Meat and fish products
Vegetables and mixed produce
Drinks
© National Trust
Beef and hoggets from F.Conisbee on the Polesden Lacey Estate in Surrey
Stubble turnip fed hogget
Each year the farm produces 250 hoggets. To produce a distinct flavour and texture the lambs feed on local grass and are finished on stubble turnips.
Sussex cross beef topside
Using a local breed, suited to the clay and chalk downland pastures of the area, just 120 cattle are finished each year.
What the judges said:
- Stubble turnip fed hogget: A succulent, tender and juicy piece of meat with lovely fat.
- Sussex cross beef topside: Well presented topside with a full and well-rounded flavour.
Where to buy:
The hogget and beef topside are available at F.Conisbee & Son butchers (East Horsley, Surrey). For more information visit www.fconisbee.co.uk
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Aberdaron seafood on the Llyn peninsula in North Wales
A co-operative of local fisherman based at the National Trust fishing cove, Porth Meudwy.
Dressed brown crab
Caught by traditional methods off the coast of the Llyn Peninsula. The crab is then prepared at Cwrt Farm next to the cove where it is dressed and packed.
What the judges said:
- Great fresh aroma, beautiful brown meat and definitely a product I would buy. Best product on the day.
Where to buy:
The dressed crab is available at the Ship Hotel and Caffi Hen Blas in Aberdaron
Sausages & Bacon from Grove Farm on the South Peak Estate in Derbyshire
The farm is set 1,000 feet above sea level on rocky limestone pasture; its bank sides overlooking the River Dove in the heart of the White Peak. Set within an English Nature Reserve, it is a mixed dairy, beef, sheep and rare breed pig farm.
Rare breed pork sausages
Simple meaty pork sausage with no other ingredients apart from seasoning made from Gloucester Old Spot and Tamworth pork. The sausages are half pork shoulder and half belly pork.
Rare breed dry cured back bacon
Long cured and adapted from a local recipe originating in the 1800s.
What the judges said:
- Rare breed pork sausages: Spicy and meaty. A good evening sausage.
- Rare breed dry cured back bacon: Sweet and gammon-like.
Where to buy:
The bacon and sausages are available direct from the farm and through the Peak District farm shop at Stanshope or online at www.peakdistrictfarmshop.co.uk.
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Hindon Organic Farm on the Holnicote estate in the Exmoor National Park
Hindon is an organic farm set on Exmoor. They are committed to maintaining the principles of organic farming, caring for animals and producing quality organic meat whilst providing a personal service.
Gloucester Old Spot sausage
Produced from home reared, free-range pigs and made by hand to their own recipes.
Gloucester Old Spot pork shoulder
Produced from home reared, free-range pigs which root and graze the fields naturally.
What the judges said:
- Gloucester Old Spot sausage: A good looking, delicious sausage.
- Gloucester Old Spot pork shoulder: Looks like pork should with superb crackling. It had a strong flavour with a hint of game.
Where to buy:
The organic meat is available for delivery, mail order, or collection from our shop. For more information please visit www.exmoororganicmeat.co.uk
Pork from Hardwick Park Farm on the Hardwick Hall Estate in Derbyshire
Farmers Richard and Clare Aldis run the farm with the Trust. In October 2003, the farm entered a Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement helping to restore the parkland and create more open access.
British Lop leg of pork, pork chops and hand made pork pies
The pigs are left to mature naturally and are fed a GM-free diet.
What the judges said:
- British Lop leg of pork: Good flavour, especially in the fat. Produced the best crackling of the day.
- British Lop pork chops: A good old fashioned pork chop with a long length of flavour.
- Hardwick Lop Pork Pie: A rustic looking pork pie with a firm texture and balanced seasoning.
Where to buy:
All the products are available from the Hardwick Park Farm shop. For more information visit www.hardwickparkfarm.co.uk
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Minced beef from Park Farm on the Blickling Estate in Norfolk
Time has stood still at this farm situated in the Bure Valley. Traditional farm buildings and grazing regimes are still in use today.
Park Farm minced beef
All the Aberdeen Angus cross cattle are homebred from a closed herd. The carcass is hung for three to four weeks to allow the flavour to mature.
What the judges said:
- Pleasing crimson colour with a great flavour.
Where to buy:
- The mince is available over the counter at G F Whites butchers in Aylsham, Norfolk.
Stewing steak from Coldcot Farm on the Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire
By 1 September 2008 the farm will have completed its conversion to organic. All hanging and butchery is done on the farm.
Lean diced stewing steak
A Charollais cross Angus herd. Summer grazed on a herb rich pasture and then housed in winter and fed a diet of cracked wheat and silage. Hung for 21 days to give good colour and tender eating.
What the judges said:
- Diced beef with a satisfying taste which develops in the mouth.
Where to buy:
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Gammon from the National Trust’s Wimpole Home Farm
A model farm, Wimpole was built in 1794 and is the largest rare breeds centre in East Anglia. The stockman selects animals for slaughter when they have reached the right weight rather than age.
