Sparrows End Farm Shop in Uttlesford

We visited for Sunday brunch and were not disappointed! The food was delicious, top quality ingredients which had obviously been freshly cooked. The staff were friendly and polite, we enjoyed the sunshine on the veranda over looking the lovely garden. The cakes and deli are equally as good, it’s always a treat to pop in and buy some fresh items.

This is a follow up to the inaccurate response on my last review regarding the extortionate prices of takeaway rolls! I was charged 45.00 for 5 sausage rolls which is £9 each! I can assure you that I was not mistaken as I was with friends… it was only as we were leaving that we were all really shocked at the price and commented on it as we were leaving. I felt too embarrassed to question the lady at the time as was with a group. Regrettably at the time I hadn’t seen or asked the prices. I notice that the menu has them very clearly now but they weren’t last year!! I might add that I still visit your cafe as you do really excellent coffee and toasties and your location is to die for… but I resent your tone about this. Maybe it was a miscalculation on your part? Either way I paid £9 last summer!!

I'm very surprised by the negative reviews as on our numerous visits we've always been treated with kindness and enjoyed delicious food. I can highly recommend the coffee, croissants and the bacon rolls are some of the best around, with top quality bacon. There's really high quality produce available and items to make your own meals. Good seating inside and out (plenty of covered outside seating) and friendly service always. The site is peaceful and picturesque. It's family friendly with baby chairs and room for kids to run around on the grass. They hold events and barbeques which we've not been to. It's one of our favourite spots to visit and one we return to as often as we can.

We are long-standing regulars at this beautiful establishment; the tranquility and excellent food this wonderful place provides is a perfect distraction from hard weeks. The staff are warm, welcoming and always have a smile on their faces. They all go above and beyond to ensure we have a positive experience each and every visit. The areas are clean, well presented, laid out and beautifully maintained. So much thought and passion is behind all the additional events we have attended; we can't wait for more! Last but not least .. the food. So much can be said for fresh and homemade meals, cakes and pastries. The quality of the products and freshness oozes out with every mouthful. We cannot sing Sparrow's praises enough and hope any new customer will enjoy it as much as we do.

Just found a quality farm shop with a fantastic cafe just outside Saffron Walden. Loads of high end ingredients and foods that you are unlikely to find in your supermarket at a good price. The cafe is also great with spacious wooden tables inside, surrounded by a wonderful wood and brick combo, peppered with wannabuy products and also boasts an amazing outdoor seating area, some seats under a veranda and others out on a beautifully kept lawn, perfect for that 'work from home day'. The staff are very engaging, friendly and attentive and the quality of the food is very very good. Would wholeheartedly recommend Sparrow's End Farm Shop: a great place to spend a relaxing Sunday lunch, a coffee and a catch up with friend or somewhere to enjoy the tranquility of some silence. Enjoy!

Another lovely, lovely visit to Sparrows End. We are always very warmly welcomed by all the staff. Food is tasty and freshly made, my favourite charcuterie board with a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon is perfect! Having read the last couple of reviews I feel as if I am reviewing a different place. All long serving staff are obviously extremely happy to be working there. I would love to hear their views on being exploited!

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask. I feel genuinely ripped off after visiting this place as prices were absolutely extortionate. Staff surly at best! It was also freezing cold inside - may be nicer in the summer. Such a shame as has a beautiful range of products but totally overpriced!

This is the most charming farm shop I’ve ever visited set in beautiful surrounding. Such friendly staff and amazing service. The food is delicious with such a lovely choice of breakfasts and lunches.

Sparrows End Farm shop is magical. It really is part of what makes living in this area so wonderful and would be hard to move away from. Amazing people, products and food, it really is our happy place whether that be for a quick coffee, a long summer BBQ lunch or a cosy winter brunch with mulled wine.

We visit Sparrows End farm shop often. Lots of interesting, high quality products. It really is a beautiful setting. There is often an event, bbq’s in the summer, wine tastings, guest chef evenings etc. We are grateful to have somewhere close by with really good yummy food and fun events! Thank you to the owners who are really good fun and work incredibly hard. They always go out of their way to talk to everyone.

Tonight was a wine tasting, it was great. Nine wines, all lovely. Great location, great food and wonderful service. I go here ALL THE TIME. I sit and drink tea and eat cake looking over the lawn and enjoy the quiet. It's my happy place😚

A lovely setting but cramped inside with oversized tables. Slow service. Staff not proactive in attending to guests. Grossly overpriced food and drinks. I wouldn’t return. The venue itself is gorgeous and it looks very inviting inside. However once inside it gets and feels a bit cramped. The service at the main counter is painfully slow and no one acknowledges you so it is unclear whether you can sit down or wait to be served or queue at the counter only to find out that you get a table first. All very confusing and made all the more confusing when no member of staff acknowledges or offers to help in any way. We finally managed to get sat down and we ordered breakfast. Very expensive indeed. £9 for a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese!!!!! Our food arrived at different times so one guest was virtually finished with the other guest with no food. Also it was freezing inside. You would imagine given the prices for just about everything in this shop the heating could be turned up a little. Even after getting a seat you then had to return and queue up for the painfully slow service to order your overpriced food. The whole customer experience is very disjointed, slow and not the most comfortable. The food tastes good but I like to enjoy my experience in addition to eating good food. This wasn’t great and I wouldn’t return. It was not worth the money I paid.

