Super-Size Your Farm Shop Experience with a Food Tour of South Devon

South Devon's farm shops have transformed into gourmet destinations, offering an impressive array of local goods. Greendale Farm Shop, located in the picturesque South West, stands out with its extensive selection of home-grown and West Country-sourced products. The shop began 15 years ago as a small egg stand and has grown into a community hub, especially flourishing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it offers everything from fresh produce, cheese, and meats to pastries, sourdough, and ice cream, filling a giant barn and outbuildings.

Visitors can enjoy a meal at Greendale’s restaurant, which has doubled its capacity and is known for its weekend ‘farmer’s breakfast’. The farm shop also features a chippie that sells 200 kilos of fish from Friday to Sunday. Quality is paramount at Greendale, with handmade sausages, four-week-matured boned steak, lobster tanks, house-smoked fish, and fresh local catch available.

Nearby, Darts Farm offers a similar experience, evolving from a small hut into a 'lifestyle shopping destination'. The region also boasts renowned farm-food enterprises like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage and Riverford Organic Farmers, alongside other local food powerhouses that have recently emerged.

South Devon is not just about farm shops; its vineyards are gaining international acclaim. Lympstone Manor Estate in Exmouth has produced its first classic cuvée and gold-medal-winning Pinot Noir. The vineyard, which began planting in 2018, has succeeded despite the challenging climate. Visitors can sample these wines in the elegant setting of Lympstone’s lounge bar or dining room, enjoying pairings with locally sourced dishes.

Sharpham Wine, near the Dart Estuary, is another notable vineyard. With around 40 years of experience, it focuses on low-intervention varieties and offers tastings in its rustic barn overlooking new organic vines. The estate's former milking shed now houses Circa, a restaurant offering small plates paired with the vineyard’s wines.

Salcombe, where the Kingsbridge Estuary meets sandy beaches, is home to Devon Rum and Salcombe Gin. Visitors can dock at Devon Rum’s shop for tastings, enjoying locally blended rums. Bar Buoy in Exmouth offers pre-mixed cocktails perfect for beachgoers, using local ingredients like rum from Exeter’s Two Drifters.

South Devon's culinary scene extends to restaurants and delis, with highlights including Rockfish in Exmouth, known for its sustainable seafood. Mitch Tonks, a champion of British seafood, ensures daily catches from Brixham are served fresh.

The South West 660 road trip, launched in 2022, showcases the best of the region’s coastal dining spots. From Burgh Island’s The Oyster Shack to Plymouth’s Barbican district, travelers can enjoy a variety of local flavors along this scenic route.

South Devon's food and drink offerings are diverse and impressive, making it a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts.