Compton Mcrae in Wiltshire

The location of this establishment is strange because the shop/restaurant sits within what is essentially a business park in the middle of nowhere but it is not hard to find. The setting was ideal for a summer lunch with lots of variously covered areas to shelter from the sun or rain if it happens. Then you realise that all these covered areas are, in fact, the restaurant! I saw no evidence of indoor seating. The main seating area is fundamentally a plastic marquee attached to a shop unit and all the seats are picnic benches. They have an interesting menu, which changes regularly I understand, and it is obvious that this establishment is not trying be a full all ‘singing and dancing’ restaurant and they do make that clear. It uses locally sourced quality produce for Deli style light meals, specifically lunches, and also snacks. The people running it are personable, welcoming and efficient. We found them very helpful and attentive and the food was delicious. Overall, the food menu is a little overpriced I feel but not excessive. That said, a few dishes do seem “over the top’ for what they are. It is the shop where the prices are eyewatering expensive and I think they have gone too far. I can here them now saying that they are supporting local suppliers and that this comes at a cost but times are hard and I do truly believe they, or their suppliers, need to face reality as the pricing is far too high. We need to support businesses like this but they have to respond too! Did I enjoy my meal? Yes, fantastic, Would I go again? Yes, definitely! Would I encourage you to go? Yes definitely! I just warn you that your visit will be enjoyable but not cheap so be prepared.

We came especially to visit the Cheese Room - which the website described as an “epicurean journey of delight and discovery” - so we were disappointed to find this was hyperbole to say the least. A few nice varieties but not the abundance of gastronomic delicacies the website suggested. Just a note in case you were planning a visit for the same reason! We had some coffee and cake which was expensive, as most reviews note, but nice enough.

Do not pass this place by - a gem!! Despite it been a busy coronation day they couldn’t have been more welcoming and set a place up inside the shop for us!! Yes not cheap, but this is fine, home made locally sourced food. This sort of venture NEEDS SUPPORTING. Worth every penny. Thanks so much for making us so welcome …!!

Very expensive, £15.50 for a small round quiche and a small cup of coffee. A rude man behind the till. Avoid at all costs!

A wholly dissapointing experience unfortunately. Met up with some former management colleagues for a spot of lunch at a mutually convenient central location. The business is in a nice setting on an area of common land in a converted stone building stocked with a shop selling pretty pricey jams, chutneys, cakes & wines. I also noticed some small chocolate bars at an eye watering £6.50 a bar. Lunch was a ubiquitous scotch egg costing £11.50, delivered on its small plate with a few strands of dry salad next to it. It was sadly a fairly ordinary egg experience, uninspiring in culinary terms and I'm not certain this represented value for money - let it sink in... £11.50 for one scotch egg? When we came to pay the transaction was carried out by a tall man in an apron, it was apparent he was the boss, he had an abrupt air of authority and dominance. We asked to split the bill three ways, he stumbled a bit with this so we suggested rounding it up slightly to make it easier for him, he then became sarcastic and scoffed that "the girls" (demeaning?) would be so pleased with a tip of 50p between them. Just to clarify this wasn't supposed to be a gratuity it was just a helpful gesture to try and make it an easier sum for him to split three ways which I confess actually made it more difficult for him but hey this was three old friends trying to have a relaxed lunch out not a maths exam. He mumbled that we would have to watch our cars in the car park, was this a joke? I think it was but we weren't sure..it felt like things had taken an awkward and almost hostile twist. Basil Fawlty would have been proud. We had some cash for the tip jar which we hurriedly placed into it but by this time it was more out of a sense of obligation than appreciation. When the last of us had paid our share we left with no acknowledgment - not so much of a thanks or a goodbye. This left a really poor impression, an approach which is not an effective strategy for nurturing customers but I'm sure we will not be missed. The business model here is clearly milking the teets of the target clientele ... the old corduroy wearing toffs with way more money than sense, yappy dogs and easily seduced by the words 'organic' or 'artisan'. To be fair to them it's probably working. Luckily I now live 50 miles away but we collectively agreed next time we meet up we will go somewhere less pretentious, maybe with a view of Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically…’

I met a friend here for a coffee and cake. The positives: dog and baby friendly, all weather seating. Easy parking. Nice coffee. The negatives: poorly labelled pricing of cakes. I went for a doughnut on the self service table as usually that’s the lower end of the price scale but it was £6!!!!!!!!! I understand they are Locally produced small batches but to conceal prices isn’t ok. Then it’s too late / awkward to put the item back. Service was peculiar. I was stood at the counter for ages and then they tried to charge me for the person before. I would return but for coffee only. Could be lovely but overpriced and distant customer service.

