Oswestry - Young's Farm Shop

My wife recently had her hip replaced, at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital which is near Oswestry.  I can't speak too highly of that hospital, and was delighted to find virtually next door was Derwen College which was founded by Dame Agnes Hunt, the remarkable nurse who started the hospital.  Derwen College works with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, and does a superb job.

Young's Farm Shop is part of the college, and sells home-grown and home-produced chutneys, jams made by the students with fruit and vegetables grown by the students: 

Their Raspberry Jam and Spiced Apple Chutney, made in the Food Centre next door, have both won Great Taste Awards.

There are also cakes, breads and pastries, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables from their own market garden.  When I called I was able to buy some lovely Victoria plums:

and it looks like they will have a good crop of apples and pears:

They also sell other foods from local producers nearby, like meat from Jamie Wards Butchers. There's also stock a Free From range - which includes dairy free, gluten free and sugar free products. 

While you are visiting Young’s Farm Shop, I'd strongly recommend you also visit the visit the Garden Centre:

 where the students also work.

There's a good selection of interesting and reasonably priced plants

and lots of wild flowers

and some nice cards and gifts. Next to that is the walled garden:

Which was calm and beautiful

I spent a happy time here counting different butterflies.

Opposite the walled garden is the Garden Cafe 

where I had a delicious, and very reasonably priced, quiche and salad:

Next time I visit, and there's definitely going to be next time, we'll book a table in the Orangery restaurant, which my wife tells me is also wonderful:

If you've come by train, it's just a mile from Gobowen Station (and there's a bus service if you can't manage the walk).  The students run the cafe at this station (check the hours as it's not open all day) and the toilets look amazing (see here).

This place ticks all the boxes for me.  It's in a beautiful setting and any purchases that you may make will help this very special college to become even better.

Since writing this post the farm shop featured in this post has sadly closed. However you can still get the jams and pickles in the garden centre. 

Young's Farm Shop
Derwen College
Whittington Road
Oswestry
Shropshire 
SY11 3JA

Tel: 01691 661234

Web: www.derwen.ac.uk/visit