Quex Barn – Featured Retailer July 2017

Quex Barn, situated at the entrance of the Quex Park Estate in Birchington on the Isle of Thanet, Kent, would be on any shortlist of the finest Goupie-stocking establishments.

However, it deserves special praise because, in October 2016, an electrical fault sparked a major fire that reduced this stunning building to a charred shell.  However owner Ian Mather, and his dedicated team, have completely rebuilt this popular destination venue, and it now stands proud, better than ever.

Quex Barn

Quex Barn has a lot to draw in visitors.  It boasts a butchery, a delicatessen, a wet fish stall, a bakery department, fruit, vegetables and floristry, a coffee shop and a restaurant.

All these establishments are passionate advocates of local produce.  Quex Barn is fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most productive and fertile land in the UK and local producers are able to supply a fantastic range of local fruit, vegetables, livestock and being just two miles from the sea, fresh fish.

The Butcher stocks top quality free-range meat from Quex’s own livestock, such as native Sussex cattle reared on the Quex Estate; while eggs are gathered from Quex’s own hens.  The fishmonger boasts locally caught fish straight from the boat.

The fully licensed restaurant opens at 9am for breakfast of Quex’s own bacon, sausages and eggs and all the trimmings.  It also serves lunch daily and some evenings

Quex Barn 2

Every day, Lorraine, the greengrocer, stocks up with delicious fresh local fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, asparagus, cauliflowers, cabbages, potatoes, all grown within a few miles of the barn.

The shop also benefits from the Quex House nursery garden where Sue, the gardener, grows organic herbs, cut flowers and lettuces, plus a host of other seasonal goodies.

The delicatessen stocks many Kentish Cheeses, such as Winterdale Shaw,

Kentish Blue, Ashmore farmhouse cheddar, Kentish Brie and Canterbury Cobble.

Quex’s baker, Jerome, produces bread from Wednesday through to Sunday; including Olive and Oregano, Walnut, Six Seeded and Tomato.

He also makes scones, quiches, scotch eggs, meat pies and sausage rolls.

The shop stocks an array of Kentish beers, ales and ciders, including Gadds of Ramsgate, Wantsum of Canterbury, Old Dairy from Ashford, Boutilliers from Faversham, Canterbury Ales, Goody Ales from Herne and Biddenden Ciders.

Quex Barn 3

Other local suppliers include jams, preserves and pickles from Farmhouse Kitchen from Tilmanstone, cakes from Simply Fruitcakes in Canterbury, Cookies form Zingiberi Bakery in Herne Bay; fudge from O’er the Moon in Cranbrook; Ice Cream from Simply Ice-Cream and Solley’s Dairies, Curries from Chai Stop in Minster .

Quex Barn takes great pride in stocking foodstuffs, such as Goupie, that are not generally available in the supermarkets.

Now wonder it is proving to be both a popular shop for locals and a great day out for those travelling from further afield.

Find out more at http://quexbarn.com/