Gorgeous surroundings, good coffee but feel like I’ve been totally and utterly ripped off!! Almost £9 for a takeaway sausage roll!!! That is twice the price of Elder street, it’s not Harrods!! These prices are mad, I know I should have asked but expected to be similar to other farm shops. Be careful!! Check prices!

£50 for 3 breakfasts is too expensive. If the portions bigger maybe justifiable but not with 1 slice of sour dough with avo . Really do need to re think the business model. If you happy with paying that rate go try it as the quality is good.

Was at the cafe for late morning coffee and cake with a friend and we couldn’t believe how inappropriate the waitresses were dressed to serve us, this is in Saffron Walden not Hooters! They were wearing denim shorts cut so high it left nothing to the imagination, also bending over to clear tables etc, we didn’t know where to look, we’re certainly not prudes but surely this kind of dressing is more suitable for your evening bbq service. It’s certainly not a professional look, not sure what on earth you’re doing at Sparrows allowing the girls to dress that way!

I wanted to support a local business. The place looks gorgeous and the owners are investing a lot of money in fixing the outside. Unfortunately, they will not get repeat business if they cannot sort out their portion sizes and the prices they charge, which are just too high. I ordered the toasted sourdough with burrato. The toast, one small slice, was very thin. The burrata was buried under the piles of rocket so it could be spread on the bread, rather than being the star of the show. There were three cherry tomatoes. £9. I'm still hungry. I will pay for quality but as another reviewer said, no one wants to feel they are being ripped off. The portion size was mean. Even the young waitress looked awkward. Even my children were a bit appalled. This farm shop should be full, especially on a nice sunny day. At midday there was just us and two customers drinking coffee. Most of the dishes had sold out. Not by today's crowd. The couple who run this place need some helpful advice on what size portions you can give customers so they don't feel they're being ripped off. I have been here a few times, and each time feel disappointed that the food is overpriced, the sizes too small, the owners not particularly friendly.

You can’t beat this farm shop for quality and amazing sourcing of foods you simply can’t get anywhere else. Such a fabulous selection, I could’ve scooped the lot up but managed to restrain myself.

I’ve been here a few times, it’s fab. Especially in the sunshine, it’s like an oasis! While definitely a bit pricier than others - the coffee is very good and the breakfast was delicious. The setting is perfect and they now have tables outside and inside too. This is a wonderful place!

We have been to Sparrows Farm Shop/Deli for lunch or tea & cake many times over the last 18 months at different times of the year. We had never looked at the Reviews before we went, as we were house hunting in the area and came upon this lovely spot by chance. I was shocked when I read some of the negative Reviews as we have ALWAYS been treated well and had a lovely experience. With that in mind, we would like to outline our personal findings: Firstly, we have only had to wait for more than 15 mins once when they were extremely busy. Secondly, the food and drink has been superb (we eat out all over the Country); especially the pasta, cakes, deli food to take home and, of course, the wine and coffee! We don't mind paying a little extra for really good food and wine, which we have always had 'in spades' at this delightful venue. Thirdly, whilst sitting enjoying the view, I have had a lovely time shopping in the gift/deli department, located at the side of the restaurant. They stock locally sourced meat and veg, condiments, jam & honey, handmade candles and other beautiful household gifts, to name but a few items in their stylish shop. I have bought two beautiful baskets from their collection hanging from the rafters, filling each one with great produce every time we go back! We have watched children and parents enjoying birthday celebrations on the front lawn, walked our dogs in the woodland next door (having been invited to do so), and thoroughly enjoyed the company of customers and staff alike, who have gone out of their way to help answer any queries we may have had, or provide us with suggestions for food or beverages. The wine selection in the deli is of very high quality. We have made sure to bring a few bottles home, usually upon recommendation from the owner and his wife. Having tried their suggestions, we have bought more of the same on our next visit, and added to our cellar with confidence! We do not usually write Reviews, certainly not of this length, but we felt strongly that people should give this lovely place a try, as it would be a real shame to miss this gem.

There were five staff rushing about even though we were the only customers. No one seemed keen on greeting us and so I said the necessary greeting. Then we stood at the counter and no one seemed willing to serve us, so again I asked for what we wanted. The coffees and cakes we had were of a high standard if prohibitively costly for a return visit. The shop is in a pleasant situation with plenty off parking spaces available. The shop and deli has many wonderful, quality products on sale, beautifully displayed. There is a friendly cat wondering about inside the shop/cafe which I shall let be my abiding, positive memory of the place.

