Depden Farm Shop
We were driving back to Bury on the A143 and were in need of a little tea break when I spotted the sign for Depden Farm Shop and Training, not long before Chedburgh and Horringer on the south-west side of Bury St Edmunds. It is a place I had spotted online, but had never managed to check out in person, and I'm so glad I did!
Having recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, the café has been beautifully designed and sits nestled under wooden beams looking out onto the patio outdoor seating area, surrounded by the vegetable gardens and orchard. There is a well-stocked shop selling home-grown and locally sourced products. They have a good range of specialist teas, coffee, and locally produced soft drinks, as well as home made food, including soups, quiches, daily specials, and of course, cakes.
We had a little wander outside before having our tea and were delighted to find chickens running free in the vegetable garden and orchard. As we followed them, we came across a wonderful collection of all sorts of breeds of chicken, in a lovely open space. In the next field, there were some extremely friendly pigs who were keen to say hello, and then a large group of ducks, geese and turkeys. We could also see sheep in another field, but they didn't come over to see us. All the animals were very friendly and seemed really happy and well cared for. Having spoken to the owner, I have great hopes that this beautiful, unspoilt farm will become a bit more child friendly, with sturdier fences, but one of the things I liked best was how uncommercialised it felt.
It is still early days for this delightful little farm shop and café, so they are still working on various features, like adding changing facilities. I was really pleased that the owner was open to all sorts of suggestions to make this a truly wonderful experience for children, although we enjoyed ourselves anyway! I shall add more as it evolves, but I expect we shall become regular visitors! Maybe they can teach me how to have my own smallholding one day...
To experience Depden Farm Shop for yourself, and for up to date opening times and events, check out their website here. They are open Wednesdays to Saturdays 9.30 - 5pm and Sundays 10.00 - 4pm.
Depden Farm Shop and Training
Rookery Farm
Depden
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP29 4BU
Having recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, the café has been beautifully designed and sits nestled under wooden beams looking out onto the patio outdoor seating area, surrounded by the vegetable gardens and orchard. There is a well-stocked shop selling home-grown and locally sourced products. They have a good range of specialist teas, coffee, and locally produced soft drinks, as well as home made food, including soups, quiches, daily specials, and of course, cakes.
We had a little wander outside before having our tea and were delighted to find chickens running free in the vegetable garden and orchard. As we followed them, we came across a wonderful collection of all sorts of breeds of chicken, in a lovely open space. In the next field, there were some extremely friendly pigs who were keen to say hello, and then a large group of ducks, geese and turkeys. We could also see sheep in another field, but they didn't come over to see us. All the animals were very friendly and seemed really happy and well cared for. Having spoken to the owner, I have great hopes that this beautiful, unspoilt farm will become a bit more child friendly, with sturdier fences, but one of the things I liked best was how uncommercialised it felt.
It is still early days for this delightful little farm shop and café, so they are still working on various features, like adding changing facilities. I was really pleased that the owner was open to all sorts of suggestions to make this a truly wonderful experience for children, although we enjoyed ourselves anyway! I shall add more as it evolves, but I expect we shall become regular visitors! Maybe they can teach me how to have my own smallholding one day...
To experience Depden Farm Shop for yourself, and for up to date opening times and events, check out their website here. They are open Wednesdays to Saturdays 9.30 - 5pm and Sundays 10.00 - 4pm.
Depden Farm Shop and Training
Rookery Farm
Depden
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP29 4BU