Suffolk Tourist Guide - Articles
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk are some of the best in the UK due to our long agricultural history, which today is still a critical part of our local economy. So not only will you meet some of our Farmers at these markets, but several of them are actually based on working farms, so you can see where your produce comes from at source.
For a list of regular Farmers Markets around the county please see the listing at the bottom of this article.
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Farm Shops
Jimmy's Farm
Pannington Hall Farm, Wherstead, Ipswich
Open daily throughout the year
Not many farms have their own TV show but the nation has been fascinated by the trials and tribulations of this farmer. When Jimmy started his rare breed pig farm nearly four years ago, his vision didn’t stop at just pigs. His vision was to create a farm that specialised in breeding rare breed pigs, cows and sheep. He wanted to create an environment where everyone could learn about farming, food and nature. The result is the Woodland Trail and Animal Paddock at Jimmy’s Farm. The Farm also offers an active Education resource, courses for kids in the school holidays, as well as the new JIMMY’S ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND - two crazy areas, one for the toddlers and another for those who are a bit more grown up. Climb like monkeys, slalom like snakes and go crazy on the rope ladder! A SHOP (All the meat is from Jimmy's Farm, and the vast butchery section gives way to the pantry, laden with local and regional goodies) and a FARMERS MARKET - Our Farmers' Market has been running for about 18 months and was recently included in the Guardian's choice of Britain's Most Vibrant Food markets - something that we are very proud of! But we couldn't do it without all the lovely producers who come along, rain or shine, to sell their fantastic stuff. See Jimmy's Pig Farm
Ufford Produce and Provison Co
Lower Ufford, Woodbridge
Open daily throughout the year
This is another award winning specialist Suffolk Food Store
Based in the picturesque village of Lower Ufford in the Deben Valley close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, The Ufford Produce and Provision Company is a Village Store and Post Office with a difference. With the owners aim of reducing Food Miles it offers the Customer the experience of visiting a Farmers Market every day of the week.
As well as fresh produce from surrounding farms all meat products are sourced from suppliers who raise and butcher their animals within a 30 mile radius of the shop. Traceability is the key and the company's owner has visited all his suppliers and is happy to talk to customers about the source of both the meat and produce in the shop. The shop also offers chef-prepared ready meals from award winning local chefs and hand made fishcakes
See Ufford Produce and Provision Co
Willow Trees
Glemsford, near Long Melford
Open daily throughout the year
Willow Trees farm shop sells as much seasonal and local produce as possible, and it is all superb quality. There are cheeses and chickens, cakes and breads, as well as classic frozen vegetables and ready meals. Willow Trees also stock a wide range of locally produced jams and chutneys, oils and sauces, and they are well worth a visit during the short asparagus season for a taste of those alone!
See Willow Tree Farm Shop
See Long Melford for reasons to visit this area
For accommodation in the area Accommodation around Long Melford
For eating in the area see
Eating in Long Melford
Maple Farm in Kelsale is a small family owned Suffolk farm. A few years ago we started to convert our fields to organic agriculture and this involves understanding natural processes rather than relying on pesticides and artificial fertilisers. Since then we have seen the health of our soil improve and our bird populations grow.
Our aim is to grow and sell produce locally: organic vegetables from our market garden, home-milled flour made from our organic cereals - we have our own stone mill on the farm - also honey and organic eggs from our flocks of hens. We distribute within a fifteen mile radius of the farm via our box scheme, and we always attend certain Farmers Markets: see our display for details Maple Farm Kelsale
Hollow Trees Farm Shop
Semer, near Ipswich
Open daily throughout the year
You will enjoy a visit to this award winning farm with a Les Routier accredited farm shop that has been established for 20 years. In addition to offering the best in local produce, Hollow Trees also has a farm trail walk that takes you through the fields and livestock sheds. Of course there’s a café – in this case a brand new Woodland Coffee Shop where snacks and light meals are served.
