Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, made famous by the Amazon Prime series “Clarkson’s Farm,” has received acclaim as the best farm shop in the UK according to the country lifestyle experts at Welligogs. Located in Chipping Norton, just an hour from Gloucester, it has certainly attracted thousands of visitors since its 2020 opening, thanks in part to its celebrity status and a range of local products including Hawkstone beer and branded merchandise.
However, for those familiar with Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, there is another farm shop that many consider even more exceptional: Jolly Nice, a family-run establishment in the village of Frampton Mansell. Situated conveniently between Stroud, Cirencester and Tetbury, Jolly Nice has grown into a sprawling, vibrant destination that combines shopping with a unique rural atmosphere.
One of its standout features is a charming drive-through, served from a rustic wooden cabin. Far from your typical fast-food experience, this drive-through offers locally roasted coffee and an array of freshly made meals, from breakfast baps and burgers to salads and sandwiches, providing an elevated take on convenience.
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The farm shop itself proudly supports local farmers, growers and artisan producers, boasting beautifully decorated wooden archways and pathways that lead shoppers through various wooden cabins and large tents. Inside, visitors can find a dedicated frozen foods section featuring some of the best ready meals available, a deli offering an impressive selection of organic and artisan cheeses, a butchery stocked with free-range meat, and a range of seasonal organic vegetables. Pantry staples and dry goods fill the shelves alongside treats like generous cookies, tins of crisps, and even a machine where customers can squeeze their own orange juice. The variety and quality make the shop an experience in its own right.
Just beyond the shopping area lies the stylish Jolly Nice café and bar, set beneath large festival-style tents. The interior combines rustic charm with elegant details such as fairy lights, foliage, reclaimed oak church chairs and long vintage tables, all set against wooden floors and walls. In colder months, the café’s open fireplace, fashioned from a 300-year-old local oak beam, offers a cosy retreat.
The café menu complements the inviting surroundings, featuring the venue’s renowned burgers, toasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches and a selection of sweet treats. Visitors can also enjoy locally sourced ice cream, like the banana-and-toffee flavour at the adjacent parlour, with ample outdoor seating under covered areas where the beautiful country views can be savoured regardless of the weather.
Drink offerings include beers from Stroud Brewery and Dunkertons Cider on tap. On Fridays, the café hosts later evenings with “cocktails on the double.” Beyond food and drink, Jolly Nice fosters community with a diverse calendar of monthly events ranging from candle making workshops and folk music sessions to puppy meet-ups in an enclosed area on site.
For those seeking a quintessential Cotswolds farm shop experience that combines hearty local produce, distinctive retail, and a welcoming social atmosphere, Jolly Nice stands out as a top choice, surpassing even celebrity-endorsed competitors in the region.