| 'Hi just a short email to say thank you very much for a super evening spent at River Cottage Canteen. We spent a lovely weekend at Lyme Regis and could not resist taking the opportunity to visit the canteen in Axminster, what a fabulous evening it was. The food first class, the atmosphere fantastic and the staff delightful. Can’t wait to go back. All the family up and down the country have been informed so look out!!!!!!!!!!!!' CC. (14th June 2008) |
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*Cheese of the Month - JULY*
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For our second cheese of the month we are showcasing Sharpham Dairy's "Sharpham".
Starting in 1981 the 18th century coachyard of Sharpham House was home to their creamery where their range of hand made cheeses were produced. Using the rich milk from their organically farmed Jersey cattle and vegetarian rennet, their unpasteurised cheeses have been so well received that demand now far exceeds supply.
In April 2003 they moved into their new purpose-built creamery sited next to the winery. The building is modern and bigger, however the team still employ the same traditional techniques and the cheeses will remain fully hand-produced and free of GM ingredients. Visitors are able to view the process through windows as part of your visit.
'Sharpham' is a Coulommiers type Cheese which has been hand-made in the Creamery to their own recipe since 1980. Salt, starters cultures and vegetarian rennet are the only additions to fresh Jersey milk. 'Sharpham' is a mould ripened cheese with a unique flavour and creamy texture. Available in 1kg rounds, 500g rounds and 250g squares.
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Where to Find Us
Our Local Produce Store and Canteen is located in the centre of Axminster, Devon, on Trinity Square (click here for a map):
River Cottage Stores Ltd
Trinity Square
Axminster
Devon
EX13 5AN
Telephone: 01297 631862
For regular bus services from Lyme Regis to the centre of Axminster, please click here.
Local Produce Store
The River Cottage Local Produce Store and Canteen was opened in the Autumn of 2007 and already the response has been fantastic. Located in the centre of Axminster on Trinity Square, Hugh and his team at River Cottage have set up the store as a real alternative to the supermarket stocking a wide selection of every day food items including milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fruit and vegetables as well as range of books and smallholder supplies plus a specially chosen British wine, beers and spirits list. Virtually all of the produce has been sourced locally by Hugh and his team, from some of the very best South West producers , who regularly attend our weekly tastings at the store. There is also a regular programme of events throughout the year which focus on and celebrate the produce available at the store and general seasonality.
Canteen
The canteen also showcases the very best of what the South West has to offer and what is in season - therefore we change our menus every day. We serve such delights as hot bacon rolls with River Cottage's own bacon and locally cured smoked salmon for breakfast with fresh Rain Forest Alliance coffee. Lunch could feature fresh mackerel caught from Lyme Bay with a citrus salsa or River Cottage sausages with buttery mash, local greens, and a cider and mustard sauce. If that isn't enough to satisfy you we also serve a stunning range of wickedly delicious cakes and cream teas.
The Canteen is also open three evenings a week for dinner and for Sunday lunch. Dishes might include five-hour roasted organic pork belly served with parsnip and potato gratin and a green herb and lemon sauce. Alternatively you could choose whole roasted lemon sole with minted Jersey potatoes and dressed leaves with caper butter. There is always a vegetarian option available; see below for opening hours, and click here to see a range of sample menus.
Evening and Sunday reservations are recommended, please call 01297 631 862. Please note we do not take bookings at other times.
NEW for the Summer...
Every Wednesday evening (and from 8th July on Tuesday too) we are offering a main course and glass of wine for just £10.
Select a main dish from our seasonal, local menu & enjoy it with a glass of English house red or white wine.