We happened upon this lovely little cafe on our way through the English countryside. They didn’t have enough of the ham and cheese croissants, so they made one straight away. The quiche was wonderful as well. If we had more time this would be a great location to do some wine and cheese tastings and even more so with a small group of friends. The lady that appeared to be in charge was very helpful and pleasant, however the young girls working there were not as much. Still a nice experience.

The most expensive sausage roll I have ever had, and I've had some expensive ones! Good but not that good! Seven fifty, Jeez!

When we arrived the heavens had just decided to open so we scuttled in to the makeshift covered seating area and were given a stiff ignoring for about 30 minutes. When I finally asked if there was any chance of ordering a meal we finally got some service. From this point on everything improved dramatically. The food was all local and absolutely delicious. It is not cheap but very good quality. There is also a shop selling ready made meals and fabulous cheese. All in all a good place to go, but you do slightly need to fight for attention and service.

What a very nice cafe with a lot of unusual food. We just stopped for a coffee/tea. It is sited in the middle of nowhere in a kind of upmarket industrial site with a nice looking travel book shop opposite which seemed to do gifts as well. The views are lovely. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Somewhere different to go!

Came across this place whilst looking for lunch, thought we had struck lucky, all the food, sausage rolls to die for, quiche to relish and salads to match. However the whole lot was uncovered on a warm day and was crawling with flies. All it needed was a cover, put us off and found somewhere else. I would expect any unsuspecting customers might of had a dodgy tummy after. Such a shame.

Owned and run by a Tasmanian and his family, it is all you would expect from Australian influence. The food is excellent with 'to die for pastry' and a nice range of vegetarian and vegan options as well. The staff are very well trained and are both knowledgeable and friendly. Do give this place a try as it is well worth the deviation.

Stopped for light lunch with a friend before a walk. There seemed to be plenty of staff on hand but the service was really slow and we had to keep asking/prompting how, where, what to order, no menu was offered, nobody came to take our order, we didn’t know if we should be ordering in the shop, it was very confusing. We eventually got one staff to offer to come and take our order, only to sit back at our table for fifteen minutes waiting, whilst watching him stroll around serving others and clearing tables, in no apparent hurry to deal with us - surely taking an order comes before clearing tables when there are loads of empty tables available? Eventually we asked a different staff member to please take our order which was fine. However I was told that my quiche and salad would need to be weighed (why??) and that I could serve myself using cardboard takeaway containers - weird but okay. My friend’s chicken salad came from the kitchen and was beautifully presented in a china bowl. Both were delicious but mine looked distinctly like the poor relation! When we came to pay there was no indication of a ‘special’ price for my weighed salad box, and there were two additional items on the till which we had to query otherwise we would have happily been charged £45 for two salads. Altogether we felt rather bemused with an over-complicated system of ordering/serving, plus staff who seemed generally rather aloof and disinterested in explaining anything to us, it was all very odd. We won’t rush back despite the delicious food.

We stopped here whilst geocaching in the area and were glad we did. The shop area is high quality with a range of food and snacks and drinks can be bought for eating outside under a large marquee or on good quality wooden picnic tables. There are toilets at the rear of the courtyard that were very clean and a small selection of small enterprises here too - I loved the Travel Book Company unit.

I have visited Compton Macrae a few times recently and have been consistently impressed. The food is of a high quality and the coffee some of the best I have had! Great service in a lovely, quiet location. Highly recommended.

We booked a table for four on a Monday at lunchtime to celebrate a birthday. We were winging it, as none of our friends or family had even heard of this place. We were welcomed, shown our table and the current setup explained. We had...

This was my first visit to Compton McRae and I was delighted to be greeted by owner Bill who showed me around after placing a platter of delicious looking freshly baked sausage rolls on the display table. The smells of cooking from the kitchen were...

We found the Barn quite by chance. We sat outside on very hot day under an umbrella with delightful views and I enjoyed the best iced coffee I've ever had apart from homemade! Because of distancing we didn't go into the deli, but will return...

Always a wonderful stop place to stop for lunch. Went again today and enjoyed sitting under the lovely canvass tent. My husband swears the sausage rolls are incredible. I enjoyed a veggie tart which was delicious. Cheese straws were yum too! They will happily put...

Excellent coffee and cheeses, lovely fresh deli-style lunches and great quality provisions. Friendly staff and service. Picnic tables under canopies make this a COVID-friendly option too. Highly recommended.

Came across this wonderful Deli cafe by chance. Delicious coffee and so many enticing goodies to buy. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Definitely be back.

We visited this lovely deli/cafe for the first time after spotting them on Instagram. What a delight! They have a temperature controlled cheese room showcasing some fabulous artisan cheeses which the kids were fascinated by. They sell cured meats, deli products like olives and garlic,...

Delightful deli, carrying interesting and unusal produce. Their USP is the glass fronted 'cheese room'. You wait your turn and then go inside to taste and choose your cheeses, from their large selection. They also have a cafe to sit and relax, or choose your...