Mainsgill Farm Shop near Richmond rated one of North’s best

Mainsgill Farm Shop, located just off the A66 near Richmond, has grown steadily over the past three decades to become one of the largest farm retail operations in the North of England.

First established in 1997 as a converted garage selling home-reared meat, the business has since expanded to cover more than 20,000 square feet of retail space and now farms over 1,200 acres.

The entrance of Mainsgill (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Recent developments include a two-storey extension, further investment in food processing facilities, and a new Orangery currently under construction to expand its tearoom offering.

A Steady Climb from Family Farm to Regional Landmark

The farm was purchased in 1995 by a young couple who had relocated from Lancashire, aiming to establish a business during a period marked by agricultural uncertainty.

Early efforts included door-to-door meat sales and evening butchery sessions. Planning permission for a permanent shop was granted in 1999, with the main farm shop opening in 2001 despite delays caused by the foot and mouth outbreak.

The farm shop part of Mainsgill (Image: MALCOLM WARNE) Diversification played a key role in the shop’s success, with each phase of expansion—2006, 2007, and 2014—adding new areas for food retail, gifts, and customer seating.

Customer Reviews Highlight Broad Appeal

The farm shop is widely reviewed online, with customers frequently commenting on the scale and variety on offer.

On TripAdvisor, Mainsgill holds an average rating above 4.5 from hundreds of reviewers.

Comments include:

• “Huge, well-stocked farm shop. Very good choice of fresh veg, meats and a delicatessen counter.”
• “Great place to stop on a long journey. There’s something for everyone—snacks, pies, cheese, clothing.”
• “It’s not just a shop—it’s a day out,” one visitor wrote, referencing the presence of livestock including camels, alpacas and ostriches, as well as a lambing shed.

The on-site animals, initially introduced to engage visiting families, have become a defining feature of the site, often cited in reviews as a key reason for stopping.

Long-Term Vision Includes Sustainability

In addition to retail and hospitality growth, Mainsgill continues to expand its agricultural footprint.

The produce at Mainsgill (Image: ANDY LAMB) The family now manages over 1,200 acres of land—up from 57 in 1995—and rear their own sheep and cattle.

In 2022, they became tenants of a neighbouring farm, allowing them to grow more of the feed used on-site, reducing reliance on external supply chains.

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The farm shop also adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering a food delivery service to local communities while the tearoom and gift shop remained closed.

Work is currently underway on a new Orangery, which will add further indoor seating and a dog-friendly area.

The addition follows a string of post-pandemic investments aimed at accommodating higher visitor numbers and improving the site’s facilities.