Isle of Wight Garlic Farm
The Farm Near Newchurch, IOW, that Deals in Everything Garlicky
Jul 4, 2009
On a narrow country lane just north of Newchurch, Isle of Wight, lies a small family run farm the speciality of which, for the last thirty years or so, has been the growing and processing of garlic. It all started, according to a story board on the left of the entrance, when the lady of the house stuck a bulb of garlic in the ground one year then triumphantly announced a while later “It grows!”
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
The garlic grown on the farm was found to be far superior to that which was available in the shops at the time and so the family set about commercially producing it. They now run a thriving business and have opened up a café and shop in the farm grounds. They also started the surprisingly successful annual IOW garlic festival.
The garlic festival was introduced in 1983 initially as a way to raise funds for the village school. It was a success and has now grown into a surprisingly popular annual event which is claimed to be second only to Cowes Week. The festival celebrates everything that is garlic as well as acting as a showcase for other products grown on the island and profits now benefit a variety of Island charities.
Visiting the Newchurch Garlic Farm
The farm is open to visitors and the first thing that assails the nostrils when getting out of the car in the small car park opposite the farm is the smell of garlic. It cannot be escaped. It is everywhere. But it’s the nice sweet smell of fresh garlic rather than the harsher smell of burnt garlic.
There is a licensed restaurant and a farm shop. The food at the restaurant, naturally, includes various dishes involving garlic. But they also sell simple cups of (non garlic!) tea or coffee which can be drunk either inside or at the picnic benches outside. There is an enormous wooden carving celebrating garlic just outside the shop.
The Isle of Wight Garlic Farm Shop
The shop sells all manner of garlic produce from relishes and garlic mayonnaise to books and seed garlic for planting. Every pickle, condiment and relish that’s sold is available for tasting before being bought. Bowls of each type of product along with pieces of cracker are placed with spoons on a table so curious visitors can try before they buy. There is no danger of buying something that will only be thrown away afterwards.
The prices are not particularly cheap for either the food in the restaurant or the produce in the shop but they make unusual presents and gifts. The farmhouse and public areas are also very pretty and old and well worth a visit just to be able to soak up the smell and the ambiance that is this unique farm complex and garlic production centre on the Isle of Wight.
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