Recently, we have become members of a private garden called The Newt, located just outside Castle Cary in Somerset. On our first visit we were debating about getting breakfast there, but we thought the prices were a bit on the steep side, so we decided to look for places nearby. That’s where we came across this beautiful farm called Higher Farm.
Our Review:
“We left home, setting the sat nav to Higher Farm, with a blind eye on what to expect. We didn’t know what the farm was going to be like, or what the farm even served for breakfast. We got to Castle Cary and started going down some narrow country lanes…that’s when you know you’re in the proper countryside of Somerset! We got to the site and followed the long gravel track up to the visible restaurant. First impressions were ‘wow!’, the place must have been renovated recently as the buildings were clad in fresh-looking timber, giving off modern-eco vibes. The whole farm seemed to be explorable, so after your breakfast, you could feed some of the animals, check out the ducks and see where all the vegetables are growing…they even have a small lake you can canoe on!
We got to the venue, got shown to our table by a friendly member of staff and checked out the menu. First thing to notice is the price, it is a bit more on the expensive side, but it is very clear that as much as possible comes straight from the farm. We both decided to go for the English Breakfast, and our friend went for the bacon butty. The ambience inside was very cosy, with a chalkboard showing what is currently in season that they’re growing. There is only about 10 tables inside, but they also have outdoor seating for those sunny days.
Our plates arrived, and my first opinion was that the plates looked like they were hand-thrown on a pottery wheel. My second opinion was just how good the food looked! The breakfast mushroom was perfectly charred and woody. The streaky bacon had just the right amount of crisp. The sausage, chunky and meaty, clearly a butcher’s sausage. The fried egg was cooked to pure perfection, and the black pudding was seasoned intricately. The slab of hash brown was crispy, tasty and yet not oily at all. The standout, believe it or not, was the homemade baked beans and the slab of sourdough toast. What I decided to do was to eat the English Breakfast, and then have beans on toast after using my baked beans and sourdough toast!
The service throughout was always friendly and attentive, and we are always happy to pay the extra charge for service as they really do go above and beyond. We’ve been there twice now for breakfast, and one day we will return for an evening meal. So if you’re in the area, maybe you’re visiting The Newt as well, or maybe you’ve just got off at Castle Cary train station, you must visit this little farm!
Pros & Cons:
- Eco-friendly farm✅
- Top quality produce✅
- Friendly, attentive staff✅
- Busy at peak times❌
- Limited seating❌
Gourmet Gauge:
Higher Farm serves excellent quality food with top-tier presentation. The service is fantastic, with a friendly, attentive team. The price is on the steeper side, but for the quality of the food and the local ingredients, it is worth the price.
Taste: 10/10 🥄
Presentation: 9/10 🍽️
Ambience: 8/10 🕯️
Service: 9/10 🧑🍳
Value for Money: 9/10💰
Total: 45/50 Hall of Fame Member!
You can find “Higher Farm” at the following location:
Higher Farm
Shepton Mallet
BA4 6QF
You can find them on their website and on social media below: https://www.higher-farm.co.uk/
🌍 Over to You, Fellow Taste Trekkers!
Have you ever found yourself exploring Somerset with a craving for good food? Or maybe you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem during your own travels through Somerset? We’d love to hear your foodie adventures and recommendations—drop us a comment below and let’s swap stories!
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Taste Trekker so you never miss a bite of our culinary adventures. You can also follow us on Instagram @thetastetr3kker for behind-the-scenes snaps, foodie finds, and our travel tales in real time.
Until next time—keep trekking, keep tasting, and always stay curious.
The Taste Trekker 
Leave a comment