Lathcoats Farm Shop (and Coffee House) is one of the best farm shops in central Essex. They have a wide range of fruits and vegetables, plus locally produced meats, dairy and preserves.

Lathcoats also have extensive orchards with apples, plums, pears, cherries, redcurrants, blackberries, boysenberries, gooseberries and raspberries. You can also Pick Your Own. They have very well maintained raised strawberries too which are a pleasure to pick in the summer.

• Beehive Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8LX (see map below)
• Tel: 01245 353021
• info@eapples.co.uk
• http://www.eapples.co.uk/
• PYO map: www.eapples.co.uk/documents/map.pdf

Opening Times

• 9-5, Mon-Thu & Sat
• 9-6 Fri
• 10-4 Sundays 
• Closed Bank Holidays

Farm History

The farm dates back to the 14th Century – some parts of the farmhouse have been dated to the 1300’s.

The Taylor family have been running the farm since the early 1900’s. Lawrence Taylor was the first Taylor here, he bred Essex Saddlebacks and other livestock on a mixed farm and gradually converted most of the land to orchards. He continued to farm during the war and the government took photos to show that Britain could still farm and feed itself during the war,

Today the farm is run by Stephen and Philip Taylor, the third generation of Taylors. They have around 40 varieties of apple in the orchard, including the Essex apple D’Arcy Spice. Many other local fruit growers were forced out of business in the 1970’s when the French Golden Delicious apples became popular. Thankfully Lathcoats survive and later thrived.

The Bee Shed Coffee House

They have recently opened The Bee Shed Coffee House which serves hot and cold drinks (including beers and ciders), cakes, biscuits and hot food. Their bacon and sausage rolls are very good.

The coffee house has both indoor and outdoor seating. Indoors the cafe is decorated with photos which portray Lathcoats’ history. There is also a wood burner to keep it nice and warm in winter months.

The outside is well landscaped with flowers around the borders, and seating is divided into two parts, with sheltered seating near the cafe (shown in the photo) and open seating by the stables. There yard also has picnic benches if you wish to sit closer to the animals while you eat.

Toy Tractors and Farm Yard Animals

Lathcoats also have some farm yard animals which can be petted and sometimes fed (ask permission first). They include some donkeys in the stables next to the cafe, pigs and goats.

The yard also has a collection of toy tractors of various sizes for children and a well maintained (and clean) customer toilet. This is all free to use for customers, the tractors keep the children entertained while parents can have tea and scones or a giant sausage sandwich!

The Apprentice at Lathcoats

In May 2013 Lathcoats saw a team from The Apprentice visit while on one of their tasks.

In the episode called “Farm Shop“, Sir Alan Sugar sets the teams the task of opening their own farm shop. One team has the bright idea of visiting one of the best farm shops near London to learn how it is done. But do they win the task?

It was shown on Wednesday 22nd May 2013.

Location Map

They are officially in Galleywood as they are on the north side of Beehive Lane. But they serve Great Baddow so deserve to be on GreatBaddow.org.uk!

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