The UK’s best farm shop has been officially recognised, and it is located just outside a small market town in the Cotswolds.
Farm shops have become increasingly popular weekend destinations, offering visitors a chance to enjoy locally produced food, countryside cafés, and unique independent shopping. Across the UK there are more than 1,500 farm shops ranging from simple box sheds and tents to extensive food halls covering several acres. Many of these venues also host events alongside their artisan and homegrown offerings.
This growing trend has made farm shops a defining feature of the British countryside, attracting both locals and tourists alike, especially in regions such as the Cotswolds. Among these, one particular farm shop has gained notable fame since opening in 2020, thanks in part to its association with Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. This venue has now been named the best farm shop in the UK.
Diddly Squat Farm Shop, situated in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, has topped a recent national ranking. Experts specialising in country lifestyles at Welligogs analysed customer reviews and rankings drawn from TripAdvisor, Google, and Instagram, concluding that Clarkson’s farm shop leads the list of top-rated farm shops nationwide.
Chipping Norton, a town affectionately called the ‘Chippy’, has about 6,000 residents and offers attractions such as its local theatre, Fairytale Farm, and an outdoor swimming pool known as the ‘Chippy lido’. Nevertheless, Diddly Squat Farm Shop has become a major draw, attracting considerable visitor numbers. Tess Annan, manager at Welligogs, noted: “It’s no surprise to see Diddly Squat at the top of the ranking. Its vast social media presence sets it apart from most UK farm shops, with 2.8 million Instagram followers alone.”
The farm shop boasts an extensive product range including fresh produce, canned goods, jarred sauces, sweet treats, crisps, beers, wines, gin, kitchenware, gifts, and clothing. With Jeremy Clarkson as the face of the brand and ongoing expansion of the business, demand for Diddly Squat shows no signs of fading.
According to Tess Annan, farm shops play an important role in the British countryside experience by offering visitors a deeper connection with the locale beyond traditional tourist sites. “Whether grabbing locally sourced food, enjoying a meal, or simply browsing the farm’s offerings, visiting a farm shop is a charming way to slow down and enjoy the unique character of the surrounding countryside,” she said.
She added that countryside days out need not be confined to visits to famous stately homes, picturesque villages, or the well-known national parks. Farm shops provide an alternative way to explore rural Britain. Many of the highest-ranked farm shops are found in destinations that might not otherwise come to mind when planning a countryside retreat, making them attractive options for those eager to discover new places.
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