Discover the inspiring story of Hockey’s Farm in South Gorley, New Forest (Hampshire) from its 1970s origins as a family butchery to today’s award-winning farm shop, Farmyard cafe, traditional butchery, and The Vinery gift & craft shop, where local produce, sustainability, and community come together.

A New Forest Landmark Rooted in Heritage

Set amid the rolling pastures of the New Forest National Park, Hockey’s Farm has been part of Hampshire countryside life for more than fifty years. What began as a modest family venture has blossomed into a thriving farm shop, café, working butchery, and creative gift shop, a true community hub where locals and visitors connect with real food, friendly faces, and rural charm.

Where It All Began (1970s – 1980s)

The story started in 1973 when Philip and Carol Hockey opened a small farm shop and butchery on their ten-acre smallholding in South Gorley. Their mission was simple: to provide top-quality, naturally reared meat at fair prices.

Word spread quickly. By the late 1970s, Hockey’s Farm had become a local favourite — employing several skilled butchers and raising Charolais cattle and red deer to supply outstanding beef and venison across the New Forest and regularly up to London.

Customers came not only for the produce but for the people. The Hockeys’ reputation for honesty, craftsmanship, and community spirit set the foundation for the farm’s future.

As time went on and farming trends changed, the original butchery slowed. By the early 2010s, the site’s once-bustling buildings were quiet, waiting for new energy to bring them back to life.

Revival and Renewal (2013 – Present)

That revival arrived in 2013 when Laura and Jonny Burrell, together with Laura’s parents Anne and Robin Norris, purchased the farm.

For Laura, who had visited as a child, it was a dream turned reality. “I always used to love coming here, I never thought it would one day be our home,” she recalls.

The family sold their homes to finance the project and moved in just before the heavy New Forest floods of 2013. Undeterred, they restored the shop and butchery, reintroduced livestock, and breathed life back into the land.

Within months, Hockey’s Farm was reborn, its shelves filled with local produce, its counters gleaming with fresh cuts of meat, and its doors once again open to the community.

The Farm Shop: Local Produce at Its Finest

At the heart of the site is the Hockey’s Farm Shop, stocked floor-to-ceiling with New Forest produce. Visitors can browse free-range eggs, seasonal fruit and veg, artisan cheeses, freshly baked bread, local honey, jams, chutneys, and Hampshire craft spirits.

Each item is hand-picked from over 40 local suppliers who share the farm’s ethos of quality and sustainability. Many products carry the New Forest Marque or Hampshire Fare accreditation, proof of genuine local origin.

It’s not just a place to shop; it’s an experience. The friendly team know their producers personally and are always happy to share tips on the best cuts, recipes, or seasonal finds.

The Butchery: Tradition and Traceability

The Hockey’s Farm Butchery remains the cornerstone of the business, the same craft that Philip and Carol Hockey started half a century ago. Here, skilled butchers prepare locally sourced beef, pork, lamb, chicken and venison.

Every joint, sausage, and steak reflects the farm’s commitment to traceability, animal welfare, and traditional methods. Shoppers can talk directly with the butcher, request bespoke cuts, and know exactly where their meat comes from.

The butchery also supplies the Farmyard Cafe, ensuring the connection from pasture to plate is genuine and transparent.

The Farmyard Cafe: A True Taste of the New Forest

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, the Farmyard Cafe has become a destination in its own right.

The menu celebrates seasonal ingredients and farm-to-fork freshness,think full English breakfasts with farm-made sausages, hearty soups, homemade pies, and indulgent cakes baked on site.

With indoor and outdoor seating, the cafe offers a relaxed countryside setting where families, cyclists, and dog walkers gather.

‘We aim for nothing but the best, using quality ingredients and a real feeling of second to none experience.’ says Laura.

Each dish doubles as an introduction to the farm’s produce, visitors can enjoy their meal, then buy the same sausages, eggs, or chutneys in the farm shop to take home.

Animals and Authenticity

No visit to Hockey’s Farm would be complete without meeting its friendly residents: British Lop pigs, goats, donkeys, alpacas, ducks, chickens, and rescued guinea pigs.

Families can stroll the grounds, feed the animals, and learn about farming in a way that’s fun and educational. Many of the creatures have rescue stories, including the famous pair of turkeys that were spared their Christmas fate once they were given names!

This connection with animals reinforces the farm’s mission to inspire respect for nature and teach children where their food comes from.

The Vinery Gift & Craft Shop: Creativity in Bloom

Once a small bric-a-brac corner, the space has been lovingly transformed into The Vinery, Hockey’s Farm’s gift and craft shop, celebrating the imagination of local makers.

Named in honour of the old glasshouse that once stood on the site, The Vinery represents growth, light, and renewal , values woven into the farm’s modern story.

Inside, you’ll find handcrafted gifts, ceramics, textiles, candles, jewellery, woodwork, prints, and sustainable homeware, all created by artisans from the New Forest and Hampshire.

Every purchase supports local craftspeople and offers visitors a meaningful souvenir of their New Forest experience. Whether you’re hunting for a birthday present, a keepsake, or an eco-friendly décor piece, The Vinery Gift Shop provides authentic finds with a personal touch.

Community and Sustainability

Hockey’s Farm has always been more than a business; it’s a community cornerstone. Locals rely on it for essentials, and the cafe serves as a social hub where neighbours catch up over coffee.

The farm also champions sustainability, investing in solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and wildlife-friendly farming. These initiatives earned Hockey’s recognition as a New Forest National Park “ Sustainability Champion” in 2023.

“We get tourists and holidaymakers,” says Jonny, “but local people are our bread and butter.”

By partnering with nearby farms, bakers, and brewers, Hockey’s keeps the local economy thriving while reducing food miles and supporting the New Forest Marque ethos of provenance.

Events and Experiences: A Farm for All Seasons

Throughout the year, Hockey’s hosts seasonal events that bring the community together.

The Hockey’s Christmas Event is a festive favourite, with market stalls and charity fundraising. This year it is on Thursday 4th December from 4-8pm.
In autumn, visitors learn about pannage, the centuries-old New Forest tradition of releasing pigs to forage acorns, a sustainable practice that produces uniquely flavoured pork.

These gatherings make the farm not just a place to shop or eat, but a place to belong.

Visit Hockey’s Farm

Whether you’re calling in for breakfast, picking up your weekly shop, chatting with the butcher, or browsing The Vinery, every visit to Hockey’s Farm offers a warm welcome and a true taste of the New Forest.

📍 Address: Hockey’s Farm, South Gorley, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2PW
🕒 Opening Hours: 9am- 5pm
🌐 Website: https://www.hockeysfarm.co.uk
📞 Contact: 01425 652542 or email naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk

A Living Piece of New Forest History

From its humble beginnings as a 1970s family butchery to today’s dynamic farm shop, cafe, butchery, and The Vinery gift shop, Hockey’s Farm continues to represent everything that’s special about the New Forest, community, craftsmanship, and care.

“There’s something special about this place, it’s so lovely and tranquil,” Laura reflects.

That special something has carried through five decades of hard work and heart, making Hockey’s Farm not just a destination but a way of life.

So next time you’re exploring Hampshire’s New Forest, stop by, say hello to the animals, enjoy a coffee, visit The Vinery, and discover why Hockey’s Farm remains one of the region’s most beloved countryside treasures.