Taste Britain: A Food Lovers Guide 2010

The onsite Alder Tree dairy run by one of the Hardingham's daughters makes outstanding ices.  The list of contents is a joy to read: fruit (comprising at least a third & mostly grown on the farm), cream and sugar (but not too much).  Irresistible flavour combinations such as rhubarb with stem ginger and gooseberry and elderflower have been praised variously by Nigella and Nigels (Lawson & Slater).  The label 'prize-winning' can be used indiscriminately, but the Alder Tree gooseberry is truly deserving - last year it earned a rare 3 stars at the Guild of Fine Foods Great Taste Awards, the 'Oscars of the Food Industry'  Buy a small tub in the shop to enjoy in the lovely laid back courtyard.