Wheelchair access
For more details see Hollow Trees Farm Shop
Kentwell Hall Home Farm
Long Melford
Open daily throughout the year
Kentwell Hall is a stunning Tudor Hall surrounded by timber framed farm buildings and extensive gardens. This is a working farm, operating in a traditional way, and has Suffolk Punch Horses and other Rare breeds on the farm. Kentwell Hall also organise spectacular events in the grounds, so a visit to this Farm Shop is a must. See Kentwell Hall.
Wheelchair access
See Long Melford for reasons to visit this area
For accommodation in the area Accommodation around Long Melford
For eating in the area see
Eating in Long Melford
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Friday Street Farm Shop and Tearooms
Farnham, Saxmundham
Open daily throughout the year
This wonderful Farm Shop offers a vast selection of home-grown or locally sourced products, specialising in cvakes, breads, jams, cheese, ice-cream, meats, poultry, fish, fresh flowers…Visit the ‘Maize Maze’ during the summer to entertain the whole family, or pick your own strawberries in season. After your shopping experience you’ll need a break so the Tearooms are on hand for light refreshments for lunch and tea.
Wheelchair accessible
Tel 01728 602783
Accommodation in and around Saxmundham
Easton Farm Park
Near Wickham Market
Open throughout the summer and October half term, plus weekends in December
Set in 35 acres of rolling Suffolk countryside, Easton Farm Park is a great way to learn about the countryside at firsthand. The Farm has many types of animals including – Suffolk Punch horses, cows, pigs, lambs, goats….There are daily activities including feed the animals, pony rides and pat-a-pet, as well as a Playbarn and adventure play area. After all this you can relax in the Riverside Café or find some goodies in the Gift Shop.
Farmers markets are held every month on the 4th Saturday
Wheelchair access
Tel 01728 746475
Assington Farm Shop
Assington, Sudbury
Open all year, 7 days a week
Assington Farm Shop offers a Farm Shop (which stocks a wide range of local and home grown fruit, vegetables, preserves, cheeses, cakes….), Plant Centre, Farm and Nature Trails and a Tea Hut.
Tel 01787 211610
Sudbury Accommodation
Alder Carr Farm Shop and PYO
Needham Market, near Ipswich
Open all year Tues-Sun, and Bank Hols and Summer Mondays.
Renowned for fantastic home made ice-creams, Alder Carr also offers an extensive Farm Shop full of fresh local and some organic produce. There’s also a farm restaurant on site, and a craft centre.
Each month (3rd Sat) there is a lively Farmers Market, and in season you can pick a range of fruit and vegetables.
Tel 01449 720820
Ipswich Accommodation
Rookery Farm Shop
Tattingstone, Ipswich
Open all year round Tues-Sat 10-5pm and Sun 10-4pm
Rookery Farm shop occupies an interesting 18thC barn and specialises in home grown and local seasonal produce, including vegetables, preserves and honey, fruit juices, baked goods and confectionery….
Tel 01473 327220
Ipswich Accommodation
Goslings Farm Shop and PYO
Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe
Open all year round
Goslings have a farm shop, a plant centre, PYO, a coffee shop open from morning coffee to afternoon tea during the summer, and fishing in well stocked lakes on the farm.
Tel 01394 273361
Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Sudbury St Peter's Church Last Friday monthly 9.30am-1pm
Long Melford Old School Community Centre 3rd Sat 10am-1pm
Lavenham Village Hall 4th Sat monthly all day
Wherstead Jimmy's Farm 1st Sat 9am-1pm
Barsham The Grange Farm Centre last Sat 9am-1pm
Earsham Earsham Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Ipswich Corn Hill 9am-4pm
Easton Easton Farm Park 4th Sat 9am-1pm
Needham Mkt Alder Carr Farm 3rd Sat 9am-1pm
Stowmarket Market Place 1st Fri 9am-1pm
Stanton Wyken Farm Every Sat 9am-1pm
Beccles Beccles Heliport 1st &3rd Sat 9am-1pm
Rickinghall Village Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Halesworth Holton Village Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Woodbridge Community Centre 2nd & 4th Sat 9am-1pm
Harkstead Village hall 3rd Sat 9am - 12 noon
Metfield Village hall 1st Sat 9am - 12 noon
Stradbroke Business & Ent College 1st Sat 9am-1pm
For organic food suppliers in Suffolk see Food Heaven
For a list of regular Farmers Markets around the county please see the listing at the bottom of this article.
