I like to liven up my drive to Cornwall with interesting stop-offs for refreshments. The route along the A303 and A30 has an abundance of farm shops and cafes that I look forward to exploring…
Here are a few of my favourites that have provided a welcome diversion from the driving.
P.S. All of these venues are wheelchair accessible with wheelchair accessible loos.
Cholderton Farm Shop
Tidworth Road, Cholderton, Wiltshire, SP4 0DR
Website: choldertonfarmshop.co.uk
Detouring just 2 minutes from the A303, I felt like I had stepped into the tea rooms on Brookfield Farm from the Archers.
As I arrived the aroma of freshly prepared bacon sandwiches beckoned me into the café, and I decided there and then to abandon my home-made lunch in favour of the bacon delight. It did not disappoint!
As the café is on a working farm, I felt in the thick of it as I parked alongside the tractors.
There is a small modest café and a large outdoor barn where I sat with my decaf flat white.
They serve reasonably priced, traditional savoury food and homemade cakes. On some days there is a selection of fresh produce, such as fruit and vegetables.
Cholderton, it seems, is a foodie village as there is another restaurant and café not too far away.
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
Amesbury Road, Cholderton, Salisbury Wiltshire, SP4 0EW
Website: choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com
I happened on this gem when I missed the turning off the A303 to Cholderton Farm Shop.
However, both farm cafes are actually not too far from each other. This restaurant is located on a rare breed farm and vineyard. The menu, here, is a little more sophisticated than its counterpart on Tidworth Road.
They serve breakfast, lunch, teas, coffee and sweet treats. As usual, I only had time to order my takeaway flat white.
The Broom and Brush
1 Norwood Park, Castle Street, Mere, Wiltshire. BA12 6FE
Website: visit.brush.com
Another interesting find is the brush factory situated about 4 minutes off the A303. Despite the industrial sounding name, the café is smart and comfortable.
The entrance to the café is through the shop – who knew there are so many different types of brushes! Again, I ordered a decaf flat white and again it was excellent.
For a lunchtime break, I ordered the Flaked Hot Smoked Trout Brioche which was tasty and filling. The takeaway counter offers a tempting selection of savouries and cakes, whilst the bright and modern café provides breakfasts, sandwiches and hot food, served with a modern twist.
It really is worth a slight detour from the road trip. If you have a few minutes to spare, at the end of the café, there is a museum area charting the history of Hillbrush.
Teals Farm Shop
1 Orchard Lane, South Cadbury, Somerset, BA22 7FS
Website: teals.co.uk
I found this great place right on the A303. As my usual ‘go to’ is decaf flat white, I ordered it as a takeaway and it was excellent.
This is a smart well laid out shop with some interesting gifts and foods on display. Also available is a takeaway service, a deli, a butchery, fresh produce and homeware.
The restaurant is arranged so that you can look out over the courtyard and the apple orchard. There is also outdoor seating. So, there is plenty to look at whilst taking a break from the drive.
Jordans Courtyard Café & Terrace
Horton Cross, Ilminster, Somerset. TA19 9PY
Website: jordanscourtyard.co.uk
Just a few minutes off the A303 near Ilminster is the charming Jordans Courtyard. There is a touch of sophistication as you drive into the Yard which is home to a variety of small businesses.
The café is stylish and offers home cooked food prepared from local ingredients, and freshly baked cakes. I was tempted by their mouth-watering Berry and Orange cake, which was delicious, though I opted for a Coke rather than my usual coffee.
In my defence, it was a very hot day and I needed the sugar hit to keep awake on my drive. After the much-needed snack, I amused myself by investigating the homeware shop near the café before starting on the next part of my journey.
Heron Farm
Weston, Honiton, Devon, EX14 3NZ
Website: heron-farm.co.uk
This is by far my current favourite stop for lunch. A bit of a wiggle off the A30 but well worth the effort.
It’s situated near Honiton, set on a working farm and vineyard. The entrance is through a small gift shop where they sell their own wine, so you can pick up a memento of your visit to sip at home.
