The UK's Smallest Farm Shop
Little Lodge, Wicklesham Farm, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

If you're tired of big and brassy Whole Food Emporiums and fatigued by classy, franchised delis selling the same old ‘flavour of the month' products, here is something truly unique. Here is a one off.  Here small is wonderful.  This tiny purveyor creates treats so delicious, so original, you couldn't have done them better yourself.  That's if you had been willing to get out those old fashioned recipe books and spend the whole afternoon cooking.  At last you'll find a place to buy what you actually WANT and couldn't make for yourself, because it wouldn't turn out this perfect.  The Little Lodge Farm Shop is my idea of heaven. 



The brownies are so dark that even in Italy you wouldn't find better chocolate.  The ginger cake is worth duelling over.  And the heart shaped sponge bursting with whipped, fresh farm cream and home-grown strawberries are a work of art.  Bravissimo!  I just feel lucky to live close enough to be able to enjoy this cornucopia, this Little Lodge on the Downs.

This morning I sent my husband to Little Lodge to collect my order because I thought he would be equally delighted what he found.  When he arrived home carrying a large white box tied with red polka ribbon, he grinned, "You won't believe what's in here!"  I took one look and knew I would never try making my own cake again.  There was the sweet of my dreams - a heart shaped sponge to die for.  I heard a choir of angels.  I wished it was someone's birthday so I could serve up this mouth-watering surprise.

Tom and Cheryl Allen-Stevens are the new breed of entrepreneurial ‘gentlemen' farmers (sorry, Cheryl), who are creating exciting new ways to make their farms a success in a difficult economy.  Since taking over from his father, who took over from his father, Tom has converted his barns into offices, hosted events, and even succeeded in hiring the estate out as a film set.  Now they've opened the UK's Smallest Farm Shop which celebrates the rural charm of Wicklesham Lodge, a rambling house at the top of a windswept hill, overlooking glorious Oxfordshire countryside.

Cheryl is a master cook and baker.  She believes in everything fresh on the day. The Little Lodge's official opening was July 31, '09, and Cheryl was still tossing mange tout from her garden into a bowl of spicy noodles when I walked into the shop.  I took home cold noodle salad in a cardboard box like Chinese take aways in the 60's. The white chocolate chip and pecan cookies were as good as the ones that made EAT on Madison Avenue in NYC famous in the 80's. 

I would put Cheryl's cookies up against any chocolate chip anywhere.  I left with tubs of raspberry, strawberry and blackberry ice cream all made by Cheryl from her own fruit.  Her jars of Little Lodge jam look fruitier and have more flavour than my favourites at the local WI.    The shop is like a tiny general store on Main Street, America, circa 1950, with a prettier and more charming Martha Stewart at the till.  This is ‘retro' with a twist...it's even more delicious than the treats we remember from our childhood.

I was amused by the little wooden shed/shop painted Shaker duck's egg blue. The tables outside were covered with pink 'strawberries and cream' cloths under a white canvas top.  You are invited to sit down and have a cup of great smelling coffee and chat and enjoy the spectacular views that run down and then up again toward the White Horse Hill. 

The stunning scenery and the goodies on offer really tempt you to stay and try everything.  I left with brown paper bags filled with vegetables picked only hours earlier as well as bags of bakery goods which could have won first prize at a county fair.  The relaxed atmosphere which urges you to stay, rather than hurrying you along, makes a novel change from marketing techniques today.  There's no question you feel happy and you want to stay and try all of Cheryl's spoiling delicacies.

This could easily be the most pleasant idea in years...and the most highly sought after farm shop!  The best things may come in small packages after all.

As I said, "Little Lodge Farm Shop is my idea of heaven!"

— Mrs M

Tel: 01367 243562
Mob: 07771 883741
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www.wickleshamlodge.com