About Us
Plumgarths is an independent and family-run farm shop
With a history that stretches back over a century to when Victoria’s great-grandfather delivered milk into Kendal by horse and cart.
Owned by Victoria Hodgson, and under the management of Victoria, daughter Anna, and their dedicated team since 2017, it is situated just off the A591 to the north of Kendal.
The farm shop focus is its traditional butchery counter showcasing locally sourced produce. Customers can enjoy specialities such as local and seasonal salt marsh lamb from Victoria’s parents’ nearby farm as well as beef, pork and lamb from other local farms.
The farm shop team
The farm shop team is expert in both butchery and homemade ready meals so you can expect to find plenty of options beyond the usual cuts. Plumgarths also has an excellent reputation for its meat packs – meat for the week, BBQ and slimmers – which are ideal for helping you to plan ahead and fill your fridge and freezer in one go.
A lot is packed into the traditional stone-built shop. The shelves inside are brimming with the best foods and drinks from local and specialist suppliers. The eggs have an excellent provenance; they are supplied by the family farm at Low Foulshaw and have a reputation for delivering double-yolks. The farm shop also has a customer loyalty scheme and bulk catering options for larger functions.
Plumgarths Lakeland Food Park
The Plumgarths Lakeland Food Park is home to twelve businesses, all with a great synergy and a shared connection to the local area. Food- and office-based businesses, and a furniture restoration business, all nestle around the ample free car park.
The car park offers approximately 60 free spaces and provides easy access to the businesses on site. There are disabled spaces too, including one right outside the farm shop door.
Our nearest neighbour is the Two Sisters Café, but we are just a stride or two from a whole range of specialist and independent enterprises, including: Yardies; Cumbrian Chef; Lovingly Artisan Bakery; Ginger Bakers; Wagtail Kitchen; and Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee & Fine Tea.
Your hot pork pies are awesome.
John H
How it started
2020 was the family’s centenary celebration. The land on which the farm shop now sits was originally farmed by Victoria’s great-grandfather. That’s where the family passion for food and farming began and, over time, tenant farmer became farm owner and the farm and land passed down through the family line.
A farming family history
The arrival of the Kendal bypass split the farm land in two and forced a change that saw the traditional dairy farm close but dairy beef, poultry and sheep farming continue.
Victoria’s parents saw the opportunity to create the Lakeland Food & Business Park on part of the farm land and the farm shop was one of the first ventures to open on the site in 2001. Today, it is in the care of the fourth and fifth generation of the family.
The farm story may stretch back over 100 year but it also extends out to a wider network of family farmers. Victoria’s husband Mark, son Lewis, and her brother-in-law farm dairy, beef and sheep together, while Victoria’s parents, John & Rachel farm beef, sheep and seasonal salt marsh lamb as well as overseeing a thriving egg business along with their two sons.
The family story shows why Victoria and her team are so passionate about the connection between farming and food. It’s also why Plumgarths farm shop is committed to supporting other local farmers, artisans and producers, and to bringing the best local and seasonal produce to its customers.
We hope to see you soon.