Our Story
Over 30 years in the making the Strawberry Fields brand remains true to its roots and original core farming activities...
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THE PICK YOUR OWN STRAWBERRY FIELDS OPENED IN 1990 AND HAVE BEEN AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS SINCE
It was not an uncommon sight to see customers walking out of the weigh and pay caravan weighted with buckets overflowing with ripe bright red strawberries. This was all down to the care and pride that the Mounce family and their team have invested into all aspects of their products and customer service. Many people from the area will have sampled the delicious strawberries which have been a feature of Lifton for over the past 20 years – now becoming known as ‘Lifton strawberries’.
Here's a photo of Jo mOUNCE WITH OUR BARROW WHICH IS STILL USED IN OUR FARM SHOP TO THIS DAY!
The strawberry field’s produce became a familiar site on the barrow outside the Mounce family home which became a feature in the heart of the village. To the delight of local people, it was laden with homegrown produce, Adam's free range eggs and the famous Lifton strawberries. The barrow remained there for the next 5 years and was laden with a range of seasonal produce.
the beginning of our farm shop
From this point, the combined success of the farm barrow and the PYO led to the inevitable next step – a farm shop…..but where do you start with what seems like a good idea over a cup of tea? After numerous planning meetings, discussions with environmental agency, builders and not forgetting the day to day running of the farming business, on 1st June 2002, the doors of the Lifton Farm Shop opened to the public for the first time.
in 2005 the first Lifton Pasty was made!
The first homemade Lifton Farm Shop pasty was made. Using Jo Mounce's secret Cornish recipe passed down from her late mum, Avice who knew that we would now be making thousands of these each month!
Here is a throwback photo of Laura Mounce with Avice making our famous Lifton pasties.
Expansion...
5 years on, the farm shop was in need of an extension due to high demand in the restaurant and a greater selection of home produced goods to display in the shop. The two wings either side of the original shop were built.
In 2009 the function suite was built to cater for private events, community meetings and primarily for more covers in the restaurant. This included building a feature bar, landscaped garden, high spec toilets and an extension of the open kitchen.
oUR CATTLE
In 2008 our Devon suckler heard was bought and our prime beef was home reared on our farm on the banks of the River Lyd.
Fast forward to 2023 we now raise Ruby Red cattle. Our Devon Red Ruby Cattle are very strong and hardy animals. They are noted for their good fertility, quality beef, easy calving and excellent disease and parasite resistance. They are very docile in nature, have good temperament and are very easily managed.
Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do, so rest assured our cattle are well cared. This is why we are Red Tractor Certified.
Going green
The focus to become 'greener' firstly saw solar panels being introduced to the farm to help produce the electricity needed to power the ovens and farm shop.
family events
From humble begins with pick your own strawberries our event calendar has grown each year to include new and experimental events that are fun for all the family. From the ever-popular Pumpkin Fest, Maize Maze, pick your own sunflowers, wildflowers, tulips, lavender, and daffodils to our newer events; The Christmas Experience, Big Machine Week, and The Baby Lamb Experience.
Our Award winning farm shop and restaurant
Through ensuring the quality of the food, produce and customer service the restaurant is very nearly always buzzing and full with happy customers and the farm shop is bursting with home grown and home reared produce with freshness a key factor. The 200 acre farm is devoted to the shop and the core activities continue to stock the shop and provide ingredients for the restaurant just as it did over 20 years ago.