Trevithick & Trays near St Austell named Cornwall’s best farm shop

A family farm shop tucked just off the Pentewan Valley Trail has come out top in a county-wide public vote, beating every other contender for one of Cornwall’s most popular food titles.

Trevithick & Trays Farm Shop & Café at London Apprentice, between St Austell and Mevagissey, has been named Best Farm Shop / Deli in the Muddy Stilettos Cornwall Awards 2026.

Decided by the customers

The win came through a public vote, which is a big part of why it means so much to the people behind the shop.

Alison Talen from Trevithick & Trays said: “We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us in the Muddy Stilettos Awards. It really is humbling to win such an award, even more so when it’s decided by our customers.

“Our amazing team work incredibly hard looking after our customers, which is a large part of why we have won this accolade.”

📷Trevithick & Trays Farm Shop & Cafe at London Apprentice, near St Austell - Credit: Paul Williams

A dream realised in 2021

The business was founded by local husband-and-wife team Alison and Paddy Talen, who have owned and run the neighbouring River Valley Holiday Park for many years.

They opened Trevithick & Trays in spring 2021, realising a long-held dream of creating their own farm shop and café. The name comes from the couple’s Cornish family heritage, and the shop has built up a loyal following among both local residents and visitors.

It found an audience fast. Responding to growing demand, the couple expanded in early 2025, making the shop bigger and adding extra seating to the café.

“Since we opened just over five years ago, we have been blown away by the support of our customers who love our farm shop and café,” Alison said.

“As a Cornish family with deep roots, we’re proud to offer as much food and drink carefully produced in the county as we possibly can. Much is sourced from farmers and producers who are located within a few miles of our farm shop.”

📷Trevithick & Trays Farm Shop & Cafe at London Apprentice, near St Austell - Credit: Paul Williams

What you’ll find inside

The shop stocks an extensive range of Cornish food and drink. That includes fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, locally reared meats, artisan breads, traditional Cornish pasties, dairy products, preserves and ice cream.

There are local beers and ciders, wines and spirits too, plus gifts, homewares, flowers and plants.

A stop on the trail

Trevithick & Trays is open seven days a week with free parking. It sits just off the Pentewan Valley Trail, which makes it a handy stop for walkers, runners and cyclists working along the 3.5-mile route between St Austell and Pentewan.

The site also has baby changing facilities, an accessible toilet and welcomes dogs in its outdoor café seating area.

📷Alison & Paddy Talen from Trevithick & Trays Farm Shop & Cafe at London Apprentice, near St Austell - Credit: Paul Williams