The story of Daylesford Organic began 40 years ago, when founder Carole Bamford decided to change her family’s farmland to organic and sustainable farming to help nurture her family’s health. Today the 3500acres award winning Farm has grown into one of the UK’s most sustainable (and famous!) organic farms with a Michelin Green Star Restaurant. Nestled within the picturesque Cotswolds countryside, it offers an idyllic retreat that seamlessly blends luxury with rustic charm, whether for a spot of shopping, a spa day, or a complete staycation.

“Back in 2007, I had the opportunity to spend 5 amazing days at the Daylesford farm while training to open the first Daylesford Franchise in Munich Germany. It was a life changing experience for me at that time, which gave me the opportunity to deeply understand everything around organic farming and healthy living, sustainability and living with respect to nature and seasonality. To understand the importance of food in it’s simplicity and freshness without it being fussy and flashy, and the importance of eating and living with the seasons in a way that is balanced with our body and mindful for our planet. It was an experience that shaped all my current views and beliefs around slow living, so I was really looking forward to going back 18 years later and spending 2 nights there.

FARMSHOP

Upon arrival the first thing you see is the Farmshop with a colourful entrance of stacked crates filled with fresh fruit and vegetables harvested daily from the Market Garden. Enter to go through the butchery with pasture-raised meat from the farm, artisan bread from the bakery, award winning cheese from the creamery and fridges filled with fresh juices, smoothies and soups.

RESTAURANTS & CAFE

Nearly everything that is sold in the shop and served in the café and restaurant comes straight from the Market Garden, Bakery and Creamery. And anything that isn’t made there is sourced from artisan suppliers who have the same ethos in terms of quality and sustainability. Perfect for breakfast, a hearty lunch, botanical drinks and puddings or a wood fired pizza with a glass of Leoube wine, you can have it all.

HOME SHOP

Next to the farmshop you’ll find the Home shop. Beautiful tabletop collections, candles, table linen, gifts, toys and household goods, all made by carefully selected skilled artisans who share the Daylesford passion for natural materials and sustainability.

GARDEN & ANTIQUES SHOP

The newest addition is this amazing space where you can shop seasonal plants and garden essentials on the ground floor, while the mezzanine offers a heavenly showroom of all the antique and special handmade pieces that can be found in the Daylesford cottages and pub rooms.

BAMFORD SPA

Last but not least, is the Bamford wellness Spa. We had the chance of spending a whole day in this heavenly space which features a 25 meter swimming pool, immersive hydro pool, herbal sauna and steam room, state-of-the-art gym, indoor-and-out functional fitness, mind and movement based studio classes (from reformer Pilates to Qi Gong); and the Bamford brand’s signature face and body therapies. Combining the best of modern and ancient therapies it offers a variety of custom facial and body treatments to restore your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Of course I couldn’t leave without having the signature Detox and Glow Facial and a magical Crystal Healing Session with the wonderful Lynn Jinks.

I left Daylesford with a sense of deeper connection and absolute peace, and a reminder that inspiration can be found in places and around people with values we hold close to us. Most of all I left with a deep understanding of what ignited my passion to start Istorja and bring a piece of this home.

*Tip: Do spend a night in one of the traditional stone cottages, each one meticulously designed to reflect Daylesford’s design and core values and experience fully the feeling of a home away from home.