The Milking Parlour
The Quantock Hills
Shopping for supplies, or visiting Towns & Villages
Somerset is well know for it's excellent produce. There are a number of farm shops and artisan producers locally which supply locally produced foods, some of which are listed below.
We also have a small selection of shops in neighbouring Nether Stowey (1.3 miles), where you will find a well stocked convenience store open 7 days from 7am-7pm (5pm Sunday), an excellent family Butcher (Faun & Co.), a post office selling various foods and gifts etc., plus a hairdresser & beautician.
Farm Shops & Local or Artisan Producers
Please check opening times with websites or Google, as not all open daily for full business hours.
Fauns The Butchers - Nether Stowey
Offering a good selection of locally produced meats, fish, cheeses and veg. If you're not a meat eater, try their delicious Somerset Homity Pie! Open from 7am - 5pm, 7am-1pm Saturday & Weds., closed Sunday & Monday.
Plowright Organic Farm, Stowey Rocks Farm - Over Stowey
Forming the neighbouring fields to the north of us here, Plowright Organic Farm mainly supply via veg boxes, but do have a farm shop in one of their barns with a good variety of freshly picked produce, most of which is grown here in Over Stowey. Take cash for the Honesty Shop. Open Thur, Fri, Sat 10am-7pm (sometimes on Sunday). www.plowrightorganic.co.uk
Field Bakery - Gothelney Farm, Nr Spaxton
10 minutes drive from us, Field Bakery is open for amazing fresh sourdough bread, pastries and more, on Saturday morning 10-2pm. Get there early for the best bread, or pre-order for easy pick up. Coffee and fresh pastries available too! www.fieldbakery.com
Blackmore Farm Shop, Cannington
Farm shop with cafe set alongside a beautiful 15th Century Grade 1 listed Manor House. Here you will find a range of local produce, plus a selection of local crafts, cards and gifts on sale. The Cafe is open for breakfasts and through the day for lunches, teas and coffees. www.blackmorefarm.co.uk
Rumwell Farm Shop, Taunton
More of a 'destination' farm shop & restaurant, but selling a great variety of produce, drinks and gifts. www.rumwellfarmshop.com
Sheppy's Cider Farm, Taunton
See also 'Day's Out' as there is a lot to see and do here. The shop sells lots of local product as well as their cider: www.sheppyscider.com
Towns, cities, facilities and other shops :
Over Stowey (includes the hamlets of Adscombe, Alley and Fryern)
No shops in our little hamlet, but we do have a popular and friendly bar that opens in the back room of the Village Hall on a Friday night! This is next door to the Church of St.Peter & St.Paul - a beautiful Anglican Church with many notable features, including Burne-Jones windows, medieval bench ends, a magnificent brass candelabra and a fine set of six bells. The church is open during the day and is often visited. There is also a swimming pool for public use at Quantock Lodge in Alley - check their website for public swimming opening times (www.quantocklodge.co.uk).
Nether Stowey Village
Our larger sister village, Nether Stowey, is about 1.2 miles away and just 3 minutes in the car or about ½ hour walk through the lanes and over the fields (do take care if you walk on the narrow lanes).
In Nether Stowey there is a Premier Convenience Store, open 7 days until 7pm, that is very well stocked. There is also a great local butcher (Fauns Butchers) selling local meat, veg. and local cheeses (closed: Sat pm, Sun, Mon, Wed pm). There is also a post office selling some produce, plus gifts and cards etc. and a hairdresser and beautician.
Also, in Nether Stowey is the National Trust Property Coleridge Cottage and Nether Stowey Castle (see page of ‘things to do locally’). There are also 2 pubs (see under ‘pubs’ page), and a climbing centre and gym - Chalk Up if you fancy a bit of indoor climbing and bouldering www.chalkup.uk
Taunton - the County Town
About a 20 minute drive South through the picturesque road that winds through the valleys of The Quantocks. Taunton offers shopping, theatres, cinemas, a castle and museum, as well as two highly regarded parks. There is an Independent Traders’ Market on 2nd Sunday of the month in the town centre on Castle Green. In the centre of Taunton you will find some interesting architecture and the town’s impressive Tudor Minster, St Mary Magdalene Church, with its unusually tall tower and resident Peregrine Falcons. Vivary Park is a beautiful formal Victorian park which holds various events through the year. You can walk the Heritage Trail which takes you through places of interest and along the river to French Weir Park where you can hire kayaks and paddle boards and sit at The Weir cafe by the river. Also, if you are a cricket fan, of course there is the Taunton County Cricket Ground - home of this treasured Somerset sport.
Bridgwater
Mainly a functional town, but with some surprising hidden little gems in the old Georgian streets such as the Arts Centre in Castle Street. Bridgwater is about a 20 minute drive East from here and has a number of supermarkets including a Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and M&S Food. There’s a Cineworld Cinema complex and there are also many independent and chain takeaway outlets.
Glastonbury
About 45 minute drive, Glastonbury is not just about the festival! Said to be the ‘Quirkiest town in England’, it’s known for its ancient and medieval sites, many rich in myth. Glastonbury Tor is a tower-topped hill linked to Arthurian legend, overlooking the marshy Somerset Levels. Once said to be King Arthur’s burial place, Glastonbury Abbey is a ruined monastery dating to the 7th century. Nearby, centuries-old Glastonbury Tribunal has a museum with Iron Age artefacts.
Bristol
Bristol is about an hours drive and offers a good day out - just check the M5 isn’t congested first! The old docks are a vibrant place to visit. Check the Visit Bristol website for more details.
Exeter
Again, another city worth a visit with historic quayside, the Cathedral, arts and culture. Check the Visit Exeter website for more details.
Bath
Of course the Roman Baths are the star of this beautiful Georgian Town, but there is so much more to see. Check the Visit Bath website for more details.
Wells
Just under an hour’s drive, Wells is a beautiful Cathedral city. There is a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Check the www.wellssomerset.com website for more.
Clarks Village, Street
An outlet shopping village. Built on the site of old Clarks Shoes factory buildings, but selling so much more than shoes!