Lower Oakley Farm in the village of Chilthorne Domer, between Yeovil and Ilchester, is home to a herd of 160 water buffalo.  These gentle giants, descended from Asian Water Buffalo, produce flavoursome meat that is some 40% lower in cholesterol than traditional beef.

A full range of products is available such as fillet, sirloin and rump steaks, topside and silverside, braising steak and delicious peppered steaks.

Buy from farmers' markets at Axbridge, Poundbury, Frome, Martock, Sherbourne, Crewkerne and Montacute House or call into the small farm shop and see the buffalo for yourself.

While you're there why not pop into the Halfawy house and enjoy water buffalo cooked to your liking.

Drawing on 17 years of hands-on brewing experience, Jem Ham first brewed Best Bitter in October 2006.  Since that first brew, Cheddar Ales has quietly established a reputation that has spread in a ripple from his new Cheddar Brewery, not only for the highly drinkable session bitter, but also for the fuller, fruitier Potholer, culminating in a silver medal at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) South West Festival at Tuckers Maltings.

Visitors are welcome to call in to see the brewery and a selection of bottles, 9 pint tins, 18 or 36 pint polys and special gift items.

To help your function go with a swing there is a bar loan service available via Taste of Somerset.

Watch this space for new products too!

The art of distilling has been revived in the orchards of Somerset!

Apples have been grown and cider pressed at Burrow Hill for over 150 years, but it was not until 1989 that the company was granted the first recorded cider distilling license.

Julian grows a staggering 100 varieties of apples!  What makes each of the brandies and ciders unique is the blend of apples and the particular oak barrels it is aged in.   The brandies range from single-cask bottlings to the magnificent, light 15 year-old alchemy, to the spicy, floral 3 year-old.  Burrow Hill bottle fermented, champagne-style ciders and the award winning draught ciders are equally special.

For a long Summer drink, mix Kingston Black, an apple aperitif blended from Cider brandy and vintage apple juice, with lemonade.

You can order online, but how much better to go down and see the ciderhouse for yourself and decide which product is right for you.  We can’t wait to get down and taste them all, we’ll report back if we’re able!

Cheddar Spring Water is extracted by the Urch family from their Spring in the caves beneath the Mendips, dating over 2000 years. 

High in minerals and with a neutral pH it is not just a refreshing drink, but a perfect detoxifier.  It is the first English Spring water from an organic catchment area.

Available in both still and sparkling formats, in PET and glass, sizes range from 330ml to 1.5l and stocked in most hospitality and retail outlets in the immediate area we predict that Cheddar Water will soon become a must-have product for any outlet in the region

This is a farm shop as they are meant to be – from the moment you turn into the drive, dodging the roosters and guinea fowl, it’s obvious that this is a real working farm in an idyllic setting.  You will be welcomed by a friendly face and a helpful, unhurried approach.  When was the last time someone took the time to ask you what cut of beef you’d like, how many it was for, and whether you wanted to slow roast it, before selecting several alternatives for you to choose from – all from the award-winning herd and hung for at least 3 weeks to bring out the full flavour?

Nyland is worth visiting for the beef alone, but it’s perfectly feasible to do the whole weekly shop there; they also sell locally sourced pork, lamb, free range chicken, duck and eggs and a fine selection of local cheeses fit for any cheeseboard.  There’s a good range of organic and locally produced vegetables and fruit, as well as cereals, sauces, frozen home-made meals, pies and chutneys. 

For those with a sweet tooth you can’t beat the wonderful homemade cakes and local ice cream. 

The shop is open on the last saturday of each month 9.30am to 5.30pm, when in all but the Winter months, there will be a display and sale of live poulty by Tony and Felicity Doble . Customers can let Lisa know of any special orders they would like in advance.

Thatchers has been crafting premium cider from English apples at its Somerset mill since 1904.

A family run business, Thatchers has grown from farm-house producer into one of the country’s leading craft cider makers. Thriving on new ideas, Thatchers was the first cider maker to introduce single variety ciders – ciders made from just one type of apple – such as Katy Coxs, Dabinett and Prince William. New this year is Katy Rosé, a wine-style blush cider that has the appearance of a rosé wine but the light and fruity taste of a contemporary cider.

You can buy Thatchers ciders on-line at www.thatcherscider.co.uk, or you can visit the Thatchers Cider Shop in Sandford, where you can choose from the full range of ciders, both draught and bottle.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 6pm

Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.00am to 1.00pm

Combine the best influences from Italy – gelati, Illy Coffee, bubbly, confident service and unmistakable style – with one of the most quirky shopping streets in Somerset – and the biggest question will be ‘to shop first or to eat and drink first?’

At Café La Strada you will be assured of a warm welcome and bustling yet intimate atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy a selection of handmade ciabatta, such as brie and caramelised onions, pastries – beware the Spanish almond cake will possess you! - and La Strada’s own Senso Ice Cream, with a perfect cup of coffee, Tea Pigs tea or perhaps a smoothie of the day. 

Emporio La Strada continues the theme with wonderful food and delightful kitchenware; think Selfridges with an artisan twist and a Somerset smile.  Italian panettone alongside aromatic jelly, minimalist Alessi design alongside traditional wicker hampers; a combination that reflects the style, passion and imagination of the owners themselves.

Think of a Harvest Festival showcase every day – a bakery counter with a wonderful array of signature spelt products, a butcher’s counter with a range of top-quality organic meats including rare breeds from Sharpham Farm and a fine selection of the best local and seasonal organic food products from a 50 mile radius.

It’s just a step, literally and metaphorically, to The Harlequin Organic Café, where you can relax and enjoy a menu inspired by the seasonal and local and produce sold in the shop.  We recommend the famous Sharpham Park 'Speltotto' range of ‘risottos’ made from spelt instead of rice, aptly named by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstal and the White Park burger, from their eponymous cattle.

Add weekly recipe suggestions, tastings, cookery classes and opportunities to meet the producers and Kilver Court is so much more than a food destination, it’s truly a food experience.  Paul Burton, the butcher sums the whole approach “food is not just something to be consumed, responsible and sustainable production is key to the health of the individual, the local economy and the environment”.