touch & taste & savour
Directory of Local Producers
Local Wines and Fruit Juices
Ringden Farm, Hurst Green
Producers of award-winning apple juices.
Since 1949, orchards have been cultivated on Ringden Farm, located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the Kent / Sussex border.
Ringden Farm Apple Juice was set up by Chris and Lesley Dench in 1990 using fruit from their orchards after a violent hailstorm marked the crop. They now produce a range of over 20 award-winning single variety apple juices.
The use of traditional pressing methods and slow pasteurisation preserves the real flavour of English apples.
Battle Wine Estate, Whatlington
Battle Wine Estate is located at Leeford Vineyards, not much further than an arrow's flight from Battle and its historic abbey, this New Zealand trained winemaker produces a stunning range of both red and white wines of a consistently high quality.
This includes the "Saxon" range, available nationwide, and the "Reserve" range. In 2002, the Company expanded its range to include versatile fruit liqueurs.
The vineyard is now only open to visitors by appointment. The full range of wines is available from "The Food Rooms" in Battle High Street, by mail-order, and on the internet.
Beers
Rother Valley Brewing Company, Northiam 01797 252922
Brewing started in June 1993 using the 5 barrel brewplant formerly at Mr Cherry's Brewpub in St Leonards on sea. Only hops grown on the nearby hop farm are used.
FILO Pub and Brewery
FILO 14/15 High Street, Hastings
The building which houses the FILO (First In Last Out) dates back to the 1500s. The name originates from it being the first and last stopping off place for horse and carriages for refreshment on arrival in and departure from the town.
Cider
Battle Cider
www.battlecider.com
See also:
Norman Hunt and Son, Sedlescombe – 01424 871102
Mayfield Cider, Mayfield – sales@mayfieldcider.co.uk - 01435 873873
Oakwood Farm, Robertsbridge – organic cider 01580 830 893
Sedlescombe Vineyard – www.englishorganicwine.co.uk
Traditional Sussex Cheese
Traditional Cheese Dairy
The Old Factory Buildings
Stonegate
East Sussex
TN5 7DU
Tel. 01580 201610
Fax : 01580 201530
Hand made vegetarian, sheep, goat and cows milk cheeses. Julie and Cliff’s cheeses can be found in Waitrose.
Northiam Dairy
Gate Court,
Northiam,
Near Rye,
East Sussex
TN31 6QT
Tel: 01797 252445
Run by fourth generation farmer, Rupert Cyster. His land has been organic for five years and the herd was certified organic in 2004.The farm produces a range of fresh and cultured dairy products, including milk, cream, yoghurts and crème fraiche. Most of the milk is from the farm’s herd although milk is sometimes bought from other local farmers.
Holly Park Organics
North Lane
Guestling Thorn
Hastings
East Sussex
TN35 4LX
01424 625805
Organic goats' produce, eggs and vegetables/salads.
Meat
Wealden Farmers Network
Homestead Farm,
Netherfield
Tel: 01424 838252
Meat, poultry and game from a selection of Wealden farms.
The network is four Sussex farms who have pooled their resources to achieve a network of advice, land, animals, machinery and feed production that benefits each holding.
www.wealdenfarmers.co.uk
Wickham Manor Farm
Wickham Rock Lane
Winchelsea
East Sussex
TN36 4AG
Tel/Fax +44 (0)1797 226216
Wickham Manor is an historic property built in the 16th century and now owned by the National Trust. It is the family home of Sally and Mason Palmer and the centre of their 750 acre organic farm, which surrounds the historic town of Winchelsea.
Lamb, Beef and Pork cuts are produced from Wickham Manor Organic Farm plus home shot game. Sausages are also produced with little or no preservatives, using local vegetables and spices. Home produced organic meals are also available.
www.wickhammanor.co.uk
Smoked Food
Weald Smokery
Mount Farm, Flimwell
Traditional Food Smokery & Retail Shop
Tel: +44 (0) 01580 879601
A showcase for local produce from Sussex and Kent, The Weald Smokery is one of a handful of traditional smokeries remaining in the UK. They use traditional brick kilns smoking over open oak log fires. You can buy from the retail shop on site.
www.wealdsmokery.co.uk
Bakers
Judges Bakery
51 High St
Old Town, Hastings
TN34 3EN
Tel: 01424 722588
Open Monday – Sat, 8.15 – 19.00, Sunday 10.00 – 17.00
It’s been a bakery since 1826 and baker Emmanuel Hadjiandreou is the latest addition to the baking team which has taken up the challenge set by Jo Fairley and Craig Sams (the founders of Green & Black's chocolate and described by the Observer as “Britain's coolest organic couple”). His sourdough bread last September won the Soil Association Organic Food Award.
www.judgesbakery.com
Bexhill Farm Kitchen
16a Western Road
Bexhill on Sea
East Sussex
TN40 1DX
Tel: 01424 215 470
email info@farmkitchen.co.uk
The Bexhill Farm Kitchen transforms from a Monday to Friday traditional bakery into a Saturday speciality bakery.
Preserves
Sussex Farmhouse
The Old Forge
Moor Lane
Westfield
Tel: 01424 754101
Fax: 01424 754101
Traditional handmade chutneys, pickles, jams and cakes - All handmade in the traditional way, using local fruit and vegetables when in season.
Pick Your Own
Sharnfold Farm
Hailsham Road, Stone Cross
Pevensey
E Sussex
BN24 5BU
Tel. No: 01323 768490
Fax . No: 01323 768490
www.stone-cross-nurseries.co.uk
Email: sharnfold@stone-cross-nurseries.co.uk
Sharnfold Farm is part of the long established Stone Cross Nurseries family partnership. The Farm wasdeveloped in 1983 as a specialist P.Y.O farm to provide the freshest and tastiest crops.
The Farm shop offers many other fruit and vegetables, local and English produce is stocked as a priority, fresh bread and local produce, flowers (from sweet peas to sunflowers) in season with local giftware and cards.