Dorset is a county you can taste. Rolling green farmland meets a spectacular coastline, and in between sits some of the best food in the country: proper farmhouse cheese, freshly landed seafood, orchards full of cider apples and vegetables pulled from the ground that morning. The very best way to get a flavour of it all is to skip the supermarket and head for a farm shop.
We own and look after holiday homes across Dorset and the New Forest, so we have spent many happy weekends filling the car boot with local goodies. We round up our favourite Dorset farm shops and the local produce worth seeking out, so you can eat like a local on your next trip.
Why Dorset is a foodie’s dream
Dorset has never lost its connection to the land and sea. Small family farms still work the hills, day boats still land crab and mackerel along the coast, and independent makers turn all of it into something delicious. Farm shops are where that story comes together under one roof.
Shopping this way means food with real provenance, often reared, grown or baked within a few miles, at its freshest and its best. You will meet the people who made it, discover things you would never find on a supermarket shelf, and support the local economy while you are at it. For anyone staying in a self-catering home, it turns a simple dinner into part of the holiday.
The best farm shops in Dorset
Here are five farm shops in Dorset we think are well worth a detour, spread across the county so there is likely to be one near wherever you are staying.
Washingpool Farm Shop, near Bridport
Just north of Bridport, Washingpool is a proper working-farm shop, and much of what fills the shelves is grown or reared on site, including their own beef, pork, lamb and vegetables. You will also find homemade ready meals, soups and cakes, and food from more than a hundred local producers. It has picked up a Taste of the West Gold award, and there is a café for when the shopping makes you hungry.
Look for: home-reared meat, seasonal veg and homemade cakes.
Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop, near Wimborne
In the pretty village of Pamphill just outside Wimborne Minster, this family shop has been going for almost 40 years. It brings together a butchery, an ice cream parlour and a café, alongside freshly picked seasonal fruit and veg, artisan bread, newly laid eggs, cheese, and local wines, beers and ciders. It is an easy trip from our Christchurch homes.
Look for: the butchery counter and a scoop from the ice cream parlour.
Rawston Farm Shop and Butchery, near Blandford
In the market town of Blandford Forum, Rawston is a meat lover’s paradise. Beef and venison come from their own farm, joined by locally sourced chicken, turkey, pork, lamb and seasonal game, plus fruit, vegetables, cheese, honey and jams. If you are planning a big family roast in your holiday home, this is the place to stock up.
Look for: the home-reared beef and venison.
Gold Hill Organic Farm, Child Okeford
Near Shaftesbury in the village of Child Okeford, Gold Hill has been growing organic vegetables for more than 25 years and was one of the first growers in the south west certified by the Soil Association. The farm shop is a lovely spot to pick up organic veg, and they run veg boxes too.
Look for: the organic seasonal vegetables at their freshest.
Home Farm, Tarrant Gunville
Tucked into the Tarrant Valley near Blandford, Home Farm is a friendly, welcoming shop offering everything from locally sourced eggs to afternoon teas. Visitors rave about the bacon and the cakes, and there are good vegan options too.
Look for: the bacon, the cakes and a well-earned afternoon tea.
Dorset local produce to look out for
Wherever you shop, keep an eye out for these Dorset specialities. They make wonderful holiday treats and even better gifts to take home:
Dorset Blue Vinny. A traditional blue cheese made from skimmed cow’s milk, tangy and crumbly, and a genuine county classic.
Dorset knob biscuits. Hard, savoury little biscuits from near Bridport, famously good with cheese.
Farmhouse cheddar. Dorset’s dairies turn out some superb mature cheddars.
Fresh seafood. Crab, lobster and mackerel are landed along the coast, so look for the day’s catch near Weymouth, Portland and West Bay.
Cider and apple juice. The county’s orchards produce lovely cloudy juices and proper Dorset cider.
Dorset apple cake. A moist, spiced cake best served warm, and a fixture of local cafés.
Local honey and preserves. Hedgerow jams, chutneys and raw honey from Dorset bees.
Making the most of your farm shop finds
Half the joy of a self-catering holiday is cooking with what you gather. A morning at the farm shop can set you up for the whole stay: a slab of local cheddar and a box of Dorset knobs for a lazy lunch, fresh crab for a simple supper, and home-reared meat for a proper family roast.
Because our homes come with well-equipped kitchens, you can turn the day’s haul into a feast without lifting more than a wooden spoon. Many of the shops have cafés too, so you can enjoy breakfast or a cake on the spot before heading off with your bags full.
Dorset farm shop questions
What are the best farm shops in Dorset?
Our favourites include Washingpool near Bridport, Pamphill Dairy near Wimborne, Rawston near Blandford, Gold Hill Organic Farm at Child Okeford and Home Farm in the Tarrant Valley. Between them they cover home-reared meat, organic veg, dairy and plenty of local treats.
What local produce is Dorset known for?
Dorset is famous for Blue Vinny cheese, Dorset knob biscuits, farmhouse cheddar, freshly landed seafood, cider and apple juice, and the much-loved Dorset apple cake. Local honey, jams and chutneys are easy to find in farm shops too.
Are Dorset farm shops dog-friendly?
Many are, particularly those with outdoor café seating, which suits us well since we welcome dogs at every one of our homes. It is always worth checking with the individual shop before you visit, as policies vary from place to place.
Do Dorset farm shops have cafés?
Several do. Washingpool, Pamphill Dairy and Home Farm all offer somewhere to sit down for a bite, so you can combine your shopping with a relaxed breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.
Taste Dorset for yourself
There is no better way to enjoy Dorset’s food than to cook and eat it in the heart of the county. We own and care for a collection of holiday homes across Dorset, including characterful properties in and around Christchurch, each with a proper kitchen for making the most of your farm shop finds.
Every home welcomes your four-legged friends, and our guests also enjoy curated local discounts on dining for the days you would rather someone else did the cooking. Have a good look around, and if you would like a hand planning a foodie escape to Dorset, we would love to help. Contact us today.
