The summer holidays have officially arrived, and with six weeks stretching ahead, many families are asking the same question: what shall we do today?

If you're searching for family days out in the New Forest, somewhere to enjoy great food, meet friendly animals, stock up for a barbecue, or simply spend a few relaxed hours together, Hockey's Farm Shop in South Gorley offers exactly that.

The beauty of a visit to Hockey's is that there doesn't need to be an agenda. Some families arrive for breakfast and stay until lunchtime. Others pop in for a few essentials and somehow leave with an ice cream in hand, bags full of local produce and children who have spent an hour saying hello to the animals. It's somewhere that naturally encourages you to slow down, enjoy the surroundings and make the most of summer.

Whether you're local to Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Verwood, Salisbury or the New Forest, or you're visiting the area on holiday, Hockey's has become one of those places people return to again and again throughout the summer.

A Proper Summer Day Starts With Great Food

There's something about holiday mornings that feels different. No school run. No rushing. Just the chance to enjoy breakfast together.

Our Farmyard Cafe serves breakfast daily from 9am, with everything freshly prepared using quality local ingredients wherever possible. Whether it's a full Hungry Breakfast, smashed avocado on sourdough, pancakes for the children or simply coffee and homemade cake, it's the perfect way to begin your day.

Of course, lunch is just as tempting. Fresh salads, seasonal specials, sandwiches, burgers, daily favourites and lighter summer dishes make Hockey's a wonderful stop after exploring the New Forest or before heading off on your next adventure.

Many visitors tell us they planned to stay for half an hour and ended up spending most of the morning here. We completely understand why.

One of the Best Farm Shops in the New Forest

A visit wouldn't be complete without wandering around the Farm Shop itself.

Every shelf has been carefully chosen to celebrate brilliant local producers alongside everyday favourites you'll actually use at home. Fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, local honey, bakery treats, chutneys, sauces, wines, beers and gifts all sit alongside seasonal produce that changes throughout the year.

Summer is one of our favourite seasons because everything feels abundant.

Juicy Isle of Wight tomatoes, beautiful seasonal vegetables, fresh berries, local cheeses and all those little extras that make summer entertaining effortless.

Whether you're staying in a holiday cottage nearby or planning meals for the week at home, you'll find plenty of inspiration throughout the shop.

It's why so many visitors describe Hockey's as more than simply somewhere to shop. It's somewhere you discover your next meal before you've even thought about cooking it.

BBQ Season Starts at the Butcher's Counter

Of course, no New Forest summer would be complete without firing up the barbecue.

Our award-winning butchery is at the heart of Hockey's and summer is when it truly comes into its own.

Forget supermarket packs that all taste the same. Our butchers prepare quality meat every single day, with knowledgeable advice, seasonal recommendations and plenty of inspiration if you're cooking for family or entertaining friends.

Whether you're planning a relaxed family barbecue or hosting everyone in the garden, you'll find everything you need.

Think beautifully prepared steaks, handmade burgers, sausages made by our expert butchers, marinated chicken, pork, lamb and barbecue favourites ready for the grill.

It's the sort of produce that reminds you how good a barbecue can actually taste when you start with exceptional ingredients.

Our team are always happy to recommend cooking times, suggest something new or help you choose the perfect cut if you're feeding a crowd.

Many customers now make Hockey's their first stop before every summer barbecue because they know they'll leave with quality they can genuinely taste.

If sunshine is forecast, we'd always recommend popping in early because some of our most popular barbecue lines don't stay in the counter for long.

Summer Holidays Are Made for Ice Creams

No family day out feels complete without an ice cream.

After meeting the animals, exploring the shop or enjoying lunch in the cafe, it's become something of a Hockey's tradition.

Children love choosing their favourite flavour before heading back outside, while adults often opt for an iced coffee or one of our refreshing iced drinks.

With temperatures rising across Hampshire this week, it's also the perfect excuse to take a break from the heat.

Find a shady spot, relax for a while and enjoy watching the world go by.

Sometimes the simplest moments become the ones children remember most.

Meet the Animals

One of the biggest reasons families return throughout the holidays is, of course, the animals.

Children love visiting familiar faces and meeting new arrivals throughout the year.

Watching pigs snooze in the sunshine, saying hello to the donkeys, spotting the alpacas or simply spending time around the farm creates those lovely slower moments that holidays should be full of.

For parents, it's equally enjoyable because children can experience animals up close in a relaxed environment without queues, time slots or expensive entry tickets.

It's genuine, simple family time.

The sort that feels increasingly rare.

Explore the Beautiful New Forest

Hockey's sits in one of the most beautiful corners of the New Forest National Park.

That means your visit doesn't have to begin and end at the Farm Shop.

Many visitors combine breakfast or lunch with exploring the surrounding area, discovering nearby walks, spotting free-roaming ponies and cattle or simply enjoying everything this incredible part of Hampshire has to offer.

If you're staying locally, Hockey's makes the perfect base before or after a day exploring.

If you're visiting from further afield, it's an ideal place to experience exactly what makes the New Forest so special — wonderful local food, beautiful countryside and genuine independent businesses that care deeply about quality.

Looking for Things to Do During the Summer Holidays?

The six-week holidays can sometimes feel long, especially when you're trying to find activities everyone enjoys.

That's why so many local families return to Hockey's several times throughout the summer.

One visit might be breakfast before heading to the coast.

Another could be collecting supplies for a barbecue.

Perhaps it's simply meeting the animals before enjoying coffee and cake.

Every visit feels slightly different because the seasons continue to change.

Our Summer Series evenings are also now underway, bringing people together around fantastic seasonal food in our beautiful polytunnel setting. If you haven't experienced one yet, now is the perfect time to book before the remaining evenings sell out.

Supporting Local Never Tasted So Good

When you choose Hockey's, you're supporting far more than one business.

You're supporting local farmers, local producers, local growers, local bakers and independent suppliers from across Hampshire, Dorset and the surrounding area.

Every purchase helps keep those relationships thriving.

It's something we're incredibly proud of and something visitors increasingly tell us matters to them too.

Knowing where your food comes from, speaking to knowledgeable people and shopping somewhere that genuinely values quality all adds up to a very different experience.

Make Hockey's Part of Your Summer

The best summer memories rarely come from complicated plans.

They're the spontaneous breakfast that turns into lunch.

The barbecue that everyone talks about afterwards because the food was so good.

The children laughing while visiting the animals.

The iced drink enjoyed in the sunshine.

The bag of local produce that inspires dinner that evening.

The promise to come back next week.

Whether you're searching online for a farm shop in the New Forest, family-friendly places to visit near Fordingbridge, the best butcher for BBQ meat, breakfast in the New Forest, or simply somewhere to spend a few relaxing hours this summer, we'd love to welcome you.

So if you're planning your next family day out, stocking up for your next barbecue or simply looking for somewhere that celebrates everything that's wonderful about local food and the New Forest, make Hockey's Farm Shop your next stop.

We think once you've visited, you'll understand why so many people make it part of their summer, year after year.