Scoop of the day arrives at farm shop
SWEET TREATS MADE FROM FAMILY’S OWN COWS
THERE are a number of places to buy freshly-made ice cream in Leicestershire – and that now includes the recently-opened Dreamy Cow farm shop.
Located at Culloden Farm in Twycross, the shop has been opened by the Thorp family, who live at the dairy, beef and arable farm.
The shop is run by Jo Thorp and her dad, Tony, with the close support of Jo’s sisters Tori and Kitty and their mum, Alison.
Customers can have their ice creams while gazing out at the countryside – and the herd of British Friesian and dairy shorthorn cows, whose milk has been used to make the ice cream.
The regularly changing ice cream flavours include caramel crunch, chunky chocolate, raspberry pavlova and whisky and ginger.
There are also sorbets, including blackcurrant and limoncello.
Customers can buy scoops of ice cream in a cone or tub to eat then and there, or buy a large take-home tub.
Milkshakes, made with the ice cream, are also available.
The Thorp family have been making ice cream since 2007, after falling milk prices made them decide to change direction.
They decided they wanted to diversify and become closer to the consumers, providing a product the public would trust and enjoy.
Cheese and yoghurt production were also considered, but they said they felt there was a gap in the market at the time for a Leicestershire ice cream.
It was originally under the brand Gopsall Fresh as, at that point, the tenanted farm was part of the Crown’s Gopsall Estate.
However, after they were given the opportunity to buy the farm in 2016, they decided it was the perfect time to rebrand with a new look and name.
“As well as milk from our cows, we use egg yolks from our next-door neighbour’s farm in the more delicate flavours such as vanilla and whiskey and ginger.
“We try to use wholesome local ingredients wherever possible, including fresh local strawberries and locally produced lemon curd,” said Jo.
The ice cream was initially sold to farm shops, cafes and restaurants and via a food trailer which the family would take to events and shows, selling scoops and milkshakes during the summer months.
However, during lockdown, this stopped.
Talking about how Covid affected the business, Jo said: “We found that our business suddenly changed overnight and although we temporarily lost sales through cafes, restaurants and shows, farm shop sales shot up.
“Last year, we decided to organise some pop-up sales on the farm with the trailer on hotter days as it wasn’t being used at shows, and we were pleasantly surprised at how popular they were. It provided a safe and enjoyable activity for families to enjoy ice cream and fresh milkshakes while watching the cows, with beautiful farm views.
“We decided we wanted to create something more permanent, with structured opening hours, to make it easier for customers to visit.
“It was a really exciting day when we finally opened the shop on the August bank holiday, as on the same day we also went to our first food show in two years following the disruption of Covid.”
The Dreamy Cow shop is open on Saturdays only, from 10am until 4pm.