Rare breed gammon
Wimpole’s pigs are allowed to mature naturally, taking longer to finish than conventional pork. This suits the old-style breeds and results in quality meat with enhanced flavour. Choice cuts of Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot are hand prepared and traditionally cured by soaking them in brine.
What the judges said:
- Good quality gammon that didn’t shrink after cooking and has a sweet pork belly flavour.
Where to buy:
The gammon is sold in Wimpole’s Farm Shop. It also features on the menus at the National Trust restaurant at Wimpole.
Dolaucothi Lamb, Wales
A group of eight like-minded National Trust tenant farmers haves been working in partnership since 2003 to produce top quality lamb. In 2005, Dolaucothi lamb won the True Taste of Wales Award. All the farms in the co-op are Freedom Food Assured due to their high standards of animal welfare.
Dolaucothi lamb
Each farm produces anything from between 200-800 lambs that include such traditional and rare breeds as Welsh Mountain, Beulah Speckle Faced and Balwen. Born in March, the lambs are weaned in mid-summer and put out on the grassy pastures of the Cothi Valley. Working with local abattoir, Oriel Jones & Sons, they supply whole legs of lamb.
Where to buy:
- Dolaucothi lamb is available exclusively through 26 Sainsbury’s stores in England and Wales
© Kate Maciver-Redwood
Haye Farm on River Tamar organic produce
Haye has been an organic farm since October 2003. A herd of suckler cows and a flock of sheep graze meadows along the banks of the River Tamar.
Organic beef
From South Devon cattle. Bred and reared on the farm, the cattle have a short trip to the local abattoir where the meat is hung for three weeks. Mince, sirloin steak and rolled sirloin of beef.
Organic leg of lamb
From a Suffolk cross Charolais 11 month old lamb. Bred and reared on the farm.
Organic ‘Claudia’ broad beans
This flavoursome variety of bean is grown on organic land. Grown as part of the Riverford Co-operative.
Organic ‘Charlotte’ potatoes
Grown as part of the South Devon Organic Producers, this variety is full of flavour.
What the judges said:
- Organic minced beef: A meaty tasting coarse ground mince.
- Organic rolled sirloin of beef: Delicate flavour, good buchery light in complexion and cooked up very well.
- Organic sirloin steak: Light in complexion, incredibly tender, sweet, succulent and subtle in flavour.
- Organic leg of lamb: Good looking cut of meat on the bone. An earthy flavour and moist texture.
- Organic ‘Claudia’ broad beans: Sweet and fresh.Consistently big sized beans.
- Organic ‘Charlotte’ potatoes: Gorgeous, sweet and slightly earthy. A proper British potato, perfect for salads.
Where to buy:
Products are available through Riverford. Visit www.riverford.co.uk for more information.
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Coleshill Organics on the Coleshill Estate in Oxfordshire
Coleshill Organics started in 1995. The business grew out of a passion to provide local people with the highest quality fresh produce. Following organic principals and with a focus on local,
Organic vegetable box
With over 80 varieties of vegetable grown on site for their taste and not necessarily their look, a box from Coleshill Organics varies weekly. Many of the vegetables will have been picked the morning they are delivered.
Where to buy:
The vegetable boxes are available at collection points within 25 miles of the farm and from the onsite shop. www.coleshillorganics.co.uk
Potatoes from Trehill Farm on the Marloes peninsula in Pembrokeshire
Trehill farm is situated at the most south westerly tip of Wales, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The farm is surrounded by sea on three sides with views of the famous bird islands of Skomer and Skokholm.
Pembrokeshire early potatoes
Trehill select their varieties based on earliness and flavour. They are constantly looking for new varieties to add to their fields. The potatoes are grown and packed on the farm.
What the judges said:
- Lady Crystl had a lovely sweet flavour. Oriana was slightly waxier and Marilyn had a satisfying, firm consistency.
Where to buy:
For further information please visit www.trehillfarm.co.uk
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Cider from the National Trust's Killerton Estate
The National Trust acquired Killerton in 1944. Within the estate there are five orchards growing over 58 varieties of apple.
Cider
Cidermaking has been revived on the Killerton Estate since the early 1990s. Most of the apples are West Country varieties and two come directly from the estate.
What the judges said:
- Deep, complex apple scents coming from this medium dry cider with earthy character.
Where to buy:
The cider is available in the restaurant at Killerton, local National Trust shops and agricultural shows.
Westerham Brewery near the Scotney Estate in Kent
Established in 2004, Westerham Brewery use locally sourced malt and hops to produce real ales with a distinct yet traditional flavour.
Little Scotney Best Bitter
This bitter is brewed using hops from the National Trust’s hop garden at nearby Scotney Castle. Deep mahogany in colour with a lingering finish from the Target dry hops.
Where to buy:
The bitter is available in National Trust shops and restaurants in the south east, selected Waitrose stores, independent shops and direct from the brewery. www.westerhambrewery.co.uk
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