Be a real HEREFOODIE this Christmas! Our Foodie Fairies have put together a bountiful source of Herefordshire’s finest award-winning growers, producers and makers for the essential ingredients to a home grown and made fun-filled festive gathering for friends and family.
Whether you’re after a gift for the gourmet in your life or you want to keep Christmas feasting local, the county is guaranteed to deliver deliciously on every front.
Field Fayre in Ross on Wye
In the heart of Ross-on-Wye, Field Fayre is the little shop which believes that organic is simply the best, and it’s packed full of organic fruit and veg, poultry, beef, pork and lamb, milk, cheese and butter, as well as a wide range of organic groceries including flours, grains, cereals, pasta, soups, herbs and spices, honey, oils and dried fruits. They also stock a great range of organic champagnes, wines and beers, plus coffees and loose teas.
Also catering for other intolerances and allergies, Field Fayre’s groceries range is full of gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food and healthy options, while their health and beauty department stocks the best natural brands and organic toiletries.
You’ll find wonderful confectionery and sweet treat stocking fillers, plus wines and drinks which won’t compromise sensitivities too.
Head to their website to pre-order for Christmas or call in to: Field Fayre, 18-19 Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7EA
Local e Sourced online
Your one-stop shop for ordering all things delicious from Herefordshire, the award-winning Local e Sourced brings together Herefordshire’s independent local businesses and products on a single platform, creating a unique shopping experience.
If you’re keen to keep it local this Christmas there’s no better virtual destination to find everything you need – including hampers packed with gorgeous gourmet goodies ideal for gifting or a selection of essentials.
Black Mountain Roast in Michaelchurch-Escley
To gear you up at the start of the big day or with Christmas dinner over, it’s time for coffee – and what could be nicer, or more delicious, than coffee crafted by coffee-lovers in the foothills of the Black Mountains.
Using a cutting edge roaster Black Mountain Roast create small batches of freshly roasted coffee, ethically sourced from around the world, and only available in places they know and love, and from their online coffee shop, where you’ll also find some super special chocolate bars and cold brew coffee liqueur.
With over 13 blends, find their ranges in local independent retailers or order from them direct online.
Choccotastic in Ledbury
Christmas and chocolate were made for each other, and at Choccotastic they take the festive season very seriously, creating a divinely delicious range of festive themed goodies – think Malteser, Christmas trees, Elf on the Shelf bars, polar bear and penguin lollies and snowflake circles. Another brilliant Choccotastic idea is to have your confection personalised with the recipient’s name on it or a small message to make your gift super-thoughtful.
Look out for the many events and workshops at Choccotastic’s shop and tearooms for festive family fun.
Choccotastic The Homend, Ledbury HR8 1BN
Two Farmers Crisps, Nr Ross on Wye
Over a pint and a packet of crisps one night two Herefordshire farmers – Sean Mason and Mark Green – came up with a plan that would make the most of their award-winning potatoes and a new brand was born. Two Farmers Crisps both revolutionised the snack market with their unique compostable packaging and celebrated the great tastes of Herefordshire using ingredients grown or sourced locally – Hereford Hop Cheese and Onion, Hereford Bullshot, Herefordshire Sausage and Mustard, Woodland Mushroom and Wild Garlic. The perfect accompaniment to festive drinks and parties, you can also get family sized tins of crisps to close up for added freshness… if there are any left.
You’ll find Two Farmers Crisps at retailers around the county (and beyond) or visit their website to order.
Rowlestone Icecream in the Golden Valley
If you’d rather eat ice cream than Christmas pudding (or maybe both together!), look no further than Rowlestone Icecream; real luxury dairy ice cream made on the farm, with Rowlestone Farm’s morning milk used to make that day’s ice-cream … field to freezer in a single day! Nothing artificial, just pure natural ingredients, infused with a variety of flavours from the traditional; chocolate, strawberry or honeycomb to the sumptuously tempting like mascarpone and caramelised pecans or whisky and orange marmalade! Irresistible.
Find Rowlestone Icecream at specialist shops and retail outlets in Herefordshire and the Monmouthshire border area.
Oakchurch Christmas Hampers at Staunton on Wye
Renowned for the quality of their meats, Oakchurch offers a range of three meat hampers for the festive season – choose from the Platinum hamper containing turkey, sausages, bacon, sausage meat, pigs in blankets, large pork pie, festive sausage rolls, sage and onion stuffing and half a roast ham. Gold and silver hampers ensure that there is a choice to suit every budget.
Of course, festive foodie shopping of all kinds at this vast epicurean emporium is a must not just for your meat. While the self-branded ‘the Harrods of Herefordshire’ champions local and artisan products from drinks to deli delights, you’ll find a huge range of fruit and veg, Oakchurch’s own made fresh and frozen dishes perfect to make your Christmas catering easier, and beautifully packaged gourmet gift ideas.
Brecon Road, Staunton on Wye, Hereford HR4 7NH
Heggies of Hereford at Whitecross
Heggies is a multi-generational butchers and has been providing the finest quality meats for over 50 years, taking extra special care when choosing their suppliers so that traceability from farm to table can be assured, making them a must for anyone who cares about the provenance of their food.
For Christmas, Heggies expand their own-made product ranges to include speciality pies, marinated meats and luxury cuts, plus big tubs of homemade coleslaw, potato salad and party salad sides, family quiches, sausage rolls etc all available to order. Throwing a bash? Think ready-sliced succulent meat platters or a hog roast to save you all the hard work of catering your party. Or, for a spot of indulgence on Christmas Eve (or any time!) how about a luxury Wagyu steak. If you can’t make it to the shop, take a trip to the website, where you’ll discover a wealth of options – from a luxury Hereford Beef Hamper to a collection of Heggies own sauces and delicious meat dishes.