The cafe is small, modern and unpretentious; in winter a large log burning stove welcomes you. The food is truly special. I have stopped for both coffee and cake, and a hot meal.
My friend had gluten and dairy free fish and chips and I had fish (can’t remember which) with a chorizo and leak sauce, beautifully presented with pea shoots. All I can say was that it was unforgettably delectable.
They had multiple allergy friendly options and the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful. They have now added electric charging points to their car park, so it’s a great place to charge your car whilst enjoying an amazing lunch.
Darts Farm
Topsham, Devon. EX3 OQH
Website: dartsfarm.co.uk
This farm is a bit further, than I normal travel, off my route for a coffee. As I circumvent Exeter on the M5, it is about 5 miles away. Where to start with Darts Farm! It’s huge – more like an out-of-town shopping experience than a farm shop.
There is a vast food hall which features independent, local produce. They have: seasonal vegetables, a cheesemonger, a deli, a butchery and a wine cellar and most importantly chocolate galore.
They even have a department called Cow and Cacao where their chocolatier makes bean to bar chocolate, and they produce their own ice cream. I found it hard to resist the temptation to explore this treasure trove of wonderful food.
On my first visit, I ate in The Restaurant where I ordered a delicious home cooked gammon ham sandwich. On my next trip, I treated myself to an excellent steak in The Farm Table restaurant which prides itself on cooking local produce on an open flame. The meat was superb.
Among the 7 places to eat, there is also: The Shack which offers oven fire pizzas and a takeaway service and The Fish Shed if you fancy fish and chips. I stopped for over an hour which was a little longer than I had planned. So, if you do detour here, leave plenty of time!
Woodleigh Coach House
Cheriton Bishop, Exeter. EX6 6JL Bishop Exeter EX6 6JL
Website: woodleighcoach.com
This great find is just off the A30 near Cheriton Bishop. I came across Woodleigh Coach House almost by accident. It was the start of a really hot day and I needed a loo break. Well, of course, I couldn’t possibly stop without buying a coffee and as the outside terrace looked so inviting, I decided to have an early lunch.
My ham sandwich was very good, reasonably priced and served quickly. I could have sat in the sun all day but the thought of my long journey pulled me back to my car.
Hog & Hedge
Whiddon Down Services (A30) Devon. EX20 2QT
Website: hogandhedge.co.uk
This independent café is set in front of a budget chain hotel at the Whiddon Down Services Devon (A30). It is a stop that always seems to be perfectly placed on my journey when I need a loo break or a coffee.
Service here is fast, but can seem a little confusing, before you realise you don’t have to order through the touch screens, but can actually speak to a staff member. It is not too big and offers freshly prepared savoury food and cakes. I usually take my flat white ‘to go’, as by this time in my journey I am keen to get on.
Strawberry Fields
Lifton, Devon, PL16 0DH
Website: strawberryfieldslifton.co.uk
Strawberry Fields farm shop is just a few minutes off the A30. The shop itself, is large and offers a huge range of fresh and packaged produce. The café and restaurant are also sizeable.
I have stopped here a couple of times but because it is such a popular destination, it has not been a good stop to grab a quick coffee. They often put on special events such as a pumpkin festival, so if you are looking for a longer stop, this could be a great place to investigate.
Tre Pol & Pen Farm Shop
Lezant, Launceston. PL15 9NN
Website: trepolandpen.co.uk
This was another pit stop for a coffee and cake. Situated 4.5 miles off the A30, it’s a very contemporary venue, with a farm shop selling locally sourced produce and a large cafe/restaurant.
There was a good selection of homemade temping cakes including some gluten free options. I opted for a takeaway which I sat in my car to eat whilst enjoying the surrounding countryside.
Rebeccah is a health and lifestyle blogger but she comes at life in her own unique way. More often than not you’ll find her enjoying a cup of tea in the sun or sampling the very best local restaurants. Here’s the twist, gluten and dairy free are top of her list when eating out and about. While her mode of transport is a wheelchair so she’ll give you the lowdown on accessibility as she goes, whether that’s finding the beach or grabbing a Michelin star lunch.