Blacker Hall Farm Shop opened in October 1999. It was a dream of John Garthwaite’s to sell their home reared, high quality meat direct to the public. Blacker Hall is now run by John’s son Edward, and his wife Cheryl, who continue his passion for fresh, seasonal and local food.
Today, more than 75% of everything sold is produced or prepared on-site by a team of around 130 people, with the balance coming from a wide range of local farmers and producers.

Blacker Hall holds more than 60 individual product awards for home-produced food, including 10 Great Taste Awards and England’s Best Roast Beef (Eblex George Awards), confirming the outstanding quality of the produce on offer.
In 2014, it has also been voted Best Farm Shop on three separate occasions twice nationally, by FARMA and at the Farm Business Food and Farming Awards, and also by readers and a panel of expert judges from Yorkshire Life Magazine.

##‘It’s all about food’
‘It’s all about food’ at Blacker Hall Farm, and not just any food – it’s local, award-winning and made by a team of people dedicated to quality and tradition. The Garthwaite family’s enterprise is an extension of the family farm where they have been rearing livestock in the Calder Grove area of Wakefield for generations.
Just off Denby Dale Road, on the outskirts of Wakefield, Blacker Hall Farm Shop is a bustling hive of activity. It is now in it’s 16th year, and also boasts The Barn Cafe, The Gift House, and an on-site florist.
##Blacker Hall is a must visit farm shop
When FARMA awarded Blacker Hall Best farm Shop, judges commented, ‘To win one of the FARMA awards you have to be very good. Blacker Hall Farm Shop is just that. Not only did the judges experience that, but the secret shopper report all contestants have to go through showed that every customer is treated with great customer care and a wonderful array of meat from the family’s farm. Blacker Hall is a must visit farm shop for anyone who believes in great food with a great provenance.’
There is a craft Bakery on site and a dedicated team of expert Butchers who make the mouth-watering array of fresh food including bread, cakes, quiches, sausages, burgers, ready to cook homemade meals, soups, dry cured bacon, and the list goes on! Over 60 of the homemade products sold at The Farm Shop are award-winning, including 10 Great Taste Awards and England’s Best Roast Beef (Eblex George Awards), confirming the outstanding quality of the food on offer.

The Barn Café
The Barn Café opened about five years ago, and serves freshly made breakfasts, light snacks, lunches and Afternoon and Cream Teas, all made with produce sourced primarily from The Farm Shop. The menu changes seasonally, and includes daily specials, taking advantage of the best quality, local and fresh produce every day.

The team at Blacker Hall work to uphold key values:

LOCAL – It’s not just the meat that’s sourced from the family farm or other local farms rearing animals to the same high standards, but the flour in the cakes and bread is milled in Yorkshire and the free range eggs are from Selby. Seasonal vegetables are sourced locally, including rhubarb from Wakefield’s very own ‘Rhubarb Triangle’. All of this means that 90% of sales are generated from truly, local food, and more than 75% of everything sold is produced or prepared on-site.
EXPERT – The dedicated team at Blacker Hall win awards for their produce, all created with great passion. There is always a member of the team on hand to offer expert advice, product information, cooking recommendations and serving suggestions. Blacker Hall also works with Yorkshire TV Chef, Stephanie Moon, as a Development Consultant – creating new products from the local and fresh produce that’s available to buy at The Farm Shop. These new products feature on the Deli, Shop Floor or Butchery, but they ensure that customers are always treated to something new to try, that’s easy to prepare and great quality.
GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE – Customers are at the heart of the operation, and as well as being well looked after in The Farm Shop, Blacker Hall has a dedicated expert sourcing less well known fine wines that deliver great taste and best value for The Wine Loft. Along with English sparkling wines and locally made spirits, The Wine Loft offers a drink for every occasion!
SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT – The Gift House has a great range of unique gifts, as well as offering a service personalising cards. This can be done whilst you wait…or while you enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in The Barn Café.

Blacker Hall is a great one stop shop! Open every day, 7 days a week, except the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays.
Opening Times:
Farm Shop:
Monday to Friday 9.00am-6.00pm
Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am-5.00pm

The Gift House – as The Farm Shop, except closes at 5pm
The Barn Café:
Monday to Friday 8.30am-6.00pm
Saturday 8.30am-5.00pm
Sunday 9.00am-5.00pm
(Last orders 30 minutes before closing.)