While Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop has earned acclaim as the UK’s top farm shop, Gloucestershire offers a charming contender that may just outshine the celebrity favourite.
Farm shops are delightful weekend destinations, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee in a countryside café, browsing a range of locally sourced products in independent shops, or joining one of the many events held throughout the year. The Cotswolds, a picturesque region in Gloucestershire, boasts several exceptional farm shops.
Daylesford Organic Farm is often celebrated as one of the UK’s most luxurious and posh farm shops, nestled amid the quintessential Cotswold countryside. Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, located in Chipping Norton just an hour from Gloucester, gained popularity following the Amazon Prime series “Clarkson’s Farm.” Since opening in 2020, it has welcomed thousands of visitors and was even named the UK’s best farm shop by country lifestyle experts at Welligogs.
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Despite the appeal of Diddly Squat, my personal favourite is the family-run Jolly Nice Farm Shop, set in the village of Frampton Mansell. Situated conveniently between Stroud, Cirencester, and Tetbury, it offers an ideal weekend retreat or a pleasant stop en route to the M5. Having lived in Gloucestershire for many years, I have witnessed Jolly Nice grow into the sprawling, vibrant location it is today.
One of its standout features is a delightful drive-through service operated from a wooden cabin-a charming alternative to typical fast food drive-throughs. This unique spot offers locally roasted coffee alongside freshly made meals, ranging from breakfast baps and burgers to salads and sandwiches, providing an elevated, leisurely drive-through experience.
Dedicated to supporting local farmers, growers and artisan producers, Jolly Nice presents a wide array of products. The farm shop itself is beautifully crafted, with decorative archways and wooden pathways leading to various wooden cabins and spacious tents.
Inside, the shop houses a dedicated frozen section with some of the finest ready meals around, a deli offering an extensive selection of organic and artisan cheeses, and a butchery supplying free-range meats and seasonal organic vegetables. Pantry staples and dry goods are thoughtfully stocked, alongside tempting treats such as generously sized cookies, tins of crisps, and even a machine for freshly squeezed orange juice. This variety ensures a complete and satisfying shopping experience.
Beyond the shop, beneath expansive festival-style tents, lies the Jolly Nice café and bar. This elegantly decorated space features fairy lights, foliage, rustic wooden floors and walls, reclaimed oak church chairs, and long vintage tables. In colder months, patrons can enjoy the cosy warmth of an open fireplace built from a 300-year-old local oak beam.
The café’s menu is as inviting as its setting, offering the farm shop’s renowned burgers, toasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches and a selection of sweet treats. I particularly enjoyed a giant Oreo cookie and an iced latte, topped off with a scoop of their banana and toffee ice cream from the parlour just outside the main dining area. Outdoor seating is available, complete with classic country views and covered shelter to ensure comfort regardless of the weather.
Drinks highlights include beers from Stroud Brewery and Dunkertons Cider on tap. On Fridays, the venue hosts later evenings featuring “cocktails on the double,” adding to its appeal as a social hub. Jolly Nice also fosters community through a variety of monthly events, ranging from candle making and folk music to puppy meet-ups in a dedicated enclosed area at this stylish rural location.
Ultimately, Jolly Nice Farm Shop offers an experience that goes beyond the typical, delivering exceptional local produce, welcoming spaces and a true taste of the Cotswold countryside lifestyle.