Food & drink producers

Real ales and craft beers have been enjoying a revival of late, and luckily the Chilterns has plenty to offer on tap.  From the traditional Chilterns Brewery (the oldest in the Chilterns brewing for over 30 years) to modern Malt the Brewery, there is an award-winning line-up of classic styles (cask and bottle-conditioned) as well as speciality, seasonal brews to keep things interesting for your customers. Also check out Tring Brewery and Rebellion Beer Co. in Marlow for more local pints.

The Chilterns countryside is home to family-run farms and smallholdings producing succulent, flavourful and sustainably-sourced meat for your dishes.  Local specialities include organic Oxford Sandy & Black pork from Drovers Hill Farm near Saunderton, grass-fed lamb and hogget (8 breeds!) from Chiltern Lamb in the Hambleden Valley, and free-range chicken and turkey from Potash Farm Foods near Tring.

Also check out Chiltern Farm Food at Stockings Farm near Amersham and Orchard View Farm near Princes Risborough and Chess Valley Lamb in Amersham- three family farms that specialise in outdoor-reared pork, lamb and game.

Along the rivers that weave through Chilterns villages and market towns, records of working watermills go back to Domesday times. Redbournbury Watermill near St Albans has been restored and sells traditional stoneground flour. There has been a resurgence in artisan bread with many new bakeries on the scene. Jungs Bakery in Beaconsfield is one of the most established. Zanni’s Bakery makes sourdough bread with heritage grains grown on their farm in Prestwood.

Since Roman times, vines have been grown on the chalky slopes of the Chilterns and Thames Valley. There has been a surge of interest in English wine and the thin chalky soils of the Chilterns are producing award-winning wines, with many vineyards popping up in recent years.

Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery in the Hambleden Valley is one of the most established winemakers producing a range of white, rose, red and sparkling wines. Oaken Grove Vineyard is a family-run, boutique vineyard just outside Henley-on-Thames, producing a range of award-winning English wines including their acclaimed blush wine. Award-winning local bubbly is made in the traditional Champagne method at Daws Hill Vineyard near Radnage in both white and rose varieties.

Fields of yellow, apple orchards and buzzing bees…a Chilterns larder wouldn’t be complete without these artisanal products that go straight from field to bottle or jar.

Mead & Sons Farm near Tring produce the versatile and award-winning Chiltern Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil. Of course their crops are pollinated by local bees who then produce delicious golden honey – try Parslow Apiaries in Bledlow and Berkhamsted Bees for some of the best. A taste of the orchard (or windfall) can be enjoyed year-round as farm-pressed apple juice from the organic Drovers Hill Farm near Saunderton or Chiltern Ridge near Chesham. You can also bring in apples to be pressed into your own-brand juice.

Artisan cheesemaking has seen a national revival in recent years and the Chilterns is no exception. There are some award-winning gems:

Wobbly Bottom Farm near Hitchin produce a beautiful range of goat’s cheese from their herd of Saanen, Alpine and Toggenburg goats. The Marlow Cheese company produce a range of cow and sheep milk cheeses. Their most recent addition is the vegetarian ‘Chiltern Cloud’ which won gold and silver at the Artisan Cheese Awards 2021. Also check out Nettlebed Creamery near Henley who produce a range of cheeses using their own organic milk. You can now buy direct from the farm in their newly opened Cheese Shed shop and café.

Loved by many locals for the unmistakable taste, Guernsey cow’s milk and cream are traditionally produced at Laceys’ Family Farm, an award-winning 450 acre farm that has been part of the Chilterns landscape for seven generations.  The farm is situated in the beautiful rolling hills near Lane End, with their Farmshop and Butchers located just outside the village. They sell milk, meat and eggs from their farm, plus an impressive range of produce from the local area.

Take a cue from some of the best chefs who forage for seasonal ingredients right in their backyard.  Whilst many think of autumn berries and mushrooms, try some springtime foraging instead. The Chilterns’ shaded ancient woodlands provide the perfect conditions for fragrant wild garlic. You might also find young beech leaves, sorrel, chervil and definitely the versatile nettle!

Interested in foraging? There are guided walks and workshops available: