Apley Farm Shop

Shropshire’s rippling hills pass through the beautiful Apley Estate – set in gorgeous countryside bisected by the upper reaches of the Severn. It’s not far from the M54 at Telford so a perfect border stop-off on your journey between England and Wales. At the pint-sized Apley Shopping Village old farm buildings arranged around a square courtyard have been returned to use for the farm shop, deli and café, alongside a handful of local businesses. They hum with life from passing visitors dropping in to pick up groceries or have a quick bite. Trestle tables in the shop sag beneath the weight of tasty produce from nearby farms.

The café is housed in the old creamery, where the award-winning Apley cheese was once made. Chefs draw some of the ingredients from the walled garden (returned to service in 2013) and the wider estate. Tasty tarts, freshly baked cakes, unsparing sandwiches, delicious afternoon teas and seasonal soups are served; the roasts on Sunday come highly recommended. The whole family can enjoy Pigg’s Playbarn where little ones can let off steam in the soft play area, and there's also a dog park, meet-the-animals opportunity and nature trail.