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Farm Shops
Jimmy's Farm
Pannington Hall Farm, Wherstead, Ipswich
Open daily throughout the year
Not many farms have their own TV show but the nation has been fascinated by the trials and tribulations of this farmer. When Jimmy started his rare breed pig farm nearly four years ago, his vision didn’t stop at just pigs. His vision was to create a farm that specialised in breeding rare breed pigs, cows and sheep. He wanted to create an environment where everyone could learn about farming, food and nature. The result is the Woodland Trail and Animal Paddock at Jimmy’s Farm. The Farm also offers an active Education resource, courses for kids in the school holidays, as well as the new JIMMY’S ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND - two crazy areas, one for the toddlers and another for those who are a bit more grown up. Climb like monkeys, slalom like snakes and go crazy on the rope ladder! A SHOP (All the meat is from Jimmy's Farm, and the vast butchery section gives way to the pantry, laden with local and regional goodies) and a FARMERS MARKET - Our Farmers' Market has been running for about 18 months and was recently included in the Guardian's choice of Britain's Most Vibrant Food markets - something that we are very proud of! But we couldn't do it without all the lovely producers who come along, rain or shine, to sell their fantastic stuff. See Jimmy's Pig Farm
Ufford Produce and Provison Co
Lower Ufford, Woodbridge
Open daily throughout the year
This is another award winning specialist Suffolk Food Store
Based in the picturesque village of Lower Ufford in the Deben Valley close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, The Ufford Produce and Provision Company is a Village Store and Post Office with a difference. With the owners aim of reducing Food Miles it offers the Customer the experience of visiting a Farmers Market every day of the week.
As well as fresh produce from surrounding farms all meat products are sourced from suppliers who raise and butcher their animals within a 30 mile radius of the shop. Traceability is the key and the company's owner has visited all his suppliers and is happy to talk to customers about the source of both the meat and produce in the shop. The shop also offers chef-prepared ready meals from award winning local chefs and hand made fishcakes
See Ufford Produce and Provision Co
Willow Trees
Glemsford, near Long Melford
Open daily throughout the year
Willow Trees farm shop sells as much seasonal and local produce as possible, and it is all superb quality. There are cheeses and chickens, cakes and breads, as well as classic frozen vegetables and ready meals. Willow Trees also stock a wide range of locally produced jams and chutneys, oils and sauces, and they are well worth a visit during the short asparagus season for a taste of those alone!
See Willow Tree Farm Shop
See Long Melford for reasons to visit this area
For accommodation in the area Accommodation around Long Melford
For eating in the area see
Eating in Long Melford
Maple Farm in Kelsale is a small family owned Suffolk farm. A few years ago we started to convert our fields to organic agriculture and this involves understanding natural processes rather than relying on pesticides and artificial fertilisers. Since then we have seen the health of our soil improve and our bird populations grow.
Our aim is to grow and sell produce locally: organic vegetables from our market garden, home-milled flour made from our organic cereals - we have our own stone mill on the farm - also honey and organic eggs from our flocks of hens. We distribute within a fifteen mile radius of the farm via our box scheme, and we always attend certain Farmers Markets: see our display for details Maple Farm Kelsale
Hollow Trees Farm Shop
Semer, near Ipswich
Open daily throughout the year
You will enjoy a visit to this award winning farm with a Les Routier accredited farm shop that has been established for 20 years. In addition to offering the best in local produce, Hollow Trees also has a farm trail walk that takes you through the fields and livestock sheds. Of course there’s a café – in this case a brand new Woodland Coffee Shop where snacks and light meals are served.
Wheelchair access
For more details see Hollow Trees Farm Shop
Kentwell Hall Home Farm
Long Melford
Open daily throughout the year
Kentwell Hall is a stunning Tudor Hall surrounded by timber framed farm buildings and extensive gardens. This is a working farm, operating in a traditional way, and has Suffolk Punch Horses and other Rare breeds on the farm. Kentwell Hall also organise spectacular events in the grounds, so a visit to this Farm Shop is a must. See Kentwell Hall.
