🎄 Christmas at Hockey’s Farm Shop: The Heart of New Forest Festive Food 🎄
There’s a moment every year when the New Forest shifts into its winter rhythm. The air becomes crisp, the countryside quietens, and the excitement of Christmas begins to build. At Hockey’s Farm Shop, this is the time we wait for, the season when the shop fills with festive flavours, families begin planning their Christmas feasts, and our team works tirelessly to bring the very best local, ethically produced, unforgettable Christmas meats and treats to your table.
For many, Christmas simply wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Hockey’s. And this year, more than ever, we’re encouraging customers to place their Christmas orders early. From New Forest Bronze Turkeys and White Hens from Paul Tanner to geese, topside beef, chicken crowns, boned-and-rolled turkey joints, and our famed Pannage Pork, we pride ourselves on offering a Christmas range that brings together quality, provenance, and flavour in a way that few other places can.
This is your invitation to make Christmas extraordinary.
The Magic of Choosing Your Christmas Meat at Hockey’s
Every Christmas table tells a story. Sometimes that story is built around a beautifully roasted New Forest turkey, golden and crisp-skinned, carved at the family table and followed by sighs of appreciation. Other times, it’s the rich indulgence of goose, the robust depth of beef, or the tender simplicity of chicken that anchors the meal.
At Hockey’s, we understand that choosing your Christmas centrepiece is far more than just ticking a box, it’s a tradition, a moment of pride, and the part of the meal everyone remembers. That’s why we take such care in sourcing and preparing the very best meats available.
Our New Forest Bronze Turkeys are free-range, slow-grown and full of natural flavour. These birds live healthy, outdoor lives, which translates to incredibly succulent meat and a depth of taste that makes ordinary supermarket turkeys seem pale in comparison. For those who prefer a more traditional white-feathered option, our White Hens from Paul Tanner offer a plump, classic roasting bird with unbeatable tenderness.
But turkey is just the beginning.
Many families come to Hockey’s in search of a different Christmas experience. Our topside of beef, with its lean, flavour-packed richness, has become a favourite for Boxing Day spreads or for those who prefer red meat on Christmas Day. Others choose chicken crowns, perfect for smaller gatherings or those who want the ease of carving with no compromise on flavour.
We also offer boned and rolled turkey joints, which can be ordered either plain or beautifully stuffed by our butchery team. These joints are ideal for families who appreciate convenience without sacrificing the specialness of Christmas. They cook evenly, slice neatly, and deliver all the essence of a whole turkey with none of the fuss.
From full birds to crowns to rolled joints, the choice is yours and our team is always happy to help you decide what will best suit your gathering.
The Unmistakable Taste of New Forest Pannage Pork
Perhaps nothing captures the spirit of the New Forest quite like Pannage Pork. This is a seasonal delicacy with centuries of heritage behind it. During pannage season, pigs are turned out into the forest to roam freely, foraging naturally for acorns, beech mast, and forest vegetation. This unique diet gives pannage pork its distinctive sweetness, depth, and tenderness, a flavour you simply can’t replicate by other means.
Hockey’s customers travel from near and far to secure their Christmas pannage orders, and every year we sell out earlier than the last.
Our pannage range is extensive and varied because no two families want the same thing. Many choose a pannage gammon, which becomes the star of the table once glazed and slow-roasted. Others prefer pannage sausages, perfect for pigs in blankets, festive breakfasts, stuffings, and Christmas casseroles. Then there are the spare ribs, roasting joints, belly cuts, chops, and even bespoke cuts to order, each delivering that unmistakable pannage character.
It’s important to note that our pannage selection is not exhaustive in any fixed way. It changes year by year based on availability, but always includes a broad choice of cuts to allow you to build your perfect Christmas menu. Whatever your preference, the earlier you order, the better your chances of securing exactly what you want.
If you want Christmas to feature something truly authentic and truly local, pannage pork is the pinnacle.
Don’t Forget the Trimmings: The Extras That Make Christmas Complete
A Christmas meal is only as magical as the details and at Hockey’s, we take those details seriously.
Once you’ve chosen your main joint or bird, our team will help you build out the rest of your festive table. Our handmade pigs in blankets are a must, as are our excellent streaky and back bacons, perfect for wrapping, crisping, and nibbling. From classic stuffing ingredients to the little extras that make your roast sing, we’ve made sure that our customers can find everything they need in one place.
This means less time shopping in multiple locations, and more time enjoying the run-up to Christmas.
A Farm Shop Full of Festive Temptation
Christmas at Hockey’s isn’t just about the meat, it’s about the whole experience. Walking into the farm shop in December is like stepping into a festive treasure trove.
Shelves are stacked with indulgent treats: buttery mince pies, chocolate-coated marzipan, rich Dubai chocolate, artisan biscuits, Christmas chutneys, festive cheeses, and special bottles to toast the season. Whether you’re picking up essentials or choosing gifts, the shop becomes a warm haven from the hectic Christmas rush.
Many customers make a ritual of grabbing a coffee from our cafe, taking their time as they browse, and then placing their Christmas order in person. It’s relaxed, friendly, and everything Christmas shopping should be.
Ordering Early: The Key to a Stress-Free Christmas
We urge customers to place their Christmas orders as early as possible. Our meats — especially turkeys, geese, and pannage pork — are limited in number, and once they’re allocated, they’re gone.
Ordering is simple:
📞 Call us: 01425 652542
đź“§ Email us: naturalmeats@hockeysfarm.co.uk
🏪 Visit the Farm Shop: order in person and enjoy a warm festive welcome
Christmas Opening Times
Monday–Sunday: 9am–5pm
Saturday 20th – Tuesday 23rd December: 8am–6pm
Christmas Eve: 8am–2pm
Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day
Make This Christmas One to Remember!
At Hockey’s Farm Shop, Christmas isn’t just a season, it’s a celebration of everything we stand for: local food, exceptional quality, traditional farming, and warm community spirit.
Whether you're planning a grand feast or an intimate meal, whether you choose pannage pork, turkey, beef, chicken, or all of the above, we’re here to help you create a Christmas dinner filled with flavour, warmth, and joy.
Place your order today and let this be your most delicious Christmas yet.