There’s something deeply satisfying about a proper Ploughman’s lunch – that honest plate of good bread, bold cheese, crisp salad, and a few mouth-tingling pickles. It’s simple food, but when it’s made with proper ingredients, it’s anything but basic.
At our farm shop, we’re here to help you build the Ploughman’s of your dreams - whether you’re packing a picnic, setting out a lunch board for friends, or just fancying a feast for one. Here's how to do it, farm-style:
Start with the stars of the show - cheese and cold cuts
You can’t go wrong with a chunk of Snowdonia’s Black Bomber, or spice things up with Ruby Mist or Amber Mist. Fancy a British classic? Try Westcombe Cheddar or Colston Bassett Stilton – both proper farmhouse favourites.
Add in cold cuts like our Wessex Country Gammon or cooked UK salt beef, or go continental with a platter of Casa Demont tapas or classic Italian antipasto.
Add the crunch and colour
Build your base with crusty bread and one of our new Sublime flavoured butters – we love the truffle parmesan or chimichurri for something different. Then load up on salad: fresh-picked growing lettuce, peppery watercress from Chalke Valley, crunchy celery, baby cucumbers, or some sweet English strawberries on the side for colour and contrast.
Don’t forget the pickles
This is where the magic happens. We’ve got a pickled something for everyone: onion marmalade with garlic, vampire relish (don’t knock it till you try it!), and our farm favourites like chilli jam, gardeners' choice chutney, or the classic Stokes piccalilli.
Put it all together
Pile it high, pour a cold drink, and dig in. Whether it’s a traditional spread or a grazing-style board with a continental twist, a Ploughman’s is a celebration of summer simplicity – and when you shop local, it tastes even better.
Come and get yours – we’ll help you pick your perfect combo.
