Belvoir Castle has launched its first ever Estate Farm Shop and a high-end Brasserie at the Engine Yard artisan shopping village to showcase the best local produce from the Leicestershire estate.

A long held ambition of the Duchess of Rutland, a Farm Shop has been in the blueprint for the Engine Yard since the retail village opened in 2018 and will be an ethical and sustainable experience built on tradition, quality, passion and love for excellent food and drink.

The Farm Shop will source the highest quality, fresh and organic fruits, vegetables and groceries as well as freshly baked artisan bread on a daily basis directly from local growers and partners.

The new offer is being delivered in partnership with Wild Jacks, a local company that has its roots in farming, production and supply chain and is home to well-known Lincolnshire brands with a heritage in sustainability.

The Duchess said: "We have an abundance of wonderful produce on this estate and with the opening of our new farm shop, it is the perfect opportunity to create a farm to fork offer of locally sourced food and drink. Wild Jacks bring that unique element to help us develop an extra special, premium offering, with their experience in championing local produce.

"We are always looking to provide more reasons for people to spend a day at the Engine Yard and Castle and I am delighted that the Farm Shop will offer options that are not readily available anywhere else in the Vale and further strengthen the food offer across the whole retail village for both the local community and the day visitor."

Locally sourced produce and a wide range of specialty items will be available either in store or to pre-order including a range aimed at children including healthy smoothies, marshmallow packs to toast, dinosaur pasta and children friendly vegan sauces. The finest artisan breads will be baked daily inhouse with zero waste packaging options for loose product.

The farm shop will also offer a picnic hire service offering breakfast boxes and luxury hampers for those wishing to stay and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Alongside this new venture is the creation of the new Brasserie located on the upper floor of the Fuel Tank. The classic brasserie menu features appetisers, starters and mains all made inhouse using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Beef, lamb, pheasant, venison, duck and partridge will feature in the seasonal menu and there will be a monthly game dinner and paired wine night during the shooting season.

While the Fuel Tank cafebar on the ground floor retains its informal and rustic feel, the upstairs Brasserie has been transformed into a fine dining setting to offer a premium and memorable high-end experience for a special occasion with a table reserved for all diners for pre and post drinks in the Balloon Bar to create a complete evening offer for couples, families and friends.

It comes alongside the relaunch of the Engine Yard outdoor kitchens to bring a refreshed and revitalised food offer to the artisan shopping village. Also on the horizon is 'The Duchess Parlour' set to offer champagne, oyster bar and high tea.

The new additions are designed to complement the existing high quality food retail offer from The Country Victualler, Jorge Artisan Foods, Cocoa Amore and and Cherizena and of course Cafe Allez just a few steps away to create a must visit destination for foodies, whether eating in or taking away.

The Engine Yard is a ten-minute drive from the A52, 15 minutes from Grantham and Melton Mowbray, 40 minutes from Nottingham, and easily accessible from the A1. The Engine Yard is open seven days a week.

To keep up to date on the latest news from the Engine Yard, visit the website: www.engineyardbelvoir.com