I love finding new places in the Local Area. Weirdly enough, I actually get most of my recommendations from social media nowadays, and Blue Tin Produce was one that just kept creeping up. I saw yummy cakes, amazing coffee, a cool countryside vibe… What more could a girl want?
Blue Tin Produce | Coffee and Cake in Ipsden
Getting to Blue Tin Produce
Getting to Blue Tin Produce is perhaps the most challenging part. It is very much off the beaten track as it is a working farm.
The best way to get there is from either Wallingford or Reading, down the A4074. As the main village approaches, turn down the road called ‘The Street’ and make a right at the fork in the road. Continue up this single-track lane, dodging the potholes and pheasants as you go, until you see the signs.
I should say that the single track lane is exactly that. There are a few small places to stop, but the majority of it is quite wild so make sure that you go slowly.
The Setting
The setting of this place is absolutely stunning. As I said, it is a working farm, so you will be greeted by friendly pigs as you pull up down the drive. There is a large car park just next to the main seating area, so you should find a space easily.
All of the seating is outside, set under a large wooden structure. It feels almost quite rustic American; as if you have gone into the Wild West. There is a working fire and all of the furniture goes with the wooden and rustic feel. You do feel as if it is the cool place to be.
You order your drinks and food from the main bar. As it is a small establishment, there is a limited selection on offer. However, the homemade cakes are delicious and incredibly generous in terms of size. There are pastries and bread from the local bakery, Imma (amazing if you haven’t tried it) and also a handful of small hot dishes.
Next to the seating area is a small farm shop, specialising in local produce. You can find loads of amazing things here, ranging from food to homeware. It is certainly worth a visit and you can find some gorgeous pieces of local art here too.
Another thing to watch out for are the amazing events that take place here. Make sure that you ask around whilst you are there as these events are always worth attending.
The Food and Drink
As I said, there is a limited selection of food here, but all of it is lovely. Whenever we go we always order a large slice of their homemade cakes, which change daily. It is excellent value for money and they all taste divine. My personal favourite is their caramel banana cake; it pairs perfectly with the coffee.
On the topic of coffee, you can get takeaways from here as well. It is really nice and expertly made. You can even find ice lattes here in the summer months, which is far better than going to Costa.
I would say that if you are looking for brunch, this probably isn’t for you. However, the Ox Shed is not far down the road.
Final Thoughts | Blue Tin Produce
Blue Tin Produce is easily one of my favourite settings in the area. I love the vibe here and could sit down and drink coffee up on this hill each day. It also feels really local and friendly, something that is a hard thing to find nowadays. If you are after a coffee in a chilled place on a crisp morning, this is the place for you.
