Just down the road from Farringford, near the thatched church and The Piano wine bar is a little piece of Isle of Wight history, Orchard Brothers family grocers.
Not only do they have everything you might need for a picnic but this is also where Alfred Lord Tennyson shopped and bought his tobacco. So Orchard Brothers has history - 150 years of being a corner shop run by the same family, which must be some kind of record.
As they say on their website in a wonderfully understated way, 'We are a long established family grocers at Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight.'
Five generations of the Orchard family have been involved in the running the business with Mark the current Orchard Brother in charge. Shopping back in 1865 was a lttle different - most people shopped daily as it was difficult to keep food fresh without fridges and freezers and foods were sold 'loose' rather than boxed, canned or packed. I suspect the service was a little more formal back then compared to the relaxed, friendly and helpful atmosphere of today.
If you visit Freshwater Bay find an excuse to go in, after all you don't stay in business for 150 years without providing an excellent service.
For more information see the Orchard Brothers website