What started out as a few crates of home-grown veg sold at the farm gate has come a long, long way. Peterley Manor Farm is barely recognisable from the derelict poultry farm it was in the 80s. It now boasts a gorgeous (and Muddy Award winning) café, a nursery, pick-your-own, one of the region’s best-stocked farm shops, a wild spa and fitness classes, making it something of a destination for catching up and stocking up. It’s so good, even Kate Middleton is a fan.

Sashay over to The Barn Kitchen in the converted tractor barn. Gone are the oil drums and pallets. Instead, it’s a rustic chic hideaway with distressed leather sofas, salvaged wood, statement tiles, and cushions (who needs Burford!) When it comes to the menu, cast away any garden centre café cliches because this place is all about elevated small plates and seasonal mains that’ll have your mouth watering.

The provenance is the key to the flavour – meat is sourced within 15 miles of the farm and the milk and cheese couldn’t get more local. There’s a main menu with sarnies, burgers, and brunch, and on Friday evenings, the place opens until 10.30pm for posh nosh burgers and tapas bites alongside cocktails, wine and beer. Don’t miss their brilliant afternoon tea either, including options for littlies. Dogs are welcome inside or out.

The farm shop itself has been greatly expanded in recent years, so alongside the usual fresh meat and fish, plus fruit and veg (some of it grown at the 40-acre farm itself), you can buy local ciders, ales and artisan wines, dairy and baked goods, and a huge selection from the freezer. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the website for their seasonal pick-your-own, including pumpkins, strawberries, various currants, plums and gooseberries.

Next door, there’s a decent sized plant nursery for all your bedding, perennial, tubs and hanging basket needs – we especially love their brightly coloured ceramic pots – as well as compost, gravel and landscaping bits. Drop by in December and the place is like the North Pole with Christmas trees, wreaths, holly and mistletoe. There’s also a shabby chic greenhouse with little home and garden gifts like pots, house plants, zinc planters and the like.

Speaking of Christmas, Peterley’s festive market is a major seasonal highlight, with the most gorgeous selection of unusual artisan and locally made gifts. It’s part of a packed events calendar, now including supper clubs with guest chefs and speakers, workshops like wreath making, cocktail making, and regular bootcamps, plus there’s a newly opened children’s nursery too. It’s also possible to book spaces for private events and enjoy Peterley’s incredible cooking for your own little shindig.