Wheelchair access
See Long Melford for reasons to visit this area
For accommodation in the area Accommodation around Long Melford
For eating in the area see
Eating in Long Melford
Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Friday Street Farm Shop and Tearooms
Farnham, Saxmundham
Open daily throughout the year
This wonderful Farm Shop offers a vast selection of home-grown or locally sourced products, specialising in cvakes, breads, jams, cheese, ice-cream, meats, poultry, fish, fresh flowers…Visit the ‘Maize Maze’ during the summer to entertain the whole family, or pick your own strawberries in season. After your shopping experience you’ll need a break so the Tearooms are on hand for light refreshments for lunch and tea.
Wheelchair accessible
Tel 01728 602783
Accommodation in and around Saxmundham
Easton Farm Park
Near Wickham Market
Open throughout the summer and October half term, plus weekends in December
Set in 35 acres of rolling Suffolk countryside, Easton Farm Park is a great way to learn about the countryside at firsthand. The Farm has many types of animals including – Suffolk Punch horses, cows, pigs, lambs, goats….There are daily activities including feed the animals, pony rides and pat-a-pet, as well as a Playbarn and adventure play area. After all this you can relax in the Riverside Café or find some goodies in the Gift Shop.
Farmers markets are held every month on the 4th Saturday
Wheelchair access
Tel 01728 746475
Assington Farm Shop
Assington, Sudbury
Open all year, 7 days a week
Assington Farm Shop offers a Farm Shop (which stocks a wide range of local and home grown fruit, vegetables, preserves, cheeses, cakes….), Plant Centre, Farm and Nature Trails and a Tea Hut.
Tel 01787 211610
Sudbury Accommodation
Alder Carr Farm Shop and PYO
Needham Market, near Ipswich
Open all year Tues-Sun, and Bank Hols and Summer Mondays.
Renowned for fantastic home made ice-creams, Alder Carr also offers an extensive Farm Shop full of fresh local and some organic produce. There’s also a farm restaurant on site, and a craft centre.
Each month (3rd Sat) there is a lively Farmers Market, and in season you can pick a range of fruit and vegetables.
Tel 01449 720820
Ipswich Accommodation
Rookery Farm Shop
Tattingstone, Ipswich
Open all year round Tues-Sat 10-5pm and Sun 10-4pm
Rookery Farm shop occupies an interesting 18thC barn and specialises in home grown and local seasonal produce, including vegetables, preserves and honey, fruit juices, baked goods and confectionery….
Tel 01473 327220
Ipswich Accommodation
Goslings Farm Shop and PYO
Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe
Open all year round
Goslings have a farm shop, a plant centre, PYO, a coffee shop open from morning coffee to afternoon tea during the summer, and fishing in well stocked lakes on the farm.
Tel 01394 273361
Farmers Markets in Suffolk
Sudbury St Peter's Church Last Friday monthly 9.30am-1pm
Long Melford Old School Community Centre 3rd Sat 10am-1pm
Lavenham Village Hall 4th Sat monthly all day
Wherstead Jimmy's Farm 1st Sat 9am-1pm
Barsham The Grange Farm Centre last Sat 9am-1pm
Earsham Earsham Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Ipswich Corn Hill 9am-4pm
Easton Easton Farm Park 4th Sat 9am-1pm
Needham Mkt Alder Carr Farm 3rd Sat 9am-1pm
Stowmarket Market Place 1st Fri 9am-1pm
Stanton Wyken Farm Every Sat 9am-1pm
Beccles Beccles Heliport 1st &3rd Sat 9am-1pm
Rickinghall Village Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Halesworth Holton Village Hall 2nd Sat 9am-1pm
Woodbridge Community Centre 2nd & 4th Sat 9am-1pm
Harkstead Village hall 3rd Sat 9am - 12 noon
Metfield Village hall 1st Sat 9am - 12 noon
Stradbroke Business & Ent College 1st Sat 9am-1pm
For organic food suppliers in Suffolk see Food Heaven