A morning at the farm

Yesterday morning, with the sky blue and the sun shining, we headed to Ballylagan Organic Farm. Situated just outside the pretty village of Straid, approximately 20 minutes drive from Belfast and set in lovely countryside, the farm rears livestock and grows vegetables using organic methods. In fact, it was the first farm in County Antrim to achieve organic certification from the Soil Association. Since then, it has also opened an organic farm shop and a tea room.

We arrived late morning and as we made our way up the daffodil lined driveway, a farmhouse came in to view behind the trees.  It was the perfect setting really for what felt like the first proper day of spring.

We left our car in the small car park and headed first for the farm shop. Although we are not regular buyers of organic food, we did manage nevertheless to make quite a few purchases – meat, dairy, vegetables and last, but not least, chocolate ! Everything was beautifully displayed, the sunshine showing off the fruit and vegetables to their best.

The sight and smell of all the food was making us feel a bit peckish, so we headed then for the tea room (any excuse really !).  Located inside a traditional farmhouse with a modern extension at the rear, it was already quite busy but we found a table just as a group of hungry cyclists arrived in behind us. Hubby chose a mushroom omelette while I went for the more decadent option of French toast (with bacon and maple syrup), and we sat there for a good hour, enjoying the food and the sunshine streaming through the windows.

Having fuelled up for the day, I was eager to get back outside again and wander around the garden. With my camera in tow, I captured a few more pictures of this rural idyll on a beautiful spring morning. It made for a lovely start to the weekend.

We really enjoyed our first visit here. It had a little bit of everything really – organic food, a cosy tea room and beautiful surroundings. You can even stay in the guest house ! A bit of a hidden gem, off the beaten track but well worth a visit.

For more information, you can learn more at the Ballylagan Organic Farm website.

Hope you have a lovely Sunday while the sun shines x