We have visited Sparrows End Farm shop before and love supporting this local business but after our visit today- we will never be returning! 2 bacon bap rolls,2 latte coffees and a plain croissant cost more than £25.00 which is extortionate. I was sure they had made a mistake! Very disappointed indeed and sad that they seem to be ripping off loyal locals with these prices. We could have gone to Cote Brasserie for the set breakfast for less money and better value!

My mother and I visited the cafe for breakfast. It took half an hour to get two coffees and 3/4 hour to get two ready cooked croissants! We were not impressed. There were plentiful staff and very few customers at the time. The farm shop...

Having been here a few times and desperately wanting to support a local business it’s really sad to say that this place is best avoided. Been overcharged twice now - charged for items we didn’t order once and then different prices for the same coffees...

I ❤️❤️ country farm shops. THIS ONE is my favorite!! Locally sourced products + great quality products from abroad. This place ticked all my boxes. - single origin coffee - lovely cheeses & smoked meats - great quality steaks & poultry - curated wine &...

The people renting this place (as far as I am aware they are not the owners) are very unwelcoming, in fact they are miserable most of the time. On top of that, they are quite arrogant, a trait they also passed on to their daughter....

The venue (tent) was hired for three hours to celebrate the birthday of a family member. Upon arrival we got told that we arrived 15 minutes early so we weren't allowed to set up the party (balloons etc) for another 15 minutes even though the...

Absolutely atrocious customer service at this place. The owners are the rudest people I have ever met. They ruined my daughters 1st birthday party. Not allowing us to use the toilet facilities, telling kids off for playing in the garden and simply being kids, making...

Went for a family birthday, little girls turned one. They were constantly nagging about small things. They make you feel very unwelcome. The food is over priced. Tons of rules. No smoking allowed, (no warning beforehand when you book). The owner and family are extremely...

Went for breakfast 2 consecutive days. Had 2 coffees and 2 croissants in and charged £15.20 today, £13.80 day before, also 1 coffee was less expensive than day before. Excessive, poor service with cutlery missing. Food and coffee good but felt ripped off . Staff...

Scrambled eggs and toastiest are amazing prepared by an excellent chef and a wide selection of high quality products throughout the shop. Barbecue on weekends is very good.

We went for lunch and ordered some food and drinks. I paid the bill and returned to my table and realised that I had been overcharged. I went back in to query the bill and they admitted that they had made a mistake. I looked...

I have yet to be impressed with this place. Twice I have been denied either something in the menu because they ran out and today they had no hot food because their supplier isn’t working this week. Which confirms my suspicion that they’re not really...

I last visited this establishment about 8 years ago, when it was under previous management, and had a fantastic time. I live locally, and suggested this venue for the "9 Year reunion" ( see Rioja R review). I telephoned in advance to check if it...

We travelled from Nottingham to meet an old friend. We were asked initially to move on from the car park as we were in a motor home. Until the manager realised we were eating. He said we’d need to be quick as they get busy....

The number of good café across Essex has vastly increased over the last few years. Even more have the number who don’t look at you like a walking freak show when you clack in wearing Lycra and wearing silly shoes. Since discovering this place just...

This is a great place to visit for coffees, teas, goodies, where you can also sit outside and enjoy in a pleasant atmosphere! The staff are so friendly and helpful. The shop has so many different foods, drinks, amazing unique products. I've bought gift baskets...

Went for hot drinks. They had chai latte on the menu, but what arrived was just a tea. When I queried it they made me a 'chai latte', but it had coffee in it. I explained that chai lattes don't include coffee and that I'm...

We only went into the shop and did not eat there. Huge potential and some interesting food on sale, but very limited to the point of being disappointing, The vegetables selection was extremely poor. They advertised a strict face mask policy in the shop but...

I am regular customer buying potatoes ,today I bought 4 potatoes the manager charged me 7.69 pounds ridiculous I said 7.69 ?? And she said the price change all the time ,she just rip me off make up the price she want it ,you lost...

Went to Sparrows End for lunch and was blown away with the food. Great choice and service. The wild boar ragu was up there with what I’ve tasted in Tuscany and the toasted sandwiches were delicious. My son polished off a cookie the size of...

Sparrows end is a farm shop that has mastered the perfect meld of the luxury with the homespun. This shop feels to be the equivalent of walking into a giant fortnum and Mason’s hamper: it sports an eclectic selection of local delicacies in amongst artisanal...

Such an amazing Farm shop. A fantastic blend of local and further a-field products & a new gorgeous menu for the food terrace alongside the friendliest and most helpful staff! Will definitely be coming back with friends soon, Salad was to die for!