Blackwells Farm Produce & Farm Shop - Colchester

David

The meat from their butchers is amazing, we bought a few bits and it was all very good. The black garlic marinated beef kebabs were fantastic on the BBQ, highly recommended.
The rest of the counter looked high quality and fresh. Lots of local produce in the shop as well and it's kept very neat. Typical farm shop prices for the area, a bit higher than some of the farm butchers counters.

There is a big sign in the shop advertising hot drinks, cakes and baguettes. However coffee comes out of an auto machine and there was nowhere outside to sit. Sure they could mow some grass next to the parking spaces for a couple of benches. The cakes were great when we got them home.

Paul Drew

I first started using Blackwells at the start of the pandemic, as we hoped to support more local businesses. And we were not disappointed, and have continued to use them ever since, even ordering our Christmas meats and many treats from them.

The shop itself is usually really well stocked, especially considering its size.
You're obviously getting food produce here though, and not your monthly shop.

The produce itself is amazing, and my biggest problem is not just buying things that I don't need, just because they're obviously so good.

You'll find a moderate range of prepacked meats, fish and cheeses in the aisles if you're not in the need for the butcher/deli counter. But that's prepacked (generally) from the farm or other small business, and I can recommend everything I've had.

The vegetable sections is pretty varied too, with enough there to fill your bags or inspire an meal.

Then of course, the meat and cheese counter. If you don't go in with a specific idea of what you want, you'll be in trouble. Because it all looks, and is, so good. From sausages, bacon and steaks - to prepared BBQ skewers.
Then a great selection of cheeses which will just leave you wanting to buy more crackers.

The staff have always been friendly and helpful when I've been there. Offering a bit of advice occasionally or just, quite simply, being pleasant.

I'd thoroughly recommend using Blackwells, though get your online order (you can still order a smaller range of goods online) in early for Christmas!

Mark Jeggo

Always great quality meats, great friendly service and advice. The pre-made meals are also a delight, including their cakes, sausage rolls and scotch eggs.

Teide

Completed the lamb butchery course today run by Glen. Thoroughly enjoyed it and glen was a superb teacher. Price of the course was I believe very reasonable at £150 and you get a half of high quality lamb you personally butchered included alongwith an apron. Highly recommended and will be back for another course.

ll

They don't give a stuff!

I invested £42 for a large 'rare breed' chicken for a special family meal. What turned up was a piece of drying out poultry with half a breast missing. I sent photographs of the offensive beast to the company and was promised a refund. It never arrived and subsequent email requests were ignored. I got the impression they could not care less about quality control or customer care.

Rickey Costas

My experience over the past 3 years of shopping here has been overwhelmingly positive. Two regular highlights for me are the prepared pies and the beer cured bacon.
The highlight of this farm shop is the butcher's counter. Always friendly knowledgeable staff. If you can't see what you want in the (extensive) counter display, you can describe it and they will prepare it for you. Yes it's expensive, but this is locally prepared rare breed meat. If you want cheap hurried food this place is not for you.
The selection of veg and other staples (beer, cheese, frozen pastries) is also top quality local produce, however I get mine from a local (Thursday) market so haven't needed to buy here.
It's almost impossible to leave without a hot sausage roll!

Dawn Thomas

Went to the tasting weekend. Lovely meat, will be getting our meat for Christmas here this year.

Brendan Clark

A bottle of Malbec, honey, steak and ale pie, free range chicken, rare breed pork shoulder, apple pie, fruit and veg from Blackwell’s farm shop near Coggeshall, Essex. They say the proof is in the pudding and that’s so true.

We’ve just dined on the steak and ale pie with vegetables, the red wine, followed by the apple pie with cream. An experience to relish again, as it was so delicious and appetising, the best pies we’ve ever dined on. With food like this - wholesome, healthy, and full of many delicious flavours - we’ll be returning to Blackwell’s again, and pass by the supermarket.