Just off the M5

I don’t do a lot of travel articles, and in recent times travel has been a little sparse which might be a reason this has come about! However, given what came about from my quick dive in to grab some petrol on the way back from Cardiff, I thought it worthy to share this little gem.

Over the years, I’ve driven around the country plenty of times and frequented many roadside services. They have indeed improved considerably for sure but the other week I was in for a surprise.
Just outside of Gloucester there was a sign for services and it said ‘Farm Shop’ which was a change from an M&S. Having pulled in to get some fuel, I was greeted with something more upmarket than I was used to, so I had to investigate and see what was inside.

To my delight, I was greeted with something l wasn’t expecting, an artisan bread table, a range of deli counters and some take away options which were on another level, and this was before actually going into the farm shop.

The wonders didn’t end at the doors. The first thing I came across was a refrigerated display cabinet, contained within were a lot of breakfast packs. 6 sausages, 12 rashers of smoked bacon, and a big slab of Dorra’s award-winning black pudding calling “Buy me for breakfast tomorrow”.

So I did, added some eggs, beans and put it all on some white bloomer and it was glorious. But what about Dorras pud you say?

I can say that I was not disappointed. Texture spot on, nice and moist and a great balanced taste.

Having already felt like victory was mine, I wandered further into this wonderful emporium.
Discovery of an amazing butcher counter with a wide range of rare and well age steaks, on the bone joints and chops that could hospitalise a sumo wrestler if you slapped him with it.

Another deli counter containing pasties, scotch eggs, and hand-made sausage rolls that could block a drain pipe. An amazing cheese selection rounded off with a pretty impressive wine selection. I have tried some of these but the pastries didn’t make it back to the car let alone survive long enough for a picture. Next time I’m there I’ll try harder and put some on Instagram.

So next time you are driving past Gloucester, take a stop here and make sure you bring an appetite. Fuel’s a touch on the pricey side mind you so fill up before hand!