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Villa Farm is a true family run business and has been since 1840.

Wilton Kershaw started the Diary Herd with a breed of cattle called Diary Shorthorns.  His Son, Cornelius, later took over the running of the herd introducing the British Fresian Cow.  Residents of Fixby may remember the cows being herded up Fixby Road by Shep the Collie Dog, in his hi-viz jacket, to their grazing pastures on a daily basis.

Milk from this herd was bottled on site and supplied to milkmen to make local doorstep deliveries.  These deliveries, later expanded into Kershaw's milk being supplied to small supermarkets, cash and carrys, schools and nursing homes as far a field as Rochdale, Leeds and Sheffield.

In 1981, Peter (Cornelius's Son) and his wife Sue bought another farm near Mirfield.  In subsequent years the herd of dairy cattle moved to this larger site where there is a purpose built dairy for pasturising and bottling of milk and cream.

Eggs have played and still do play a large part in Villa Farms business, having been produced here for over 40 years.  Big changes took place at the end of December 2011 with the EEC bringing along the end of battery cages for hens.  A new building was erected at the back of the farm to house the new colony birds which would allow for the hens to live in a more friendly, eco way in family groups.

The Farm Shop has been serving residents of Fixby for 34 years, selling home produced milk and eggs, homemade cakes and in the beginning live trout.  In 2009 the Farm Shop was expanded to include a Butchery and Delicatessen Counter.  Villa Farm Shop was given a new logo and new identity but continues to have the same dedication to customers for sourcing local, fresh produce at affordable prices as always.

Now run by Sue Kershaw with Son Richard, Daughter Sam and her husband, William the Shop and Farms continue to grow and flourish.

The family opened a 40 seat coffee shop (The Old Forge) in April 2016 to serve quality home and locally produced food.  Many of the ingredients used in the menu can also be bought in the farm shop.

Our ethos is to limit food miles by offering customers as much local and home made quality products as possible at affordable prices. As a family business we are committed to offering quality local produce and service to our customers.

Values:

Our team are the essence of our business and so they need to passionate about great tasting food and local artisans.

We build a strong rapport with our producers and suppliers to help support one another.

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