With Christmas almost upon us, we’re all thinking about gifts for friends and family – and some of the most practical and thoughtful options come straight from our local farming community. As many farmers diversify with creative new income streams to offset the soaring cost of animal feed (which has more than trebled), there’s never been a better time to support them. From homegrown produce to handmade goods, check out our tips for wonderful Dorset-made gifts that give back to the land they came from.
Images: Rachael Rowe
Meet the Hairy Coos
Give an encounter with a hairy coo – who could resist? The hair, the horns, those doleful eyes … Cameron Farquarson’s Highland cattle in Piddletrenthide are a joy to meet (and the breed is generally very docile). Your recipient will not only get to spend time with the highly photogenic coos, but stroke them, cuddle the smaller ones and even brush them.
However, you’ll also learn about this heritage breed, why they are known as a fold and not a herd, and their connections to Robert the Bruce. Cameron also talks about why cows behave in the way they do – and like most people, once you have met the coos you won’t want to leave.
All visits must be booked. Details for gift vouchers for the Highland Cow Experience (£30) are on the website.
redlandscoppice.co.uk
Never say no to cheese
Cheese is always welcome during the festive season, and unusual varieties are in demand on cheese boards. It’s easy to stock up in person on Dorset Blue Vinny from their vending machine on Woodbridge Farm near Sturminster Newton, but head to the website to find some very tempting cheese boxes and hampers too.
Book and Bucket Cheese, from Cranborne Chase, has cheese hampers which make perfect gifts – we can personally recommend ‘The Present’ selection!
Dorset Blue Vinny
Book and Bucket Cheese Company
Get knitting with Dorset Down Wool
Winter nights are perfect for a bit of knitting beside the fire. Gutchpool Farm near Gillingham makes the most of the 70-strong flock of Dorset Down sheep, offering a range of knitting kits and wool. Choose from a handwarmer, beanie or child’s gansey (fisherman’s sweater) kit as a gift, or simply select some of the balls of wool for a knitter’s dream gift. You can buy online or pop into the farm shop, where you’ll also find sheepskins. There are also gift vouchers. Balls of wool are £9.50 and a beanie kit is £39.
gutchpool.com
Send a meat box
Many people are concerned about the price of food, so a meat box can be a real treat or simply practical help. A meat gift voucher is also a great gift that will enable a student or relative to choose what they want to fill a space in the freezer. Buy from the Dorset Meat Company and you’ll be supporting local farmers and growers. The online company also carries a range of appetising deli items so the recipient will have fun choosing treats.
thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk
How about a shot of … milk vodka
Dorset-based Black Cow is the world’s first pure milk vodka. The famous alcoholic drink is made in West Dorset with what’s left over from grass-grazed cows’ milk after the curds are used for cheesemaking. A bottle of vodka is a great gift for a friend or relative, and an interesting addition to the drinks cabinet. Stick with the smooth classic Black Cow, try the English strawberry version or, for something seasonal, a bottle of Black Cow Christmas Spirit. All are delicious neat, and all work beautifully in a cocktail. Prices starts at £26.50.
blackcow.co.uk
Send a little love for British bees
We all know that bees are critical for life – and currently in desperate need of all the help they can get. Filberts, based in West Dorset, has grown from three generations of farmers and promotes the protection of British bees. On their website, you will find a range of gifts and stocking fillers from balms (£5.30) and hand cream to beeswax candles and craft kits (from £12.50).
There’s also a beekeeping course – and of course they also sell honey.
filbertsofdorset.co.uk
You can never have enough socks
Socks are always welcome, especially at Christmas.
Keep your loved ones’ feet toasty warm with some alpaca socks (from £22.50 – we highly recommend the best-selling cushioned sole walking socks) from South Paddocks Farm in Winterborne Houghton. Or try the alpaca sock range at Bride Valley Alpaca Farm in Kingston Russell (from £20 – ‘as strong as silk, as soft as cashmere’). A little further afield is Corrymoor in the Cotswolds with a gorgeous range of mohair and angora socks.
southpaddocks.co.uk
bridevalleyalpacas.com
Give a farm shop voucher
Farm shops are always jam-packed with local crafts, cakes, food specialities and treats, so a gift voucher will always be welcome.
Good farm shops offering gift vouchers and treats include Washingpool Farm Shop near Bridport and Home Farm Shop at Tarrant Gunville.
Many also offer cream teas, a perfect excuse for a day out. Otterton Mill on the Dorset-Devon border is perhaps worth a day trip. It mills grain from farmers all along the Jurassic Coast. Despite a devastating fire in June, they are still working, full of inspiring gift ideas – and they do a great cream tea in the new restaurant.
There are good farm shops all over rural Dorset – they don’t all have a cafe and serve delicious cream teas, but a simple Google search for ‘Farm shop near me’ will show you your nearest.
Go on a Sheep Walk
Many of us enjoy walking the dog and alpaca treks have been popular for years, but now you can take a sheep for a walk around a beautiful Somerselt farm – and learn about the breed at the same time.On this 90 minute experience you’ll meet the flock, pick your personal sheep companion and head out for a trek. Lambing experiences are also available at specific times of the year. Based near Taunton, the farm offers gift vouchers, the perfect gift for animal lovers.
somersetsheeptrekking.co.uk
