An out-of-town stretch of the busy A36 might not sound like the obvious place for a tranquil pit-stop but that’s exactly what café and farm shop Bird & Carter provides.

The rain had set in when I arrived, so the neatly stacked log pile by the front door and steamy windows, which promised a cosy retreat, made a welcome greeting. Stepping over the threshold, however, it wasn’t the warmth of the blazing woodburner, or the smell of a freshly-baked, three-tiered Victoria Sponge that met me first, but the friendly banter of owners Joff Bird and Annie Carter, as they invited me in.

Having run a successful deli four miles away in Salisbury until 2013, Bird & Carter is the coming together of many passions: locally-restored antique furniture and tasteful wall art hint at Annie’s previous career at the National Portrait Gallery in London, while the beautiful interior showcases Joff’s talents as a property developer.

But most of all, it’s their combined love of food that is celebrated here. Shelves are laden with British fare – Galloway Lodge preserves, The Garlic Farm chutneys, Melting Pot fudge, Teoni’s biscuits and Reeve the Baker bread – and behind the deli counter, you’re spoilt for choice: should I buy Montgomery’s Cheddar, smoked salmon or their home-cooked ham?

Perfect for this time of year are the hampers that Joff and Annie make up – simply pick from their stock and they’ll collate it in a pretty basket complete with bow; I know where I’m heading to do my Christmas shopping. And I can relax with a silky smooth cup of Brian Wogan coffee and slice of moist Marmalade cake, while I wait. Yum.

Images by Emma Pritchard