Rest Awhile

In general I avoid calling in at motorway service stops with their burger chains, coffee bars, obligatory sandwich shops, newsagents, and piled high snack counters, not forgetting the costly fuel. It is different here on the western edge of the Cotswolds where if you are travelling north or south on the M5 a service stop is more like calling in at a contemporary outlet for somewhere akin to Harrods or Fortnum & Masons.

A smart contemporary restaurant serving interesting, delicious, seasonal food

The shopping area is filled with organic and freshly made produce which comes directly from local farms or small west country producers within a radius of 30 miles

You will find a butcher, an artisan baker, a pâtissier, a fishmonger, sausages made from wild boar, and Gloucester Old Spot pigs, along with locally handmade pottery, and crafts 

Locally produced cheese - the cheese in the middle is Cerney cheese which is made close to the village of South Cerney shown on my previous posting

French local pâtissier, Richard Bertinet, originally from Brittany

Homemade fudge

A myriad of freshly baked pies 

straight from the farm

handcrafted goods

Not for eating - this is soap!!!

I have not, of course, received any renumeration for posting this. I simply find it is an interesting concept, and possibly a different way forward for other areas to replicate. The family who have opened this farm outlet were also responsible for opening a similar one on the motorway in Cumbria which has now become an important resource employing over 150 local people, not counting all the farmers and producers who also benefit by being able to sell their products through the outlet. It is now favoured by many who drive through Cumbria on their way up and down from Scotland. It is a creative approach to promoting local foods and crafts and an enterprising way of catching passing travellers.

*************

.......for a short break. The bags are packed, the bird feeders have been filled, the flower pots watered, so it is time to hit the road albeit not along a motorway!