Address: Peachcroft Farm, Twelve Acre Dr, Abingdon, OX14 2HP

Telephone number: 01235 535 978

Website: http://www.wellsstores.co.uk/

Date of visit: 21 July 2011

Opening time: 9 – 5

Summary:

Wells used to be the cheese shop (80s) in The Thames Valley when it was owned by Patrick Rance. Patrick wrote a book on French cheeses and was considered by many to be one of the most knowledgeable people in the game. It was nearly 2 inches thick, full of wonderful descriptions but not a single photograph. It used to be my “bible” on French Cheeses until Dorling Kindersley came along and started putting wonderful colour pictures into books.

Patrick passed away over 20 years ago and his son moved the business onto Abingdon. The business is now owned by Gill Draycott and is housed in the Peachcroft farm (much better for parking) just outside Abingdon. Gill was an employee in Wells Stores before she bought the business.

I have long heard good stories about the place.

The store has a vegetable section on the outside with some fantastic looking vegetables – onions with the green tops etc.

Inside are a few counters and a tea room. One counter is devoted to British cheeses and another devoted to mainly French cheeses. They also sell bread and quiches – these look remarkably like the ones that The Old Farmhouse Bakery make.

On the day I went, Gill was there. I wanted some Mrs Appleby but she actually advised against it and got me some Cheshire instead as Mrs Appleby wasn’t 100% right. I had a brief chat and she obviously knows her subject as she has been in the trade for over 20 years.

The selection here is not ridiculously huge but still pretty extensive and everything she sells is in peak condition and comes from a decent supplier.

If you are in the area, I recommend this place to shop for your cheeses.

E

Location |: Great Knollys St, Reading RG1 

Date visited: 7 November 2009

The Thames Valley Farmers Market comes to Reading on the “first” and third” saturday of every month. Its open from 8.30 to 12.30. Go early as by 11am, the stocks are getting low.

The stalls are sited in the old abatoir complex near Reading Station.

On the wholse, its a smallish market with around 20 stalls, selling organic meat, organic vegetables, cheese & butter, eggs, cakes, jams, pies, bread, beer, apple juice and fresh water fish (mainly trout) both fresh and smoked.

The vegetables come from Ogg Valley Organic Farm. They sell the main type of vegetables in season. For more exortic vegetables (especially foreign ethnic ones, try Reading Market in the Butts (behind West St Mall, tue-sat).

Meat comes from Dews Meadow Farm, Flexmore Farm etc. You can get faggots and mutton as well as cuts of pork and beef. There are also various types of award winning sausages and bacons However, all the meats are “pre-packed” and its on the small side e.g. half a shoulder – unless you pre-ordered, you can’t buy half a sheep.

The breads come from the Old Farmhouse Bakery – various types of exortic breads that you can’t get in the supermarket as well as the basic bloomer etc.

I personally like the pie shop and the smoke trouts (Brookleas Fish Farm). Smoke trout are around £2.50 plus for a whole small fish. The cheese is also very good (strong) but is confined to cheddar and blue with one or two mix (e.g. cheddar and chilli) cheese.

Ascot Ales usually have a stand selling various types of beers at less than £2 per pint. I like the 5 litre tins. You can taste before you buy.

Eddie