Two must-visit Yorkshire farm shops and a coffee shop with a difference

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Farm shops. Not only do they give people the chance to buy fruit, vegetables and meat directly from growers, but they also help in terms of sustainability, reducing food miles and plastic-free packaging.

At Farm Gate Farm Shop, for example, household products, toiletries and all of its dried products are all available to refill using any bottle or container; see more information on this below.

Meanwhile some farm shops have expanded their offering, and as well as selling produce, they make for a great day out with family and friends thanks to the experiences they offer. The Balloon Tree Farm Shop and Café is doing precisely that.

Also in our round-up, we spotlight how a coffee shop in Pateley Bridge is encouraging people to socialise and to get out in the great outdoors.

Farm Gate Farm Shop & Free-Range Butchery

Founded in 2017, Farm Gate has gone from local deliveries of its own free-range meat to an award-winning on-site farm shop, nestled in the stunning Howardian Hills, located between the Yorkshire Wolds.

Awarded ‘North Yorkshire’s Best Family-Run Farm Shop’ in 2023 by SME Northern Enterprise Awards and a finalist for the ‘Best Small Farm Shop of the Year’ in 2024 by the Farm Shop & Deli Retail Awards, Farm Gate is recognised for its wide range of organic and artisan produce. 

As well as its own high-welfare free-range meat, it also has over 700 product ranges, from locally grown organic fruit and vegetables, unhomogenised organic dairy, hand-crafted pies and pasties, to eco-friendly toiletries and more than 50 British artisan cheeses.

While the business has gone from strength to strength, its core values remain as strong today. It is a 100 per cent off-grid site, using renewable energy, and prioritises local suppliers and sustainability, with its meat, dairy, cheese, fruit and vegetables being sold plastic-free. 

All of its dried goods, household items and toiletries can also be bought as refills, further reducing waste.

The team pride themselves on their vast knowledge of their products and having a personal touch, knowing regular customers by name. It's the perfect stop for fine food and quality produce.

Open from 9am to 2pm Friday and Saturday, as well as weekday click and collect and nationwide delivery. Farm Gate Farm Shop, Thornton on the Hill, Easingwold, YO61 3QB. 

Visit the website for further details.

The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Café

The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Café is a family-run farm shop with more than 40 years of farming heritage, located just outside York. A must-visit for fresh, local produce, as well as seasonal experiences.

Its farm shop is stocked with home-baked treats, fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, local meats, and a full delicatessen counter.

Its award-winning café is also not to be missed – it sells homecooked, locally sourced dishes all year round, including homemade cakes, scones and desserts fresh every day. It's family-friendly too, with an enclosed café garden and play area – perfect for the spring and summer months.

The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Café's events are also popular. In May you can pick your own strawberries, then towards the end of September and throughout October is its pick your own pumpkins season, where there's a huge variety of homegrown pumpkins to choose from that you can collect in wheelbarrows, with photo opportunities aplenty. 

Meanwhile at Christmas, you can get a freshly cut Yorkshire-grown Nordmann and Fraser Fir Christmas tree, and you can pre-order the finest local turkey, meats, deli goods and bakery treats, making Christmas shopping easy.

Open all week (Monday to Sunday) from 9am to 5pm for the farm shop, and until 4.30pm for the café, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB. 

Visit the website for further details.

Wildish

Wildish is a speciality coffee shop run by Nell and Oscar Boatfield, on the high street in Pateley Bridge. It serves up seriously good coffee with three espresso options always on rotation – a bold house blend, a smooth single origin, and a seasonal guest – all of which are its own signature roasts, crafted with care and an obsession with detail.

But Wildish is more than just great coffee. It’s also home to the Wildish Club – a growing community that's a bit like Cubs but for adults. From the shop, it runs a community garden just down the road, and every Sunday the Wildish Club gathers at the shop for a ‘Wildish Wander’ – a chance to grab a brew, meet new faces, and head out into the hills.

It also designs and sells a small range of British-made bags in-store – practical, well-built, and handmade for everyday adventures.

This spring, it's launching a series of curated walks through their favourite hidden corners of the Dales. To find out about them, all Wildish Club events, and new coffee launches, you can join thousands of people who read its newsletter every week and stay up to date with all things Wildish. Sign up here, and to find out more about everything that Wildish does, click here.

Subscribers can read more about Wildish in our Business Q&A here. 

Open from 9am to 3.30pm Monday and Thursday, from 9am to 4pm Friday and Saturday and from 9.30am to 4pm on Sunday, 14 High Street, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5AW.