Popular Isle of Wight cafe served up tasty local produce

This unapologetic working dairy farm has one of the longest-established farm shops and cafes on the Island.

Bluebells Breakfast is served all day — and when we enquired whether it came with beans, we were immediately offered an alternative of grilled Isle of Wight tomatoes on the vine, a superior option.

Veal pie and root vegetables, with fries, at Bluebells in Wootton. (Image: Matt and Cat)

It was splendid — two meaty sausages made by the farm's own butcher, and one huge, round flavoursome mushroom.

This was a commendable breakfast at a reasonable price.

Top of the bill, unusually, was the toast and butter. Standard sliced granary bread was fine, but the butter was extraordinary. Made with Briddlesford's own Guernsey milk, this distinctive butter has a deep yellow colour and unctuous texture.

Served at just the right temperature it smothered the brown toast to make the most moreish toast and butter you can imagine. Yes, you can buy this butter in the shop. And yes, we did.

Briddlesford veal pie comes with seasonal vegetables and fries, and a generous jugful of hot, rich, brown gravy, which was enough for all three elements of the meal.

The veg was steamed and soft — tasty and not watery.

The pie was stuffed with tender veal, and a rich, vinous sauce that spilled out when the crisp pastry was opened.

This was a hearty lunch.

We finished off with a browse at the extensive display of cakes.

Recognising the Mr Blobby biscuits, we noted that some of these were from Newport's Scarrots Lane Bakery, and our well-informed waiter explained that others were from Littletown Kitchen — just a few yards up the road — and some even made at Bluebells itself.

A full English breakfast, served up by Bluebells. (Image: Matt and Cat)

Provenance is of paramount importance at Bluebells — perhaps not surprising as they generate so much outstanding produce themselves.

We settled on sharing an eccles cake, which, warmed through, was the perfect end to our meal.

On our way out we nipped into the farm shop, then stopped to coo over calves dozing peacefully in the hay.

This is certainly a great cafe that does some of the best local food you can get on the Island — but it's also a real farm that feels genuine and welcoming. Well worth a visit at any time of year.