What started out as a few crates of produce sold at the farm gate has come and long long way and Peterley is barely recognisable from the derelict poultry farm it was in the 80s when the Brills took it on and started selling their home-grown veg.

It now boasts a gorgeous (and Muddy Award winning) café, a nursery, pick-your-own and one of the region’s best-stocked farm shops, making it something of a destination for catching up and stocking up.

First up, there’s The Barn Kitchen in the converted tractor barn. Gone are the oil drums and pallets, and instead it’s come over all rustic/chic with distressed leather sofas, salvaged wood and metal mixing with statement tiles and cushions (who needs Burford!). When it comes to the menu, you can cast any garden centre café cliches right out of your head because this place is all about elevated small plates and seasonal mains that’ll have your mouth watering even before it arrives – slow-cooked Amersham lamb shoulder with house preserved lemon yoghurt or Chiltern Chorizo and fennel Scotch Egg with saffron aioli anyone? The provenance is the key to the flavour – meat is sourced within 15 miles of the farm, and the Barn is now working with Bucks Fish to source the most sustainable, British landed fish. The secret to the creamy coffees is Guernsey milk from Laceys Family Farm, meanwhile if it’s cheese that you fancy, you’ll be tucking into the produce of Nettlebed Creamery, Marlow Cheese Company and Norton and Yarrow.

The Barn Kitchen also offers breakfast, from pancakes stacks to superfood granola, and a seriously good afternoon tea (the cakes are out of this world). A recent development has been the launch of Friday night small plates evenings taking British produce and serving it tapas style (think whole baked Bix cheese or hot smoke Chalkstream trout with horseradish labneh) alongside cocktails, wine and beer (food served 5pm-9pm, bar closes 10.30pm). You can eat indoors or take your meal in the dreamy gravelled courtyard with feature fire pit. Dogs are welcome inside or out. Want to know more? Read our review here.

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 farm itself), you can buy local ciders, ales and artisan wines, dairy and baked goods, and a huge selection from the freezer including home-cooked dishes of varying sizes (aka the ultimate dinner party shortcut). Look out for the homemade macarons on the counter in a rainbow of pastel shades – perfect for a gift or a little afternoon pick-me-up. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the website for the ultimate in fresh and seasonal food, the pick-your-own, including pumpkins, strawberries, various currants, plums and gooseberries.

Next door there’s a decent size 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 up to the rafters 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 becoming a major seasonal highlight, with the most gorgeous selection of unusual, artisan and locally made gifts. It’s part of a packed events calendar down at Peterley now including various supper clubs with guest chefs and speakers, workshops like wreath making, nature journalling and cocktail making, plus a popular Father’s Day event and regular bootcamps. It’s also possible to book various spaces for private events and enjoy the expertise and incredible cooking of the team at Peterley for your own little shindig.

Opening hours: Monday – closed; Tuesday to Saturday 8.30am – 5pm; Sunday 10am – 4pm (café opens at 9am)