The Toffiest of Toffness: Daylesford

The Toffiest of Toffness: Daylesford Reading Time: 5 minutes

Having returned from my first term as an impoverished student, I have been enjoying all the indulgences and luxuries of home and family life. My sleeping pattern appears to finally be returning to normality and my diet is becoming significantly naughtier (as a kind result of Mother Renk!)

Outside

In addition to the wonderful R&R, I have boldly ventured to one of the toffiest of all places; the antithesis of my usual student haunts: Daylesford Organic Farm Shop and Bamford Spa in Gloucestershire. This is the kind of place one goes if one is simply ‘toff’ with no ‘common’ preceding it, the kind of place one must wear a wide rimmed hat in order to fit in with the typical demographic… and so we did.

3 hats

 

Saying all this, I am by no means intending to give this beautiful and serene location any kind of bad press. If you can look past the price tags and the overtly-toffy clientèle, Daylesford has a magic atmosphere that makes you feel truly special. Surrounded by pale greys, creams and Cotswold stone, the aromatic smells of the fire pit and stone baked pizza oven, the gorgeous fresh flowers and the calm serenity of its employees, you can’t help but be transported gently into a more idyllic world.

Front door

It was even pretty in the rain!

Fire pit

Though the fire pit could have been livelier.

pizzas

These beautiful pizzas were cooked outside in a traditional stone oven.

Roses

Daylesford started out as an organic, sustainable, family farm in Gloucestershire 35 years ago. Since then the Bamfords have shared their passion with the Cotswold public through their gorgeous Organic Farmshop.

Interior

On offer are a beautiful array of vegetables, a vast range of fresh meats.

Fruit

There is also the smelliest of smelly cheeses (fortunately living in their own little room… impossible to enter unless equipped with a clothes peg).

Cheese room

There is also an area dedicated to domestic and household items as well as other locally sourced brands and products. Everything is organic.

Shelving

Daylesford, unlike other diversifying farms, has not ceased its developments at a shop, oh no… this setting now offers a delicious cafe offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, supper and endlesss cakes and drinks. On top of this, the Bramfords have expanded in partnerships with other local companies, in turn becoming home to a florists, clothing shop and spa. With such a range to offer, it is possible to spend the whole day at Daylesford. And if one day just isn’t enough, they now also provide overnight accommodation in their neighbouring, quaint Cotswold cottages.

tart

We opted for a home-made tart with salad…

eggs benedict

…and the ‘Super Greens’ eggs Benedict… Oh so Made in Chelsea.

cake

Finishing off with a ‘Chocolate Nemesis’ with vanilla crème fraîche for pudding… plus a birthday candle!

Caviar crisps

Having visited on Monday, I was able to browse their seasonal ‘Christmas Shop’ selling such items as caviar crisps… bizarre anywhere else but here.

christmas shop

I also discovered their recent development of a cookery school offering a number of exciting and varied courses and working with their own organic produce.

Cookery school

This makes the perfect gift for a lucky friend or relative, or even a naughty (but ooh so nice… and of course, rewarding) treat for yourself!

Course vouchers

The very fact that Daylesford farmshop offers delivery through Ocado illustrates quite succinctly the level of posh we are talking about… but also the level of luxury. Every now and then a common toff needs to allow the toff half to take over, and I can recommend no better place to facilitate such a moment. Even as a student who quite simply cannot afford the spa, clothes, food etc here, I enjoy simply absorbing the atmosphere. Furthermore, the cafe/restaurant is hardly unreasonable in price and makes for a lovely destination for lunch out with the girls!

Deli counter

Christmas is a truly gorgeous time to visit, with the Christmas shop, trees and festive tuc tucs adorning the already beautiful Cotswold setting… but summer is equally charming!

Tuctuc

Toffy tuc tuc with eyelashes!

Outdoor seating

If you live too far away and the price of staying for a minimum of three nights seems just a little too excessive, then don’t panic yet! It may well be that Daylesford have opened a smaller branch nearer to you!

Turkey

Currently their locations include: Kingham, Gloucestershire (this one); Notting Hill, W11; Pimlico, SW1; Marylebone, W1; and Selfridges Food Hall in London.

I’m just going to leave some Christmassy, toffy products here:

Christmas pudding

Christmas pudding dressed in silver.

Gingerbread houses

Gorgeous gingerbread houses.

Mince Pies

Dainty mince pies.

Wine bottles

HUGE rosé bottles…

Cheese and Wine

…with cheese, obviously.

Wall decorations

Super pretty Christmas decorations.

Heart plates

Hearts galore.

flower shop

Florists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a lovely Christmas!x