4 Yazor Road, Whitecross, Hereford, HR4 0LY T: 01432 273300
Myrtle’s Kitchen at Bishops Frome
No Christmas feast of cold meats would be complete without a choice of chutneys and here in Herefordshire, the award-winning Myrtle’s Kitchen offers a range of delicious accompaniments to complement any meal, including her very special Christmas chutney. With Myrtle’s ranges carried by Selfridges and Liberty, you know you’ll be tasting something extra special to elevate your Christmas cuisine.
Find them in quality local foodie outlets and you can also buy direct online.
Cider Gift Packs
If there’s one thing everyone knows about Herefordshire it is that it’s home to some of the finest ciders in the UK, if not the world. And with a wealth of cider-makers in the county, you’ll be spoilt for choice when you decide to treat someone special to a taste of Herefordshire’s very own nectar.
Ty Gwyn Cider in Pontrilas
Choose from a three-bottle gift pack containing three bottles – either mixed or a single style – or a six-bottle pack containing two of each of Ty Gwyn’s three varieties or six bottles of a single style. There’s also some fun merchandise for real cider fans like T-Shirts, caps and more.
Little Pomona near Bromyard
Little Pomona crafts ciders and perries and other fermented beverages that speak of the land, that taste of the harvest, that illustrate the wonderful cidermaking heritage the region is built on, and that look to the future. Gift ideas include a Box of Rain, a selection made to celebrate Little Pomona having been a finalist in 2022’s BBC Food and Farming Awards. They also do some great books on cider too.
Artistraw near Hay on Wye
Tom and Lydia at Artistraw are passionate about making natural cider (no added sugar, water or sulphites- just apples). This purity has to be good for a reduction in hangovers. Visit their online shop at artistraw.co.uk and treat someone you love to a taste of something distinctively different.
Westons Cider in Much Marcle
One of the bigger producers in the county, makers of the hugely popular Stowford Press, Westons has a rather enticing onsite shop, where you can stock up in bulk for your cidery needs. If you can’t make it there their online shop is stocked not just with cider, but many things cider-related, including four Stowford Press glasses for your own cider-loving friends.
Christmas Spirit Gift Packs
In recent years, Herefordshire has seen a minor explosion of artisan distillers of spirits who have gone on to become big names in the sector. Keep it local this Christmas by letting friends and family in on the secret with a gift from one of them!
Gattertop Drinks at Ivington
Understanding British luxury is Gattertop’s speciality, and they are the proud producer of two multi-award-winning British vodkas, Damson No 12 and Botanic No 7 the current holder of the title of England’s highest scoring vodka, so what would make a more fabulous stocking filler than a mini vodka gift set? Head to Gattertopdrinks.com, where you’ll also discover a delicious choice of hampers, all including Gattertop Drinks, of course! Quality retailers or buy direct.
Black Mountains Botanicals in the Black Mountains
Developed in the shadows of the Black Mountains by Glyn Bufton and Lloyd Reed, BMB are producers of award-winning gins that range from silky smooth cuts to fruity Herefordshire apple blends. Give a gin-loving friend a selection of miniatures from their online shop – choose from a box of three, or, if you’re feeling generous, a box of eight will let them taste all four Black Mountains Botanicals gins twice over! We also love their toffee apple liqueur, which adds a delicious lift to mulled cider. Quality retailers or buy direct.
Silver Circle Distillery at Catbrook
Makers of the award-winning Wye Valley Gin, inspired by the enchanting woodland walks and spectacular views of the Wye Valley and handcrafted using botanicals that grow wild in the region. Spirit-lovers will be intrigued by their Small Batch Series gift box, which includes Catbrook Honey Gin and Black Garlic Vodka. Quality retailers or buy direct.
White Heron Drinks at Lyonshall
You’ll be spoilt for choice at White Heron, with gifts ranging from a cocktail mixer set to a trio set of British Cassis and stablemate Whittern Gin, and of course a special gift box featuring the delicious and much-loved British Cassis and the fabulous Framboise raspberry liqueur.
Quality retailers or buy direct.
Wardingtons Original, makers of Ludlow Gin
The perfect gift for the spirit lover in your life, the beautiful Wardington’s Original Gift Set contains a 70cl bottle of your choice and two Allegra Glasses. Choose from Wardingtons’ eight Ludlow Dry Gins (Ludlow Navy Strength Gin not included), three Ludlow Vodkas or two Ludlow Rums (Ludlow Navy Strength Rum not included).
Look out too for their brand new single malt Whisky including a distiller’s cut edition.
Quality retailers or buy direct.
Penrhos Spirits near Kington
The award-winning Penrhos Spirits was started by Richard Williams and Charles Turner, a pair of entrepreneurial farmers who have applied a bit of magic to the produce they grow to create a range of spirits with heart, from their first-born handcrafted gin to their honey spiced rum. Visit Penrhos Spirits online for some tempting gift inspiration, including the Penrhos Miniature Gin gift set and a Penrhos virtual gift card.
Gun Dog Gin
Producers of small-batch, hand-crafted gin liqueurs using fruit locally grown in Herefordshire, blended with British gin.
A gift set of three Gun Dog miniatures offers an irresistible taste of their smooth and aromatic gin liqueurs. The challenge will be choosing which three flavours to include – raspberry, rhubarb, damson, blackcurrant or quince!
For more great places to Shop, Eat, Visit or Enjoy this festive season check out our big Christmas page.