked inhouse by Partner Katrina working with ingredients grown on the farm. She is the one partner who has been working there since opening. The exceptional quality pastries – Pain au Raison, Cinnamon Buns and Almond Croissants are baked The Street Bakeshop in Basingstoke (www.thestreetbakeshop.co.uk) . Scrumptiously delicious, their almond croissants are the best I have tasted, and I have tried many others. Their freshly baked bread is supplied Hoxton Bakehouse (www.hoxtonbakehouse.com), Hampshire’s artisan bakery with perfect Sourdough.
All the cakes displayed on the café counter are baked inhouse by Partner Katrina working with ingredients grown on the farm. She is the one partner who has been working there since opening. The exceptional quality pastries – Pain au Raison, Cinnamon Buns and Almond Croissants are baked The Street Bakeshop in Basingstoke (www.thestreetbakeshop.co.uk) . Scrumptiously delicious, their almond croissants are the best I have tasted, and I have tried many others. Their freshly baked bread is supplied Hoxton Bakehouse (www.hoxtonbakehouse.com), Hampshire’s artisan bakery with perfect Sourdough.
Their coffee roaster is Moon Roast (www.moonroast.co.uk) based in Chilton Candover are a local roastery extract a perfect brew. Having a good relationship with a local supplier is essential to deliver consistent quality to their customers. Whenever there is an issue with what goes into the cup, they come out and resolve the challenge.
The Cafe aims to serve what the customer wants with vegan alternatives. Breakfast is served from 9am to 12 noon. Then lunch of sandwiches made to order, baked potatoes and the ever in demand Red Fox Cheese Souffle who have been supplying the cafe since opening. Yarty B Black Garlic vinegar, the English take on an upgrade Balsamic vinegar is the perfect dressing for with rocket salad. The black garlic vinegar and Leckford Rapeseed Oil are the two most popular selling items in the shop.
On Friday 11th August 2023 Leckford Park Farm Shop and Café are celebrating its 10th Anniversary. They are offering 10% of a range of items. The first 10 customers will get a free breakfast. Throughout the day there will be 10 Leckford produce giveaways with food and drink tastings.
The Waitrose & Partners Farm
Leckford Farm Shop
Stockbridge
SO20 6EH
T 01264-810270
http://www.leckfordestate.co.uk
A discovery journey with Laurence Civil of his best tasting experiences 
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