It is often regarded as one of the UK’s most expensive farm shops – but is it worth the eye-watering prices?
The biscuits were expensive
Few corners of Britain have captured the imagination quite like the Cotswolds. With its distinctive golden-hued stone houses, undulating hills and picture-perfect settlements, it ranks amongst England’s most frequented destinations.
Whether visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway, Burford or the lesser-known hamlets in between, its appeal is undeniable.
One establishment that has garnered considerable attention is Daylesford Organic, the Gloucestershire enterprise established by Carole Bamford. What started as Bamford’s organic agricultural venture in the 1970s has evolved into an extensive operation featuring a farm shop, dining establishment, cookery and wellness centre.
It’s frequently cited as the most expensive farm shop in the UK.
Each visit to Daylesford follows an identical pattern for me. I turn up expecting to be utterly captivated, believing that perhaps this time I’ll finally grasp what all the fuss is about, yet I consistently depart questioning why the expectation proves more satisfying than the actual experience.
Daylesford undeniably excels at its craft. It’s a farm shop featuring pristine displays of organic goods, freshly baked loaves, a dedicated cheese section, and attractive household items.
The structures are striking, the grounds are impeccably kept, and it possesses those finishing touches that make it an Instagram favourite. However, a glance at the price tags tells a different story.
During a recent birthday visit while exploring the Cotswolds, the same reaction struck me once again. This isn’t somewhere you’d nip into for an affordable little treat or mug; the pricing caters to an altogether different clientele.
A chopping board carried a £125 price tag, while a straightforward Daylesford tote bag was going for £85. Should you fancy grabbing dinner for later, a cottage pie would set you back over £12, with a basic carrot cake costing roughly the same.
Daylesford feels less like a traditional farm shop and more like an upmarket lifestyle venue with rural inspiration.
I selected a modest chocolate present for a relative’s birthday, only to be taken aback by the £14 cost. Even a packet of white chocolate and lemon biscuits commanded £8.
This became especially clear during our breakfast stop. Despite the farm shop stocking all the relevant ingredients, there was no full English on the menu, so I chose a cinnamon roll from the bakery.
My boyfriend went for scrambled eggs and salmon on toast, though the hefty £20 price made it difficult to justify.
Once we’d factored in a couple of beverages and a service charge, our modest breakfast came to nearly £60. The concept behind Daylesford sounds wonderful.
The prospect of exploring an organic farm nestled in the Cotswolds, savouring exquisitely crafted dishes made with nearby produce, and perusing a thoughtfully curated shop seems like an ideal birthday outing.
However, the experience doesn’t quite live up to expectations in my view. Should you find yourself in the Cotswolds with time to spare, it might be worth a quick visit, though I wouldn’t suggest making it a dedicated destination.
If I could sum my visit up in one word, it would simply be expensive.
There are considerably superior farm shops, home goods stores and destinations where your time and resources would be better invested.
