Exmoor picnic feast!
Up on Exmoor for the day? Make sure to stop by The Old Bank in Williton to pick up some delicious foodie treats for your picnic!
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to go and visit Sarah and the team at The Old Bank in Williton. This bustling deli is a treasure trove of foodie treats with a large deli counter and plenty of hot and cold food options which are perfect for taking up on the moors.
Sarah and Ivor opened The Old Bank in 2024 after moving premises. They originally owned and ran Lydeard Farm Shop in Bishops Lydeard but the pandemic combined with increasing base costs gave them little option but to downsize.
I never went to the old premises but if this is a downsize then I can only imagine what space the farm shop had!
When I asked Sarah what she loves most about running the deli she said “I love food, I love the vibe here, interacting with customers, it’s great.” She is passionate about providing the best quality food for her customers. Let’s have a look at how you can create the perfect Exmoor picnic!
First things first – the deli counter which is bursting with everything you could want in a picnic basket!
The deli counter is the first thing to greet you as you walk into the deli. At one end it is jam packed with quiches, tarts and, on the day I was there, a frittata. Many of the items are handmade on site but some are bought in from selected suppliers including us!
Dietary requirements are a big thing here and there were gluten free and dairy free options galore. There is truly something for everyone which is great for Exmoor picnic-ers!
Of course I made straight for the cheese section. As you can see there are plenty of local options including Devon favourites like Sharpham and Devon Blue alongside traditional Cheddar and Stilton. When I asked Sarah which were her bestselling cheeses she told me “definitely Montagnolo and probably the Cornish Gouda”. Both are great cheeses and the Montagnolo is fast becoming one of our bestsellers as well. The Cornish Gouda is smooth and creamy and it’s depth of flavour is incredible.
As you can see there are plenty of cheeses to tempt you and make your picnic that much more special.
Olives are the star of the show!
Sarah is one of our bestselling customers for our award-winning West Country Olives!
When I spoke with her about them she said they were “the star of the show, absolutely great!” which was lovely to hear. As you can see Sarah keeps the olives well stocked and likes to mix up the flavours. On the day I visited the options included Basil Pesto, Feta Fusion, Rosemary & Garlic and more! The set up is simple and customers can help themselves to however many they like and pay per weight. Again this is a great option to take home with you or elevate your Exmoor picnic!
It was wonderful to see the passion and vibrancy that Sarah and the team bring to The Old Bank. This shines through onto the produce that they stock and the knowledge and expertise they show their customers.
Click here if you’d like to find out more about our products or here if would like to become a customer. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you to Sarah and the team for having me! If you’re ever up on Exmoor make sure to stop off here first. Then you can stock up on your picnic suppliers ready for a day of exploring!
