Somerset Producer Excellence www.visitsomerset.co.uk www.visit-exmoor.co.uk Welcome to Somerset Somerset is an ancient county in the south west of world’s oldest surviving makers of it should England, just two hours from London yet a huge be based here. To go with it, we make the natural expanse of historic countryside, coast, perfect accompaniment, cider. These are not gardens and architecture. the only treats to sample on a foodie tour of Bristol the County which could take in oysters from Somerset combines wild natural habitats, Exmoor, strawberries from Cheddar, Trout M25 London beautiful landscapes and superb traditional Bath M4 from the Quantocks and of course a Somerset farmland alongside the cities of Bath and M5 M3 Cream Tea. Taunton Wells. This farmland comprises some of the Yeovil A303 best grass and fruit growing conditions in the Somerset’s rich soil and gentle climate are world, the result being a thriving, respected ideal for cider-making. We drink more cider and famous dairy produce sector and A30 in the UK than anywhere else in the world renowned fruit and cider. and it is good to see the orchards returning to Somerset after many disappeared Say ‘Somerset’ and most people think of during a dip in the drink’s popularity a few Cheddar cheese so it is fitting that the decades ago. 2 Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor 3 The first recorded mention of cider presses as a Going together like strawberries and cream are winning restaurants tucked away in the hills source of income here is in 1230 in a Royal Charter cider and Cheddar. Where better to sample it using local produce from within a few miles; granted to the Bishop of Bath even though we know than in its birthplace? The Cheddar Gorge Cheese ice-cream makers happy to show you how the Romans grew apples in Britain. Today we have Company is the only producer of Cheddar left it’s done and Farm Shops overflowing with a refreshing mix of farms that have been making in the village. Its cheese, maturing in Gough’s fresh meat and vegetables. If you don’t find cider for generations and new young businesses; Cave, is a memorable sight. Having mentioned your way out of town to these, some of them large concerns selling internationally and tiny strawberries, we should say that at one time will come to you in the form of the Farmers’ orchards using community presses. Cheddar Valley strawberries were famous and Markets held regularly across the County. A even had their own train on The Strawberry Line. It growing trend is the Food and Drink Festival, There is something special about sampling is still possible to find them locally and well worth a feature event in the calendar of many of our a product where it is made. Myrtle Farm, the effort. Recently added to Somerset menus are towns and villages. at the foot of the Mendips, is where the Porlock Bay oysters, Exmoor Caviar, Wicked Wolf Thatcher family has been making cider for and Northmoor Gins and farmed trout. Every year the farming and food community more than 100 years and is a perfect day out. come together at agricultural shows such as Torre Cider at Washford has a tea room and The joy of exploring rural Somerset and the Royal Bath and West Show to celebrate the orchard walks. Exmoor is that you will come across award county’s outstanding quality. 4 Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor 5 The Bay Tree The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company With such wonderful food produced in Somerset, Within days of the launch Fortnum & Mason and The only cheddar made in Cheddar. John and Cheddar. Visitors come from all over the world it’s hardly surprising there’s a demand for Harvey Nichols were keen to place orders and the Katherine Spencer have been making traditional to watch them make, cut and pack this world- quality accompaniments. It’s fine producing kitchen was quickly outgrown, thus facilitating cheddar cheese in Cheddar, the birthplace of this famous cheese. world beating cheeses, but a cheeseboard only its first manufacturing unit. Emma continues to world-famous cheese since 2003. comes to life when partnered with chutneys, explore new flavour profiles, and The Bay Tree For John and Katherine, heritage, craft, taste relishes and pickles of equal calibre. The Bay now has over 150 mouth-watering products. Made raw milk from one local farm. Some of and passion drive their belief in the taste and Tree has won numerous awards for its cheese their cheese is matured within Gough’s Cave in goodness of real food. Their mission is to preserve accompaniments, including Overall Cheese Cheddar. Their cave Matured Cheddar in unique. this traditional cheddar – which is very Accompaniment Champion at The International different in character Cheese and Dairy Awards. Made in Cheddar Gorge; the heart of Somerset. to the mass produced Today, this family-owned, multi-award-winning ‘supermarket’ cheddar. Having grown up making preserves with her independent