There’s just something about walking into a proper local butcher.
The friendly chat while you wait. The recommendations for what’s best that week. The knowledge behind the counter. The fact they actually know where the meat has come from and often who has reared it.
It feels personal in a way supermarkets just can’t replicate.
Living in the countryside gives us such an appreciation for local food and the people behind it. We see first hand the amount of work, care and time that goes into farming, so supporting local butchers feels incredibly important to us.
The quality really is different
You can genuinely taste the difference.
Whether it’s sausages for a slow Sunday breakfast, steaks for the barbecue or a proper roast dinner after a countryside walk, locally sourced meat just hits differently.
There’s usually far more care in how it’s prepared, better knowledge around cuts and cooking, and you’re not buying something that’s travelled halfway around the world before landing on your plate.
It keeps local farming going
Local butchers and local farms go hand in hand.
When you support your butcher, you’re also supporting local farmers, local suppliers and rural communities. You’re helping keep those businesses alive for future generations.
And honestly, in a world where so much is becoming bigger, faster and more impersonal, there’s something really lovely about choosing local where you can.
The service is unmatched
A good butcher will always help you out.
Need advice on what cut to use? They’ll tell you. Cooking for a crowd? They’ll recommend quantities. Fancy trying something new? They’ll probably have ten suggestions ready.
You don’t just feel like another customer. You feel looked after.
It’s part of the whole countryside experience
For us, proper local food is such a huge part of enjoying life in the countryside.
Slow breakfasts. Barbecues with a view. Cosy dinners after muddy walks. Farm shop visits on a weekend. Picking up burgers and sausages for a sunny evening outside.
It’s simple stuff really, but it’s the kind of thing that makes life feel good.
And honestly, we’ll always choose the butcher.
We’ve also got lots of exciting plans over the next year to elevate the guest experience here at Summerhill Farm, with an even bigger focus on championing brilliant local produce and giving guests a real taste of the countryside while they stay with us. So watch this space. 👀