England's Island

The Garlic Farm

Farm

Category
Farm
Location
Mersley Lane, Newchurch PO36 0NR

The Garlic Farm at Newchurch is one of the Isle of Wight's best-known visitor attractions and a working agricultural enterprise that has put the island on the culinary map. The farm has been growing garlic commercially since the 1970s and now cultivates over thirty varieties on the site, taking advantage of the island's mild climate and long growing season, which suits garlic production particularly well. The farm shop sells garlic in every conceivable form, from fresh bulbs and smoked garlic to garlic beer, garlic ice cream, and garlic-infused oils that make excellent gifts and souvenirs. There is a restaurant on site that uses garlic liberally across its menu, offering dishes that range from the expected to the inventive. The farm holds an annual garlic festival in August that draws thousands of visitors from across the country. Beyond the garlic, the site includes a farm trail, animals for children to meet, and pleasant grounds for walking. The farm sits in the gentle, rolling countryside between Newchurch and Alverstone, in the central eastern part of the island. It is a genuine working farm that has successfully diversified into tourism without losing its agricultural character. The shop is worth a visit for anyone interested in food, and the restaurant is a reliable and enjoyable lunch stop.