welcome
Living a mile from the shop, I have always loved West Lea and its beautiful watercress beds. I also love all things local. I took on West Lea Farm Shop during the pandemic with a desire to revive it as an essential place for locals to pick up quality produce in a warm and friendly environment. I also wanted to concentrate on supporting local producers wherever possible. So please pop in and say hello; we look forward to welcoming you.
Rachel Peppiatt, Owner
our history
For centuries watercress grew wild in the area’s streams and ditches. Entrepreneurial locals started to grow it commercially with the coming of the railway in 1865. Our cress beds here at Ladycroft were built by local farmer Mr. Curtis in about 1890 and have been carefully tended ever since.
West Lea started with an outside larder and an honesty box selling watercress only. Soups, scones, sausages and most importantly trout followed until the shop has grown over the years into what you see today.
Our watercress beds sustain a unique habitat for wildlife. With a little luck, you'll spot herons, egrets, kingfishers and our resident family of swans.
we were on the tv!
james martin’s saturday Morning
We had a bit of excitement at the shop in the summer of 2023. I was interviewed by celebrity chef James Martin on his ITV weekend show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning. I was thrilled to be asked to appear but it’s fair to say I was feeling pretty nervous on the day, James put me at ease straight away and it was such fun to talk about our fantastic watercress, give our lovely shop a bit of a mention and celebrate what’s so special about Alresford in general. James is well known for supporting small and local businesses whether they are in Hampshire or across the country - I felt he was genuinely interested in what I am trying to do with the shop and our watercress.
