Festive Feasts to Local Finds
Festive Flavours from Hampshire & the Isle of Wight
A Hampshire Christmas is always richer when it’s filled with local flavour, local stories and the people who make it all possible. This season, we’re celebrating the growers and makers who keep our county thriving and invite you to savour the best that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has to offer!
Christmas Mains from Hampshire’s Best!
For many, the Festive Shop starts with the main event: the turkey (or nut roast!). Local butchers & farm shops really come into their own, offering the right size bird or joint, expert tips, and quality you won’t find mass-produced.
Whether it’s a turkey from Tim Way or Downlands Estate, or a beef joint from Gambledown Farm, ordering ahead guarantees just what you need.
Tight on time? Cobbs Farm Shop has launched online ordering for free-range turkeys, grass-fed beef, cheeses, deli favourites, & homemade sides. Order ahead & collect between 22–24 December or pop-in & speak to the team.
Small Touches, Big Flavours
No Christmas dinner would be complete without roast potatoes. Giles Babb of The Blue Bell Inn, Emsworth, suggests goose fat for richness or Hampshire rapeseed oil for a lighter option. Parboil, drain well and let them steam-dry – even overnight in the fridge. The drier the potato, the crispier the finish.
Honey Bee Happy’s flavoured honeys – cinnamon, ginger, chilli and orange – are great for glazing vegetables or adding a gentle festive lift to baked brie or ham. They’re simple, versatile and full of winter warmth
A Touch of Luxury!
When Christmas morning arrives, why not try a Hampshire twist on the classic Champagne and smoked salmon?
ChalkStream® Trout and Candover Brook English Sparkling Wine make a lovely combination – light, fresh and completely rooted in our chalk stream landscapes.
ChalkStream’s slow-grown trout comes from the pure waters of the Test and Itchen, while Candover Brook’s vineyard takes its name from the chalk stream that runs through the valley. Together, they offer a truly local start to the day.
Seasonal Sips & Sweet Gifts
Around the big meals, it’s the small touches that make December feel festive. New Forest Shortbread has two seasonal flavours: cinnamon and ginger, ideal for gifting or enjoying with a hot drink. River Coffee’s Navidad Sky seasonal roast brings notes of baked apple and nutty sweetness, perfect for slow winter mornings.
Mozzo is also celebrating the season with a festive collection featuring coffees from inspirational female-focused producers in Brazil and the DRC, alongside its Festive Spirit blend. They’re rich, comforting and ideal for gifting or Christmas Day coffees.
Something Savoury?
And finally, no Hampshire Christmas is complete without a cheese board. Lyburn and Book & Bucket both shine at this time of year, and a drizzle of Two & One’s olive oils certainly enhances the flavours. Their Verde and Negra harvest oils add elegance to even the simplest spread.
For those who like something a little indulgent, the team at Butter Bike have outdone themselves this year. Their limited edition Sage & Onion Stuffing Peanut Butter is every bit as bold as it sounds – delicious in cheese twists, brilliant in a Boxing Day sandwich, and dangerously good straight from the jar.
