Farleigh Road

Norton St Philip, Bath BA2 7NG

01225 720006

farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk

Health and safety: Mask required

Ample free onsite parking

Disabled access

Our ratings:

Food 9/10

Service 8/10

TripAdvisor: 4.5

FARM shops often come with accompanying cafe's, and they make great places to meet friends: you can have a great discussion aka catch up on some gossip, eat lunch or just coffee and cake and then enjoy a little light shopping, secure in the knowledge you are doing several Good Things, including supporting your local farming and business communities, cutting down on food miles and so helping the planet and eating healthily.

So I sallied forth to the Farleigh Road version (for those who have missed this treat so far, it's just off the A36, take the road past Farleigh Castle out of Trowbridge and watch out for the dog leg crossing on the main road) to meet a longstanding friend full of anticipation.

Which was only dampened slightly by realising that as they have less seating than usual we had to wait for a table....outside...in December....and it was beginning to drizzle.

Still the staff had us in as soon as they could without actually whipping empty plates away the second other people put their knives and forks down, and we sat down, relishing the overhead heating.

Lunch was the order of the day, and I went for an old favourite here and ordered the quiche and salad - run-up to the festive season and all that, watching the waistline, let's ignore the fact that new potatoes taste so much better with butter on. The quiche filling changes daily and there is always a veggie option available. I love their quiche, the filling is always thick and well cooked without being rubbery, and at £9.50 it's a good meal without breaking the bank.

My friend opted for the bubble and squeak, £7.50, from the light meals section of the menu. Vegetables and mash fried used to be what we got fed on Tuesday with the last bits of the joint, but these days seems to have become gourmet-d. Topped with crispy bacon and a fried egg, it turned out to be quite a substantial light bite as when it arrived there were two helping of bubble and squeak and two fried eggs.

It met with her approval, although she did say it was a shame that by the time she got to the second one the heat from the mash had cooked the egg right through, so she missed the rush of runny yolk she'd enjoyed with the first portion.

Quite some chat later, we tried to order cake for pudding, and hit a bit of a delay attracting the waitress' attention. However once alerted she quickly produced the menu and we decided on a slice of coffee and walnut sponge and a wedge of cherry and almond with lemon icing, both of which were delicious. And such large portions you needed a fork to eat them. By this time the cafe was emptying of its lunch trade, they'd turned the heaters off and it was time to move on to the shop.

This is more a food farm shop than the sort that also stocks lots of gifts, and I had a great time collecting bits and bobs for Christmas - and yes, the net of chocolate sprouts got a laugh on Christmas Day in stockings.

I also chose some goodies for the Christmas hamper we give my in-laws every year, having found this is the best solution to the old what-do-you-buy-elderly-relations-who-have everything dilemma.

Altogether a lovely experience and definitely a super way to spend a couple of hours when you have time to relax over your chat and shopping.

Alison Phillips

Farleigh Road Farm Shop Cafe

Farleigh Road

Norton St Philip, Bath BA2 7NG

01225 720006

farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk

Health and safety: Mask required

Ample free onsite parking

Disabled access

Our ratings:

Food 9/10

Service 8/10

TripAdvisor: 4.5