I HAD been meaning to drop into the Three Trees farm shop for some time, which sells home-grown local meat from Chiseldon-based Three Trees farm.

So when I found out that Sunday lunches were on offer, we scheduled a shopping trip to Swindon so that we could try one on the way.

The farm shop and café is conveniently located just off junction 15 of the M4, just past the Esso petrol station on the Marlborough road, so is an ideal stop-off for those not wanting to pay motorway service station prices for poor quality food.

The car park has plenty of room to accommodate travellers. However, if you want to leave the car at home, it is also on a cycle path.

The café is spacious and feels homely and welcoming. The menu offers a variety of snack options, including breakfasts, bloomer rolls, jacket potatoes, cream teas and so on.

We ordered two roasts, one turkey and one beef, which were priced at £9.95 and the service at the till was friendly and helpful. The children had their favourites of ham, egg and chips and sausage, beans and chips, with coffees for the grown-ups and juice for the little ones.

We sat back to admire the Christmas decorations and novel gift items in the shop.

After only a short wait, we were each presented with a large plate of food, with extra gravy in a little jug. The Yorkshire puddings were a triumph and of a good size. In fact, there was so much food on my plate, I didn’t know where to start among the array of pigs in blankets, choice of four vegetables including red cabbage in a very tasty sauce, plentiful roast potatoes and stuffing balls.

There was plenty of meat, which was cooked to perfection and thickly cut.

The children’s meals were of a good portion and the ham and sausages of very good quality, and no doubt on sale in the shop.

For anyone looking for a place for a hearty Sunday lunch that is not a pub environment, they are advised to try out The Three Trees.

Three Trees Farm Shop & Café

The Ridgeway,

Chiseldon

Tel: 01793 741436

Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30 pm

ALISON GROVER