‘Off the beaten track’ farm shop near Peterborough where you can pick pumpkins and buy ‘top quality’ meat

Many of us have fond memories of coming home from school on a dark autumn afternoon to a plate of fresh, home-cooked food.

For those of a certain age, autumn and winter are synonymous with hearty meals such as stews, pies and broths that would, so our mothers told us, keep the cold away.

Those sorts of meals might not be as popular as they once were, but it’s a well known fact that eating plenty of meat and veg at this time of year helps to support immune system function against any nasty illnesses doing the rounds.

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You could, of course, purchase your fruit and veg from a supermarket, but if it's freshness you’re after, look no further than farm shops.

Most farm shops source their products directly from source, meaning customers can be assured that what they’re eating hasn’t travelled thousands of miles from another continent.

From sacks of potatoes to Brussels sprouts on the stalk, farm shops are your go-to place for veggie essentials that are guaranteed to warm the cockles at this time of year.

We’re just a few days away from Halloween, which means that many of the brilliant farm shops surrounding Peterborough have their own pumpkin patches where customers can get prepared for October 31.

Why you should visit Lincoln Farm Shop ahead of Halloween

Nestled deep in the Fenland countryside, Lincoln Farm Shop is by no means easy to reach on a cold, miserable autumn day, but that only adds to the intrigue of what some customers have described as a ‘hidden gem’.

Tucked away down Duncombe’s Road, just before Holloway’s Bridge, the shop is located on a working farm.

Away from the farm machinery scattered across the farm’s courtyard is a small shop with a range of quality meats and fresh produce.

During summer months the shop stocks fruit and veg including strawberries, tomatoes and runner beans, but at this time of year you’ll find cabbages, cauliflowers and potatoes.

The farm’s meat offering changes on a week-to-week basis, often including succulent sirloin steaks, sausages and beef joints.

In recent years Lincoln Farm has become known for its pumpkin patch, which is now open ahead of October 31.

The patch is usually open daily between 10am and 4pm, but it’s best to check the farm’s Facebook page ahead of your visit.

So, if you’ve got a spare afternoon in the lead up to Halloween, Lincoln Farm Shop is well worth a look.