The Devon Meat Company
The business sells award winning and very high quality Devon meat direct to homes and restaurants in Devon and the south of England. All the meat comes from animals of our own farms - so we know exactly how each animal was looked after. The animals are raised traditionally on flower rich pastures and run on the fields at low density. After slaughter at a local abattoir, we carry-on managing the process by using our own premises and butcher to produce meat that is well hung, expertly butchered and packed before delivery to your home, restaurant or hotel. No added preservatives, no colour, no E numbers and absolutely no hormones!!
We set up the company with a view to bringing the highest quality Devon meat direct to the consumer - be that a home or restaurant. The business brings together a two traditional farms that produce meat to high standards Fowlescombe and Ley Farm. Over time we might invite other high quality farms to join the business, if they have say other animals that would fit into our portfolio.
Top quality Rare Breed Pork
The rare breed pigs are reared outdoors at Frost Farm where their staple barley diet is supplemented by rooting around the fields and under the trees. They mature naturally, then we take the animals to the abattoir ourselves to minimize the stress level, hang them well and have them butchered expertly by our top class butcher. The benefit is apparent in the taste. Ring if you would like a Christmas ham, special cut bacon or a special cut.
South Devon Beef
Our South Devon beef run freely over the Flete Estate in the South Hams. The cattle are reared organically. The South Devon was originally a dual purpose dairy / beef breed, but now is renowned locally as a beef breed. The cattle are the largest native breed in the country.
Some of the South Devon beef you buy in the shops, supermarkets or restaurants is 50% cross - normally a South Devon bull mated with a some other breed or cross breed of cow. They tend to be grazed on modern heavily fertilised grass, and fed concentrates or grain to get them to market earlier. Often they are stressed by long journeys to the abattoir, hung only for a week - all of which is evident in their welfare and the taste of the meat. The prospect that the industry is going to be forced into American style feed-lots horrifies us.
Rare Breed Lamb
The term lamb applies to sheep meat from animals that are less than a year old. Most lamb on the market, however, is killed when only a few months old - possibly as young as four months. Our rare breeds are normally kept until they are 14 to 18 months old - know then as hogget or hogget-lamb - giving them a good life on our flower rich pastures. The sheep normally lamb in April and enjoy eating not only the grass but the hedges and the apple trees, being expert at scrub control! We take the animals to the abattoir ourselves to minimise the stress level, hang them well and have them butchered expertly by our top class butcher. You can taste the difference.
Sausages, Gammon, Bacon, Cobbles, Burgers and other Cured Meats
Top quality hand made sausages - We have developed a variety of specialty sausages from our rare breed pork, prime beef and lamb. We also have a range of sausages for children and can do party sausages. Our handmade sausages are made to our own recipes without additives and frozen immediately to preserve freshness and improve storage quality
Succulent Gammon - Whole legs of pork, brine cured & oak-smoked on the premises to our own recipe, dried and vacuum packed for long maturing
Bacon - Dry cured in salt with a little saltpetre added to sharpen the flavour and ensure freshness in the pack. Medium cut
Cobbles and Burgers - Our cobbles are designed for children's breakfasts - a third the size of a burger and with tasty smoky bacon. Our burgers are full of tasty meat !! Kids love them and they do them good.
Road Directions
M4, then M5, at the end of which it becomes the A38. When about 20 - 25 miles short of Plymouth on the A38 you will approach three places: The Rattery, South Brent, and Ivybridge.
You want to turn off on the A3121 - the Wrangaton exit from the A38 - signposted to IvyBridge, and the railway station park and ride there (You are still 5 or 6 miles short of Ivybridge, but the next exit is beyond the town). The exit also has local signposts to Ermington, Loddiswell and Modbury. At the top of the slip road, turn left. Proceed for about 1 1/4 miles.
At the next proper cross roads (i.e. where you have to stop) - go straight over towards Loddiswell. After about 2 miles you will reach California Cross. Just before the petrol station take a sharp left hand turn and follow that road passed an old chapel converted into a house.
The next place on the left is Lupridge - it is a very very sharp left hand turn. Normally you need two goes at it to turn in. Park and knock at the building to the left. You have reached the Devon Meat Company. Welcome.
