Welbeck Farm Shop Heads to the House of Lords for the Countryside Alliance Awards 2026.
Members of the Welbeck Farm Shop team travelled to London on Wednesday, 8 July, for the national final of the Countryside Alliance Awards 2026, held at the House of Lords, where the Farm Shop was awarded Highly Commended in the UK-wide awards. The visit marks a proud moment for Welbeck Farm Shop, which has been crowned Midlands Regional Champion in the Local Food/Drink category. The award recognises outstanding rural businesses that champion British food, farming, enterprise and heritage, with winners chosen through public nomination and voting before progressing to the national stage.
Often referred to as the ‘Rural Oscars’, the Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate the people and businesses that sit at the heart of rural life. For Welbeck Farm Shop, the recognition reflects not only the quality of its produce, but also its deep-rooted commitment to local suppliers, estate-grown ingredients and the wider food community at Welbeck.
Since opening in 2006, Welbeck Farm Shop has built a reputation as one of the region’s leading destinations for exceptional food and drink. Much of what appears on its shelves is sourced from, reared on, grown on or made at the Welbeck Estate, from estate meat and game to raw milk, artisan bread from Welbeck Bakehouse, ale from Welbeck Abbey Brewery and Stichelton blue cheese, made using milk from the estate’s pedigree dairy herd.
The Farm Shop’s success is also a celebration of the skilled producers, makers and growers who help shape Welbeck’s distinctive food offer. Together, they tell a positive story about rural enterprise, provenance and the enduring value of supporting local food systems.
Oliver Stubbins, Director at Welbeck Farm Shop, said: “We are humbled to be recognised by the respected judging panel of the Countryside Alliance. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Farm Shop team and the wonderful suppliers we work with. This is an award we were fortunate enough to have won eight years ago, and we are honoured to be heading back to such an amazing venue with so many other fantastic rural businesses and to be highly commended in the national awards is absolutely incredible.”
Representing the Midlands at the House of Lords, the occasion offered a moment to recognise the community behind the counter: the butchers, bakers, chefs, retail team, producers and suppliers whose knowledge, care and passion continue to make Welbeck Farm Shop a much-loved destination for food lovers across Nottinghamshire and beyond.
Although the Farm Shop was not named overall UK winner on the day, being Highly Commended at the national awards is a significant achievement and a reflection of the support shown by customers, visitors and the local community. It is also a fitting tribute to the Farm Shop’s long-standing commitment to celebrating the best of the countryside, from field to fork.
The UK-wide recognition places Welbeck Farm Shop among some of the finest rural businesses in the country and celebrates the dedication of the team and suppliers who help make it such a special part of the Welbeck Estate.
