Discover the vibrant flavours of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, where our local food and drink producers offer a rich tapestry of tastes, traditions and sustainable practices. Whether you're visiting us and seeking authentic experiences or you’re a resident looking to support our local businesses, this guide will help you explore the best of what the borough has to offer, from bustling farmers' markets to artisan drinks crafted with care.
Farmers' Markets
Farmers' markets in Windsor and Maidenhead are more than just places to shop; they're community hubs where local producers share their passion for quality, sustainability and provenance. Farmers’ markets offer a direct connection between field and fork, allowing you to meet the growers, bakers and makers behind the produce.
In Maidenhead, the Farmers' Market takes place on the second Sunday of each month at Grove Road Car Park. It’s Berkshire’s longest-running farmers’ market, with over 25 years of continuous operation. Here you’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, free-range meats, artisan breads, homemade preserves and much more, all sourced within a 30-mile radius. Stallholders are always happy to share the story behind their products, making each visit a learning experience as well as a culinary one.
Ascot Farmers' Market, held on the third Sunday of the month at Ascot Racecourse Car Park 3, features over 20 stalls offering fresh produce, dairy goods, baked treats and hot food. With covered seating and free parking, it’s a relaxed and welcoming environment for families and food lovers alike.
New to the scene is the Waterside Quarter Artisan and Farmers' Market in Maidenhead, held on the first and third Sundays of the month. This curated market showcases sustainable products, handmade goods and locally-produced food, adding a fresh layer to the borough’s thriving market culture.
Pick Your Own Farms
Pick Your Own (PYO) farms offer a hands-on way to enjoy the freshest seasonal produce while connecting with nature. These farms are ideal for families, couples and anyone who enjoys the satisfaction of harvesting their own food.
Copas Farms in Cookham is a standout destination, offering a wide variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. From strawberries and raspberries in early summer to pumpkins in autumn, the farm provides a fun and educational experience for all ages. The farm also features a maize maze and seasonal events, making it a popular choice for weekend outings.
Visitors can pick cherries, plums, blackberries and more, depending on the time of year. The farm’s commitment to sustainable practices and high-quality produce ensures that what you pick is not only fresh but responsibly grown.
Farm Shops and Independent Retailers
Farm shops and independent food retailers in the Royal Borough are essential for those seeking fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and artisanal products. These shops often stock items you won’t find in supermarkets, supporting small producers and offering a more personal shopping experience.
The Windsor Farm Shop, located on the edge of the Windsor Estate, is a prime example. Founded by Prince Philip in 2001, it offers top-quality beef, pork and lamb from Windsor Farms, seasonal game, fresh vegetables and a delicatessen with homemade pies and British cheeses. The adjacent café is perfect for a light lunch or afternoon tea.
Waltham Place Farm Shop in Maidenhead sells organic produce grown on-site, including fruit, vegetables and home-reared meat. As a Soil Association-certified farm, it upholds high environmental and welfare standards.
At Fernygrove Farm, based in Hawthorn Hill, you’ll find home-produced and locally sourced meat for sale in their butchers and farm shop, together with home-cooked meats, fine English cheeses, locally baked breads and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Fernygrove Farm’s coffee shop is home to the hearty ‘All Day Fernygrove Breakfast’ using their fantastic award-winning sausages and home dry cured bacon. The coffee shop’s cakes are homemade too.
Locally-Produced Food
Locally-produced food in Windsor and Maidenhead reflects the region’s agricultural heritage and commitment to quality. From slow-grown meats to handmade baked goods, the borough is home to a diverse array of producers who take pride in their craft.
L & O Farm Produce, based in Windsor, specialises in high-welfare, slow-grown turkeys and pork. Their ethical farming practices and dedication to flavour make them a popular choice during the festive season and beyond.
For ice cream lovers, Agosti Gelato, based on Cookham, offers unique, delicious gelatos and sorbets. Their milk and cream comes from a small herd of Guernsey cows on a family farm in the Chiltern Hills and, in season, the fruit, herbs and flowers they use are locally sourced, including from their own garden!
Heidi’s Bakery has been bringing proper pastry and patisserie to England for over 20 years. The store was founded in Windsor by Heidi Daniel. Today the business has grown much bigger with the Windsor central kitchen serving over six restaurants including Foggs on the first floor of Daniel of Windsor.
Restaurants across the borough also champion locally-sourced food. Establishments like The Hind’s Head in Bray, Seasonality in Maidenhead and The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor incorporate regional produce into their menus, offering diners a true taste of the area.
Locally-Produced Drink
The Royal Borough is home to a growing number of independent drink producers, from craft breweries to boutique vineyards and coffee roasters. These businesses contribute to the area’s vibrant food and drink scene and offer unique tasting experiences.
Windsor & Eton Brewery is a local success story, producing award-winning beers and hosting regular brewery tours. Their taproom, Unit 4, offers up to 22 beers on tap and is a lively venue for tastings and events.
A Hoppy Place, with locations in Windsor and Maidenhead, is a craft beer destination stocking over 2,000 brews from across the UK. Their commitment to diversity and independence makes them a favourite among beer enthusiasts.
For wine lovers, the Windsor Great Park Vineyard produces Laithwaites’ award-winning Windsor Great Park Vineyard English Quality Sparkling Wine. Its discovery is a long (and charming) story that resulted in the planting of this 3-hectare plot in 2011, with the permission of the Duke of Edinburgh, the official Ranger for Windsor Great Park at the time. Ideal soils, exposure to the sun, with slopes leading down to Great Meadow Pond; all near-perfect conditions, bar perhaps the grape-thirsty parakeets that perch in nearby oak trees. The vineyard is tended with great care by Henry Laithwaite, who is also the talented winemaker. All the grapes are taken to his prize-winning Harrow & Hope winery in Marlow, close by.
Coffee aficionados can enjoy locally-roasted blends from Moneyrow Beans, the Berkshire-based coffee roaster for Gorilla Conservation Coffee.
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