With the sun shining more and more we are really looking forward to the summer. Tea From The Manor’s Charlotte Green spoke to James Bulmer, Manager at Kenyon Hall Farm to find out what they have in store for us over the next few months. 

Kenyon Hall Farm has been run by the same family since before 1500 and is currently farmed by husband and wife Tod and Barbara. They established the pick your own enterprise which Charlotte enjoyed last year when she picked some incredible corn. She said 'it was so much fun, tasted amazing and it was cheaper than the shops! Plus it hadn’t travelled miles, arriving wrapped in plastic!'

As well as being a working farm the family also have the Farm Shop which was opened 10 years ago and is managed by Tod and Barbara’s son James, with their eldest son Simon managing the horticultural side of the business. It’s a real family effort, something which we, at Tea From The Manor, love!

The Farm Shop sells a lot of produce made on the farm, including their own jams, chutneys and popular fruit infused gins! The other items are all locally sourced which Kenyon Hall Farm is very proud of, and rightly so! Organic meat comes from Mrs Forster in St Helens, eggs come from Croft and the tea, we are proud to say comes from Tea From The Manor!

Charlotte: I can not wait to get back to Kenyon Hall Farm on a beautifully sunny day and see children enjoying the playground and the flowers in full bloom. What are you most looking forward to this summer?

We’re looking forward to our fruit and veg picking season which begins in June with our strawberries, and runs through the summer with raspberries, blackberries, peas, onions and more! Our Maize Maze will also be back from late July with a new fun theme for 2021.

 Charlotte: I can't wait to pick my own fruit and veg this summer! I'm heading over as soon as possible, what exciting things do you have planned for May that we can enjoy?

May is all about our plant centre, which will be at its peak in April and May. We’ll have a lovely selection of flowering plants, fruit & veg plants and over 150 varieties of herbs and our friendly, green-fingered team are always on hand if you need any help and advice.

Charlotte: I definitely need some advice, I'm notorious for not being able to keep a plant alive! Other than brilliant tips for gardening why else should people visit Kenyon Hall Farm?

Our mission is to help people fall in love with food again. Whether that’s enjoying local produce from the shop, picking your own fruit from our fields or indulging in a homemade cake (and the best local tea!) from the café. We’re all about fresh, local, seasonal and of course the best tasting food!

 Charlotte: I think that's exactly what people are looking for at the moment. I know I've been trying to buy more local produce and also supporting smaller businesses. Your incredible afternoon teas for two are available to pick up from the farm, how can they be ordered?

We’re currently offering an online click and collect service – just head to our website, place your order and we’ll have it all ready for you to enjoy the next day!

Charlotte: It looks so good! We're so proud to serve you with tea! Do you have favourite a Tea From The Manor and why?

It has to be a classic English Breakfast as it’s the perfect accompaniment to our afternoon teas – we always include two silky teabags with our afternoon teas for two!

Charlotte: Such a perfect accompaniment! Other than the English Breakfast being a great partner to your afternoon teas is there any other reason you use Tea From The Manor?

We love that you’re as passionate about tea as we are about local food and drink! It also means a lot to us that you source your tea leaves responsibly and always choose the best quality. It’s be an absolute pleasure to work with you for nearly a decade!

Charlotte: Thank you so much for your kind words. We've loved developing our relationship over that time and growing together. I can't believe its been almost a decade!! We wish you all the best for the summer and the rest of the year, we'll see you soon!