Father Finbar at the new Tea Shop at Quarr Abbey. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
NEW tea and farm shops in the tranquil surroundings of Quarr Abbey have been bringing in plenty of visitors in the short time they have been open.
Built with the aid of a grant from the South East England Development Agency and the Isle of Wight Local Action Group, under the Leader initiative, the enterprise has already carved a successful little niche in the Benedictine monastery’s peaceful grounds.
The tea shop, set in the walled garden, now serves light lunches and refreshments.
The farm shop, next door to the tea shop, sells organic fruit and vegetables grown in the abbey grounds, Quarr’s own relishes and jams and honey produced on the estate by the Isle of Wight Beekeeping Association. Dean Pascall, the abbey operations manager, said coupled with the successful art gallery on site, the shops have certainly helped to pull in the visitors.
Father Finbar, prior administrator at Quarr Abbey, said: "The monastic community welcomes visitors and is delighted the development can offer such an excellent facility.
"It is one of the ways in which we can share the peace and tranquillity of the abbey with others," he added.
The abbey also plans to introduce other innovations to the site in the longer term. They include increasing the size of its guest house, improving the structure of the buildings and visitor facilities, preserving the ancient abbey ruins and better signs.
The tea and farm shops are open daily, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays, 11.15am to 4.30pm.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk