Indie Spotlight: Officially the Best Farm Shop in the UK - Darts Farm Shop
Darts Farm Shop in Exeter proudly holds the 2025 Farm Retail Association title of ‘Best Farm Shop in the UK’. While it’s a little too far from Islands HQ in Battersea for a casual visit, we’re doing what we can to close that distance and shine a spotlight on one of our favourite independent stockists.
Like Islands, Darts Farm is a family-run business, led by brothers Michael, James, and Paul Dart. Their late father, Ronald, pioneered Britain’s ‘pick-your-own’ movement and championed the value of food in both community and landscape. After his passing in 1982, his sons carried that legacy forward, aiming to reconnect local people with the fields that feed them. Michael and James transformed a humble roadside hut into today’s unique food and lifestyle destination, while Paul took charge of the family farm.
“DRIVEN BY THE SAME CORE FAMILY VALUES, CHAMPIONING COMMUNITY, SEASONALITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROVENANCE.”
To this day, the business remains, “driven by the same core family values, championing community, seasonality, sustainability and provenance,” says Josie Dart, Marketing Executive and Darts family member.
That original roadside hut has evolved into what Josie describes as, “one of the most diverse independent artisan produce selections in the country, a nose-to-tail butchery, cheesemonger and deli, multiple eateries, a small batch cidery, a wellness spa, vineyard, in-house chocolatier and stocks over 300 local suppliers. It’s a real foodie haven.” On site, visitors will also find Cotswold Outdoors, Fired Earth, RSPB, Aga Shop, Orange Tree, and Energy Hair.
Since 2024, our Islands Chocolate retail range has been proudly featured among their artisan produce selection. According to Josie, it has quickly become a, “popular choice with gift-givers and chocolate lovers! The Islands brand values align closely with our own, prioritising quality, provenance, and sustainability. We were drawn to the fact they grow their own cacao on their farms in St Vincent and with partner farms in the Dominican Republic, giving them unique control over origin and quality. As a result, Islands offer a high-quality, versatile selection.”
This praise comes from people who truly know chocolate. On a mission to move away from industrial, ultra-processed mass-market chocolate, Darts crafts their own chocolate on-site. They are one of the few UK producers to make true bean-to-bar chocolate, and they do it right in front of their customers.
“As farmers ourselves, we know that good food starts on the farm, so our priority is sourcing ethically farmed cacao from small-scale growers in rare origins around the world. Our origins range from North West Madagascar, The Idukki Hills, India to The Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda.”
At Darts, the team roasts, winnows, grinds, conches and ages their chocolate on-site, before melting it down to create everything from bars to bonbons, truffles and seasonal gifts (their Easter eggs are particularly special!). Looking ahead, they also plan to use cocoa husks (the outer shell of the cocoa bean that can’t be used in chocolate) to make a cocoa tea for their on-site eateries.
Their couverture chocolate, crafted on site, is also the base for their hot chocolates. Customers can choose from a Single Origin 70% Peru, or the House Blend 40% Milk or 70% Dark.
For chocolate lovers, Darts Farm is a true destination. As well as watching chocolate being made in-house, visitors can browse over 25 different chocolate brands.
“The chocolate brands we stock must have a genuine commitment to quality, provenance, and sustainability. We look for chocolate makers who demonstrate true ‘bean-to-bar’ expertise or exceptional artisan skill, using traditional methods and real ingredients over mass production. The focus is always on quality—whether it’s a small-batch local maker or an international artisan chocolatier, every product must offer genuine flavour complexity and texture.”
You can find all our tins of Hot Chocolates, Buttons, and Chocolate & Hazelnut Spread included in this a highly regarded chocolate selection.
Here’s hoping we can get more of the Islands team from South West London down to the South West very soon!
Darts Farm