Where to shop in Kent and Sussex: the best grocers, delicatessens and farm shops
It’s not called the Garden of England for nothing. Kent’s natural larder, from vine to land to sea, offers world-class produce, from Whitstable oysters to English sparkling wine which rivals that of Champagne. Its neighbouring sunny Sussex is no less bountiful. Here are some of the best delis, farm shops and grocery stores in which you can find the counties’ best produce.
KENT
1. The Good Shed, Canterbury
This farmers market, food hall and restaurant is a veritable emporium of British (and some European) produce – the sort of place where onions hang from the rafters. The vegetables, piled high, all come from within a 12-mile radius, and there’s also a butcher, a baker and a general store where you can pick up English salted butter and Chapel Down wine. Don’t miss the fishmongers where you can get just-caught langoustines, dressed crab and Dover sole.
2. Granny Smiths, Whitstable
A family-run greengrocer complete with pretty striped green awnings covering crates of glorious fruit and veg. Specialities include candy beetroots, wild mushrooms and Italian blood oranges.
3. Perry Court Farm, Ashford
A 300-acre farm on the North Downs, whose farm shop does a roaring trade in its own produce (they specialise in dried fruits). There are goods from local producers too, such as bread from Davies and Way bakeries and British cheeses and meat from M.B Farms in Faversham.
4. Macknade, Faversham and Ashford
This fine food hall located in Faversham has been in the same family since 1847, so it stands to reason they have finessed the selection available in their shop – everything from Gusbourne sparkling wine to Kentish rapeseed oil and hot sauce (and a few Italian classics for good measure, such as charcuterie and Perello olives). They have a smaller outpost at Elwick Place in Ashford.
EAST SUSSEX
5. Tottingworth Farm Shop
This farm shop, located in the High Weald Area of Natural Beauty, offers a wide selection of meat (some of which is already marinated) and veg, plus freshly baked bread from the Sussex Kitchen, local dairy products and even fish pies and lasagne to take home. Everyone will be happy at Sunday lunch – you can even get offcuts for your four-legged pals.
6. Barley Sugar Deli, Eastbourne
A picturesque delicatessen offering the finest goodies from Sussex and beyond. They stock the likes of Brighton blue cheese, English cured meats and East and West Sussex sparkling wines (Goring Estate, Hindleap, Wiston Estate), as well as the best bits from the continent too: Italian truffle crisps, La Chinata paprika, French comté, chocolate Amatilers and Ortiz sardines.
7. Middle Farm Shop
This farm shop, at the foot of Firle Beacon on the South Downs, was reportedly one of the first in the UK. They have a herd of Pookhill Jersey cows – so you can pick up Jersey milk (plus cream and ice cream), as well as grass-fed beef. They sell 25 types of Sussex cheese, plus fruit and veg from local growers. There’s also an apple orchard, producing some of the best apple juice and cider in the county.
WEST SUSSEX
8. Taj the Grocer, Brighton
Taj has been on the corner of Western Road since 1965. Ever since, it’s been selling Asian and Middle Eastern ingredients, from sumac and labneh to frozen chapattis and Indian sweets. There’s plenty of fruit and veg too – including white aubergines, cassava and Chinese karela.
9. The Sussex Produce Company, Steyning
The Sussex Produce Company does what it says on the tin: sources the very best produce from local farmers and producers. The edit includes tomatoes from Nutbourne Nursery; smoked fish from Springs’ Smokery in Edburton; meat from Michael Courtney Family Butchers; Harvey’s beer; Nyetimber wine; plus award-winning cheese and plenty else besides. The Hemsley sisters, Prue Leith and Mary Berry are all fans.
10. The Hungry Guest, Petworth
“Puts the market back into market town”: there’s a butcher, baker, fishmonger and cheesemonger all rolled into a pretty shop in this countryside town in the South Downs. Alongside the best local (and European) producers, they stock their own brand of pickles, honey, pasta sauces, marinades and frozen foods. They also have an outpost in West Malling, plus a roving delivery truck popping up all over Sussex.
11. The Cowdray Estate Farm Shop
A 16,500-acre estate in the South Downs, home to some of the earliest Tudor houses in the country and visited by both King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth. Today, it includes a working farm, rental properties and its own glorious farm shop. The butcher has award-winning game in season, alongside its estate-reared lamb and beef, plus there are Cowdray eggs, apple juice, Kefir and honey available. Otherwise, expect suppliers such as Neal’s Yard Dairy, The Real Patisserie Company and Nutbourne tomatoes.
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