Atkinson Fresh Fish and Smoked Foods (Anyfish)
Traditional fishmongers, responsibly sourced seafood from Shetland to Cornwall. Local Smokehouse producing naturally smoked fish, game meat and poultry.
Fancy a foodie meander through the Meon Valley?
The Food and drink of the beautiful Meon Valley
The River Meon meanders upstream from its source at the chalk downs near East Meon through more than 20 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside and English villages.
It’s the smallest of the county’s three iconic chalk streams, where the porous chalk of the downlands acts as a filter bed for rainwater, so it’s alkaline and has abundant minerals which enrich the water, creating unique crystal clear streams where wildlife flourishes. There are only 200 chalk streams in the world, and England has more than 85% of them.
As such this shallow river, which has a steep journey to The Solent, has shaped not only the landscape, but also the food and drink of the region, with chalk stream trout, watercress and English wines all benefitting from this crystal clear water.
The chalk has defined the valley’s hills and river meadows and the region is a patchwork of downs, farmland and villages. For foodies, it’s a valley that should be on the bucket list.
Anyfish, Bishops Waltham
Peter Atkinson’s Anyfish shop and deli at Bishops Waltham is filled with a selection of the freshest, seasonal, sustainable fish – and their friendly team are on hand to prepare it for you and offer advice on cooking.
The shop’s delicious deli has a selection of cheese, olives, sauces, pâtés, pickles and can also supply specially ordered produce for a dinner party or special occasion.
Smokehouse
At their own local smokehouse in a nearby converted barn they produce cold and hot smoked fish and meats for the Anyfish fishmonger’s and for a collection of local trade customers who use the fabulous smoked salmon and poultry in their shops and cafés.
If you fancy trying some of their classic smoked salmon, smoked duck, smoked ham, or kippers then pop into their shop?
Charter boat hire
Anyfish also runs a charter boat hire service if you fancy a fishing trip out on the Solent or around Hampshire’s stunning coastline.
The Anyfish boat is a fast and comfortable Rodman 1040 motor boat called Dotty.
She’s moored in Langstone Harbour and is available to charter for days out or fishing trips on the Solent.
Westlands Farm Shop
The family-run Westlands Farm Shop at Swanmore near Wickham is worth hunting out – and they now have a second shop in the heart of Winchester if that’s more local to you.
Westlands is the epitome of a good farm shop – a values-driven hub for the very best local food and drink and a team with a passion for sustainable and ethical practices.
Fruit, veg, cheese, butchery, bread, wines, spirits, fresh produce, local offerings – and cakes!
They’re proud that more than 70% of their suppliers are local to the farm and many of their producers are within a 40-mile radius – building great relationships and supporting communities, keeping their carbon footprint low and providing customers with high-quality produce.
Fruit and veg is grown on the farm and they rear native Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle – farming sensitively with the environment and the wildlife of their farm.
The butchery team are experts who can advise on cuts and prepare them at the meat counter.
Fresh bread and cakes are baked every morning and their deli counter showcases a large range of fantastic cheeses and free-range eggs from another Hampshire Fare member, Claytons Eggs of Romsey.
There’s a large selection of local wines, spirits, ales and ciders and their knowledgeable team can help you pair the perfect wine with your meal or pick the perfect tipple to celebrate an occasion.
Take a look at their website, or better still, go out for a drive along the Meon Valley and pop in to see them, then maybe head for a pub meal at a Hampshire Fare member afterwards – the Bold Forester maybe?
The Bold Forester, Soberton
The Bold Forester at Soberton, has a reputation as a family and dog-friendly pub with a great atmosphere, warm welcome, fabulous beer garden and a menu that features produce from nearby farms.
There are three menus, but from their bar menu, how about a pizza with spicy pepperoni and jalapenos, or prawns, chorizo and chimichurri, or a bagel with cream cheese, chalk stream trout, pickles and Hampshire watercress!
The pub has a history dating back to the 1840s, when blacksmith William Knight first started serving his customers ale as well as shoeing their horses.
