Eggs
During the filming of Food Heroes, we decided to test whether there really is any difference between battery eggs and free-range ones. We had a panel of 15 tasters from the Crown Hotel in Carlisle, and we cooked each of them one battery, one supermarket free-range, and one free-range organic egg from a small local farm. The results were conclusive – 10 tasters voted for the organic egg, 5 for the supermarket free-range egg, and none for the battery egg. This is why the majority of our listed egg producers keep small flocks of free-range hens, feeding them a high quality ration or home-grown feed – we really do believe that this kind of husbandry results in the best eggs.
South West Region
Clarence Court Ltd
PO Box 37, Broadway, WR12 7YG
Tel: 01386 858007
Website: www.clarencecourt.co.uk E-mail: info@clarencecourt.co.uk
Large commercial supplier, but with a very high level of animal welfare. The traditional British breed hens (Old Cotswold Legbar and Mabel Pearman Burford Brown) are truly free-range, with acres of pasture in which to roam. Accredited by the RSPCA Freedom Foods scheme, and by the Vegetarian Society. Clarence Court aims to revive old British breeds; breeds that lay large, well-flavoured, interestingly coloured eggs. The eggs are high density, low water content, and great for baking. Available from Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and Sainsbury's.
Kintaline Farm Plant & Poultry Centre
Benderloch, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QS
Tel: 01631 720223, Fax: 01631 720759
Website: www.kintaline.co.uk E-mail: home@kintaline.co.uk
Eggs from Black Rock hens allowed to roam outside all day on permanent pasture. Very high level of animal welfare; birds are allowed natural resting and moulting periods. Feed is free from hormones and animal by-products, and is not high in protein (which can taint the eggs with a fishy taste). Also duck eggs and fresh herbs. Available from Fort William and Oban farmers’ markets, and farm-gate sales.
Corrie Mains Farm
Mauchlinem, Ayrshire, KA5 5DT
Tel: 01290 550338
Isa Brown and Aracauna hens' eggs, and quail, goose and duck eggs, all free-range. Available at Ayr, Falkirk, Larg, Kilmarnock, Glasgow and Paisley farmers' markets.
Higher Redwood Farm
Golberdon Road, Pensilva, Nr Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 5RL
Tel/Fax: 01579 363275
Eggs from free-range Speckledy hens reared in small flocks. Available direct from the farm.
Holt Vale Farm Shop
Holt Vale Farm, Holt, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7DL
Tel: 01202 881525
A farm shop selling only produce from Holt Vale Farm, including eggs from free-range hens. Farm-gate sales only.
Holmansbridge Farm
Townlittleworth Road, Cooksbridge, Nr Lewes, East Sussex BN8 4TD
Tel: 01273 400679
Free-range eggs that are RSPCA-accredited and lion coded. Available from the farm shop, or various local outlets; call for details.
Wynne's of Dinmore
Hope-under-Dinmore, Herefordshire HR6 0PX
Tel/Fax: 01568 797314
Website: www.wynnes.co.uk E-mail: info@wynnes.co.uk
RSPCA-accredited, the hens are allowed to roam freely outside from morning till dusk. Available from Leominster and Hereford farmers’ markets, and local outlets; call or see website for details.
Bank Farm Produce
Bank Farm, Bank Road, Aldington, Ashford, Kent TN25 7DF
Tel: 0800 5874999 Fax: 01233 721510
Website: www.bankfarmproduce.co.uk, E-mail: freerangehens@aol.com
Hens' eggs; also quail, duck and goose eggs, from free-range birds. Accredited by the RSPCA. Suppliers from Bank Farm attend farmers' markets and make delivery rounds in Kent and London. The eggs can also be bought from the farm itself. Suppliers to Michelin-starred restaurants in London.
Sunny Side Up
Poplar Farm, Tealby Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN8 3UL
Tel: 01673 844736 Fax: 01673 849227
E-mail: hammonds@poplar-farm.fsnet.co.uk
Free-range eggs available direct from the farm. The hens can be seen wandering the hillside as you go to buy their eggs. A new venture at Sunny Side Up is home produced meat - Lincoln Red beef, lamd and Berkshire and Gloucester Old Spot pork. All available from the farm, but please phone first.
The Chicken Came First
Lynton Mead, Outwoods, Newport, Shropshire TF10 9EB
Tel: 01952 691418
Clare Draper has a small flock of laying hens, a hotch-potch of all kinds of unusual breeds such as the Lavender Araucana and the Brown Leghorn. These hens lay eggs in an array of gorgeous colours, from blue to brown, and green to white. The birds range freely around the farm. Clare operates a local delivery round, call her for details.
Clive Fruit Farm
Willingsworth Farmhouse, Upper Hook Road, Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire WR8 0SA
Tel: 01684 592664
Gather your own free-range eggs! Chickens are free to roam outside, while customers can 'pick their own' eggs from the hen houses, for ultimate freshness. The farm also has a range of pick your own fruit, including apples, pears, plums and soft fruits.
Hopyard Farm
Bourne Road, Defford, Worcestershire WR8 9BS
Tel: 01386 750902 Fax: 01386 751389
E-mail: philip-earl@hopyardfarm.co.uk
Eggs from small flocks of hens allowed to roam outdoors all day, and fed a natural diet with no hormones or animal by-products. Many local outlets, call for details.
