Field-to-fork newcomer Roots + Seeds in Cirencester was so fresh out of the gates when I visited for dinner on a balmy late-spring evening that the whiff of wet paint and fresh varnish was still in the air. The sustainably-focused venue is the brainchild of school friends Sam Lawson-King and Toby Baggott, who made the brave – some may say brazen – decision to open socially distanced dining venture The Scenic Supper in July 2020 during the height of the pandemic. The concept was clever – the scenic suppers took place in bespoke glasshouses offering panoramic views of the Cotswolds countryside at King Stone Farm, where the pair served produce grown so nearby they could point to it. Sam and Toby are hoping to recreate the same magic at Roots + Seeds, where Lawson-King held court on my visit, perching tableside to regale me with anecdotes from The Scenic Supper's early days, while waxing lyrical about his organic gin brand – King Stone – which makes a number of cameos on the
Land in your area 2020: West Midlands >More in
Both the number of acres and the number of farms publicly marketed in the West Midlands in 2020 dropped 44% on the previous year, according to Strutt & Parker’s data.
However, agents say the growing trend of holdings being sold privately will mask the total amount of land and farms changing hands.
The average price has edged up year-on-year for both arable (12%) and pasture (4%), with increased demand helping support land values.
Frustrated buyers
The West Midlands has seen a very similar pattern to other parts of the country, with several significant off-market deals, while, generally, the market has been led by a lack of quality stock with limited farms and land available.