As well as great food and a legendary Sunday roast, ales still feature heavily here, with a rotating range of local brewery cask ales alongside popular draught beers and wines.
The award-winning micro-brewery, Bowman Ales of Droxford
Bowman Ales is an award-winning micro-brewery which sits in the rolling hills of the Meon Valley near Droxford, and founders Ray Page and Martin Roberts have been delighting ale enthusiasts since 2006. Their beers have evolved since then into three regular brews and a monthly 4.5% special as well.
They bottle six glorious beers – Swift One, Meon Valley Bitter, Wallops Wood, Quiver Bitter, Black Drop and IPA – and all have proved enormously popular.
They’re stocked in lots of Hampshire stores and off-licences, but you can drool over the descriptions on their website.
For example… Swift One is a blonde and hoppy beer which the Bowman’s team describes as, “a pale, golden quaffing ale with excellent flavours for its strength. Pleasingly hoppy throughout without being aggressive, and possessing a fine aroma. The finish is dry with a small twist of sweetness at the end. If you feel that this is all rather pretentious then it can best be described as a ‘fantastic pint’!
Exton Park Vineyard
In the rolling chalk hills of the Meon Valley, Exton Park’s 60-acre, single vineyard produces premium, award-winning English sparkling wine.
The team at Exton Park is passionate about quality and provenance, and proud to be one of the few sustainable, single estate producers in Britain.
Their iconic Reserve Blend and Limited Release wines are the result of a decade of innovation, curating wines that they claim “satisfy the imagination, not convention.”
Experience their signature style across their selection of wines, whether it’s the exceptional quality and consistency of their Reserve Blends or the extraordinary wines in Limited Release.
You can see the estate or taste their wines on one of their tours and tastings – or of course try and buy online!
New Place is a hotel, conference centre and wedding venue
Set in 32 acres of Hampshire countryside, New Place is a stunning Grade I listed hotel, conference centre and wedding venue with 110 bedrooms and a 17th Century decorated restaurant serving quality local produce in seasonal menu choices.
The Cart House holiday cottage at Bishops Waltham
The Cart House is a beautiful spacious barn conversion on the edge of the South Downs, offering a comfortable relaxing base for couples and families.
It’s split over two floors and accommodates six people, with two ground floor bedrooms and a third bedroom and cosy snug on the mezzanine levels.
There are vaulted ceilings, beams and traditional stone flooring in the well-equipped kitchen diner and a comfortable living room with doors opening onto the garden to relax in after your days out or long countryside walks.
This is a perfect base to explore the food and drink of The Meon Valley! You could even invite in one of our private chef members to cook for you!
Cupcake Express
Cupcake Express is a small cake bakery based in Shedfield, where Jane and the team have been making cupcakes for the hospitality industry and specialising in bespoke designs for family celebrations and corporate customers nationwide.
Customers are welcome to bring their ideas for the team to create something special exclusively for your business, or choose from the many fun designs that are so popular with all the family!
The Meon Valley Trail
If you’re looking to enjoy the Meon Valley and all it has to offer in the way of scenery as well as food and drink then download this South Downs National Park leaflet about the Meon Valley Trail. Check it against our own map to find our members along the way.
Enjoy!
Our Meon Valley members
The Bold Forester
A country pub offering up market pub dining using the best produce Hampshire has to offer.
Bowman Ales
Bowman Ales is a micro brewery producing award-winning ale from the rolling green heart of Hampshire.
The Cart House
The Cart House is a self-catering holiday cottage, located just outside Bishop’s Waltham.
Exton Park Vineyard
An award-winning, premium English Sparkling Wine single vineyard based in the South Downs.
New Place Hotel
New Place hotel and conference centre is set in 32 acres of Hampshire countryside.
Westlands Farm Shop and Tea Room
Farm shop near Wickham, Southampton, with Butchery counter. Producers of premium Strawberries and Raspberries.
Cupcake Express
A small boutique Wholesale Cake Bakery specializing in bespoke cupcakes for family attractions and corporate customers.