cheesemaker has earned accolades mother, founder, Emma Macdonald, was always from around the globe. obsession with food. This passion for discovering exciting and innovative flavours saw her travel the The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is the only world as a chef before launching The Bay Tree. producer of cheddar cheese left in the village of www.thebaytree.co.uk +44 (0) 1963 828020 [email protected] www.cheddaronline.co.uk 01934 742810 07977 546917 36 East Way, Lee Mill Industrial Estate, Plymouth PL21 9GE The Cliffs, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3QA 6 Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor 7 Godminster Sharpham Park Godminster produces award-winning organic taste of our Godminster cheddar. We hope you Created by Mulberry Founder Roger Saul, British cheddar in the heart of Somerset. The enjoy it as much as we do! Sharpham Park is the ‘Champion of British Spelt’ Organic business was born of a passion for organic and for the last 12 years we’ve been growing Traceability/Provenance farming and wildlife conservation. Ever since • Delicious foodie gifts, available online or in our spelt organically on our 300 acre farm near Sustainability Richard Hollingbery bought Godminster Bruton shop Glastonbury. Today we are the largest producer of Environmental awareness Farm in 1993, he and his team have been • Distinctive burgundy wax organic spelt in the UK, supplying everyone from pursuing an environmentally friendly and • All Godminster products are suitable for independent farm shops to leading supermarkets, ethical approach to farming. Their approach vegetarians bakeries and restaurants. incorporates the organic principles to the land • Free delivery nationwide at www.godminster.com and the livestock. • Internationally We’re a mixed economy organic farm producing renowned brand not only spelt but also walnuts, venison and The cows at Godminster Farm enjoy a simple, • Godminster Vintage Organic apple juice. Our spelt products include a range wholesome life and as a result produce Cheddar voted ‘The Nations of cereals, flours and grains and we are shortly deliciously creamy milk. The freshness of the Favourite Organic Product’ at launching an organic spelt pasta. We are milk and the sustainable approach to farming the Soil Associations BOOM accredited by the Vegetarian Society as Vegan. is a major contributor to the lovely distinctive awards 2019 www.godminster.com 01749 813733 XXXXXX xxxxxxxx Station Road, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0EH 8 Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor Visit Somerset | Visit Exmoor 9 Sheppy’s Cider Somerset Lavender Sheppy’s Cider has been crafting premium The Ciders: Delicious lavender grown on the farm made on the Some of the products available in the shop cider in the heart of Somerset using homegrown • Produced only from the apple juice pressed on farm, from Marmalade to shortbread and more. • Lavender sugar apples for six generations. It is one of the oldest the farm • Tine of culinary lavender cidermaking families in the world with a proud • Vintage Cider is matured in traditional 100 year- Somerset Lavender is a family farm based in • White tea with lavender history that goes back more than 200 years. old oak vats Faulkland near Bath and Frome. You can visit the • Ceylon Tea with lavender • No artificial sweeteners, colourings or farm in the summer months and wander through • Sea Salt with Lavender Under the watchful eye of David Sheppy flavourings the lavender fields. All the lavender is grown on • Sweet Orange, Lemon & Lavender Marmalade their sixth generation Master of Cider, they • Premium quality speciality ciders including single the farm and dried naturally in the sun. In the continue to champion the same traditional varieties (SV) and organic café you can try the signature cake Lavender Farm Shop, Café, Plant Nursey’ Lavender Fields, methods, using rare crafting skills to produce • Suitable for vegan, Gluten Free and vegetarians & Almond or a traditional cream tea with a Flower Garden, Veg Garden. Open Summer May the Sheppy’s range of award-winning and • Uniquely blending traditional skills with modern lavender scone. How about lunch? try our goats to End September . Winter Mid world-class premium craft ciders. Our 90-acre technology cheese and lavender quiche. Take home some Nov & December. apple orchard and world class facilities mean culinary lavender flowers and try cooking with See our website that they have complete control over their lavender at home it works well in both savoury for opening times. production processes. It gives provenance, and sweet recipes, there’s even a cook book to integrity and confidence. give you some ideas. sheppyscider.com 01823 461 233 [email protected] www.somersetlavender.co.uk 01373 834893 xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx Somerset Lavender, Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset, BA3 5WA.