We are a high quality food retailer situated in the Vale of York on the A166 between Gate Helmsley and Stamford Bridge. This parcel of land has successfully grown soft fruit and vegetables in summer for the last 20 years. The Machin family have seen the site grow from the original wooden hut, with a table, on the side of the road to the fully fledged farmshop that it is today.
The Balloon Tree Farmshop opened in April 2004 and has enjoyed a successful run of awards since opening. Jill and Digby Machin are still heavily involved in the business, however their sons Matthew and Will now over see the managers on a day to day basis.
We have been shopping at the balloon tree for about three years now. The produce is always high qualitity and the bakery superb. The meat tends to be quite expensive but is always good. The chicken is usually the best value for money. Would highly reccommend it to anyone.
We often visit the Balloon tree at different times of the year.
In Spring they grow excellent Rhubarb and asparagus, leading on to Strawberries, soft fruit and pulling peas and beans in summer. There is usually plenty you can pick ourself or if you are short of time you can buy ready picked.
This year we have particularly enjoyed the giant red onions they have in stock at the moment, very sweet and mild plus the range of Squashes they have grown.
Top tip is to but the jamming fruit they sell that is ready picked. We have made a brilliant selection of Raspberry and Strawberry Jam at bargain prices!
The shop also sells locally produced free range meat and dairy products and they have their own free range eggs too. they make the best scotch eggs in Yorkshire too!
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leo (24.12.08)
