We first discovered this out-of-the-way store as we narrowly missed a kamikaze pheasant on our way back to Bibury Farm Barns. It proved a welcomed find; its liquor store is conveniently located in front of its on-site distillery. Inside, you’ll find award-winning tipples and rarer sips, including tequila by George Clooney and The Rock, and mezcal with a worm shoved inside. To the right, you’ll find the traditional farm shop brimming with goodies. Fresh tagliatelle sits beside just-pummelled pesto; juicy slabs of venison can be found in the fridge; sunburnt-red beefsteak tomatoes stacked in a trough framed by rows of roughly tied asparagus (or whatever is in season). Can’t see eggs on the shelves? Ask the friendly staff and they’ll happily call around to see if any of the neighbouring farms have what you’re after.

Back in 2017, one family set themselves the task of transforming this derelict former fruit farm into a swish, sustainably minded food hall stacked with shelves of Cotswold grown produce – they’re on track to becoming 100-per-cent plastic-free by the end of 2020. As you enter, you’ll be greeted with clusters of micro-kitchens including a delicatessen, a grocer, a butcher, fishmonger and, most necessarily, a chocolatier and an on-hand fermenter, all eager to discuss the origin of their goods. It’s kind of like a supermarket smorgasbord. Pop-ups took place during summer, a click-and-contactless-collect system operates from the humongous car park and “bundles” including fruit, veg and sweets can be added to baskets – we’ve got our eye on the “treat yourself” iteration with Vin Neuf wine, local beer or cider, a Paul-Hollywood-handshake-worthy sponge cake, a slab of chocolate and a cheese selection.

Limiting food miles and encouraging shoppers to bring their own containers in a bid to reduce plastic waste are just some of the sustainable initiatives that the Pinker family, which has farmed the land here for over a century, have put into practice at Frocester Fayre. Alongside the abattoir, butcher and on-site kitchen, the farm shop stocks local artisanal products – tempting tray bakes, steaming sausage rolls straight out the oven and plenty of fresh veg jostle for space. On our visit, we picked up the Netherend Farm butter and some ready-chopped cloves from The Garlic Farm Isle of Wight with which to rustle up some DIY garlic bread later. The result? Rustic but delicious, especially when used to mop up the juice from the family’s bougie ready-meal lasagne. M&S Dine in for Two pales in comparison.

The Harrods Food Hall of the Cotswolds and affectionately dubbed “Teddy’s” by frequent shoppers, Teddington Stores specialises in luxe, local produce and plonk. Meat is dry-aged using Himalayan salt boxes, there’s a wine selection brimming with prized tipples and a deli counter littered with pâtés, smoked salmon and cooked meats just crying out for a tapas tasting session. Alongside the meat reared from local herds and the rainbow assortment of produce, there’s a section devoted to self-care. Hydrating skincare comes from The Little Soap Company, Cotswold Lavender provides meadow-fresh bath bombs and 100 Acres products will leave you feeling primped, preened and pampered after brisk walks in the countryside. Look out for the selection of paintings created by local artists, too.

Pitching up on the site of an old petrol station, Jolly Nice is the kind of farm shop you’ll likely spot from the other side of the A-road and do an immediate U-turn to visit. We say: save the car a service and schedule in a pit stop when planning your itinerary. Camouflaged in wood cladding with patches of plants and wildflowers out the front, Jolly Nice is, frankly, pretty nice. Most of the suppliers are family friends – Mellisa from nearby Woefuldane Organic Dairy delivers milk, butter and cream from her family farm – while Harriet, the founder’s daughter, can be found rustling up home-baked roast vegetable quiches, orange cakes and quince tarts. There’s a drive-through delivery service that will pop a cup of joe (beans come from James Gourmet Coffee in Ross-on-Wye) and a brownie through your window. The shop may have started life selling potatoes but the ice cream here really shouldn’t be overlooked. We have been known to demolish an entire tub…