Booking is recommended
Tel: 01297 631862
Wednesday opening hours 6.00pm – 9.30pm
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Store Opening Hours
| Monday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Wednesday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Thursday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Friday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Saturday |
8.30am - 5pm |
| Sunday |
10.30am - 4.30pm |
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Canteen Opening Hours
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Afternoon Tea
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Dinner
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| Monday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 5pm |
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| Tuesday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 6pm |
6pm - 9.30pm* |
| Wednesday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 6pm |
6pm - 9.30pm |
| Thursday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 6pm |
6pm - 9.30pm |
| Friday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 6pm |
6pm - 9.30pm |
| Saturday |
9am - 12noon |
Noon - 3pm |
3pm - 6pm |
6pm - 9.30pm |
| Sunday |
10.30am - 11.30 am |
Noon - 2pm |
2.30pm - 3.30pm |
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*As of Tuesday 8th July, the Canteen will be open for dinner.
What’s on
For further information on events and timings, contact us on 01297 631 715, or email us at axminsterstore@rivercottage.net .
Seasonal Events
We will be running a few seasonal events in the Store and Canteen. In the summer holidays we plan to run events just for children so look out for details in Store and on our website.
Be kept informed
If you would like to be kept informed about events happening at the River Cottage Store and Canteen click here
Meet our producers
Each week we invite our suppliers to come into the store to talk customers about their products.
| Thursday 3rd July |
Luscombe Organic Drinks |
Makers of organic fruit drinks and cider |
| Thursday 10th July |
Godminster Farm |
Producers of vintage cheese |
| Friday 11th July |
Sharpham Dairy |
Makers of English cheese and our cheese of the month |
| Saturday 12th July |
Trealy Farm |
Charcuterie from Monmouthshire |
| Thursday 24th July |
West Hill Farm Dairy |
Organic dairy farm based in North Devon |
Cheese of the month
To celebrate our wonderful West Country cheese counter we will have a 'cheese of the month' available for you to try.
Sharpham Dairy's "Sharpham" is July's cheese. Sharpham Dairy will be in the store on Friday 11th July from 10.00am - 3.00pm.
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STORE NEWS
Daily Mail Taste Test winners!
The "resounding winner" of a recent Daily Mail chicken taste test was a bird bought from our very own Local Produce Store. To read more, click here.
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Visitor feedback
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We visited the Canteen for lunch last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The food was as fabulous as we had anticipated! However, what I had not expected was how amazing the salad garnishing the dishes tasted. I can honestly say that it was the best salad I have ever eaten. Thank you for all your hard work to educate us about real food; I now realise that the bland leaves we normally buy from the supermarket which masquerades as salad is not the real thing. The experience has really opened my eyes and I will be hunting down real salad from now on.
It goes without saying that we also really loved the scones with clotted cream and jam. My two year old managed to eat a surprising amount despite being a small person, leaving Mummy and Daddy somewhat disappointed that they hadn’t ordered more.
We are definitely coming back the next time we escape from London to the West Country! SA (29th June 2008)
Just to compliment you on an excellent establishment that my partner and I really enjoyed visiting. From Hugh F-W downwards, you are all doing a fantastic job to promote locally sourced products and animal welfare. Well done. JO Shrewsbury (29th June 2008)
'Many thanks for a brilliant meal last night..........very nice welcome right through to excellent coffee............a lovely experience. Look forward to returning. PS Yes please to a veggie evening' PW (7th June 2008)
'This was a semi-religious experience for me. And it was absolutely delicious. I recommend the eccles cake and cheese' Rob (3rd June 2008)
‘Just wanted to say thank you for the best cream tea we have ever had. (And we have sampled many!) On rainy bank holiday Monday we decided to leave our tents in Charmouth to come and find you in Axminster. As a great fan of your series and your books this was an ambition fulfilled for me. I loved the feeling in the Canteen and when I saw the size of the scones I knew I was at home! Everything about our cream tea was absolutely delicious including the coffee. Thank you and very best wishes - Jan.’ (2nd June 2008)
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Have you visited the Store and Canteen? Please let us know what you think - we welcome your comments and feedback. To contact us, please email axminsterstore@rivercottage.net.
Jobs
For details of the latest vacancies at the Local Produce Store and Canteen, visit the River Cottage jobs page
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