Coming June/July 2026
Ashdon Farm Shop
…for meat & cheese …for groceries …for coffee…for cake…for supplies
Near Saffron Walden, Essex
Ian and Tracy Holt, the well-known landlords of the Rose and Crown pub and restaurant, are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of Ashdon Farm Shop. Opening in late June or July at Crown Hill, the project is a collaborative venture alongside their wonderful chefs, Liam and Fran Grime.
This new artisan destination will highlight the team’s culinary expertise with a focus on fresh, locally sourced provenance. The shop will feature a premium range of deli items, including quiches, scotch eggs, pies, and sausage rolls, all handmade by the professional chef team. In addition to these prepared delicacies, the shop has established partnerships with elite local suppliers, such as Priors Hall for fresh meat, complemented by seasonal fruit, vegetables, and dairy products.
The Aim of Ashdon Farm Shop
Community Centred Shopping in Ashdon
Designed to be a community-centric space, the shop will serve local commuters, parents on the school run, and home workers by offering hot drinks, fresh sandwiches, and ice creams. To ensure the shelves truly reflect the needs of the village, direct feedback is currently being gathered via questionnaires distributed to visitors and diners at the Rose and Crown.
The community are also invited to help shape the shop’s offerings and premium opening hours digitally. Local residents, commuters, and visitors can share their feedback by emailing hello@ashdonfarmshop.co.uk or by completing the online questionnaire below
“We are incredibly proud to open this shop, with the talent of our kitchen team sitting right at the heart of our ‘field-to-fork’ mission,” say the management team. “While we cannot accommodate every specific request, we are doing our absolute best to ensure our shelves reflect what the Ashdon community wants to see”.
The physical shop is as sustainable as it is striking, featuring traditional Essex black timber cladding and a full array of solar panels to power operations. This blend of heritage aesthetics and modern environmental responsibility ensures the shop becomes a seamless addition to the Ashdon landscape.
Regular updates on the build and upcoming seasonal promotions are available via the shop’s dedicated Facebook and Instagram pages.