"Richard Muirhead's tiny smokehouse in the grounds of Brougham Hall is a local treasure. Most of the ingredients come from within Cumbria. The smoked salmon is superb, some of the best I have tasted".
Rose Prince
Food & Drink Daily Telegraph
Britain's favourite pig - the Gloucester Old Spot
Gloucester Old Spots are the oldest pedigree spotted pigs in the world. With a name that sounds more like a local landmark than a breed of pig, the Gloucester Old Spots are the oldest pedigree spotted pigs in the world. We are proud to use the meat from these pigs in our Sausages
With a pedigree dating back to 1913, Gloucester Old Spots are the oldest pedigree spotted pigs in the world. They are the traditional breed from the apple orchards of Gloucestershire.
Originally from the Berkeley Vale region, the Gloucester Old Spots were traditionally known as the Orchard or Cottage Pig as they lived in gardens and smallholdings and were reared largely as domestic animals.
The pigs are easily distinguished by the large black spots on their backs and the soft floppy ears.
Folklore claims the large black spots are bruises caused by the apples falling onto them as they foraged the orchard floors for food.
With the intense farming techniques that followed the First World War farmers tried to breed out the spotty animals.
A true Gloucester Old Spot sports only jet black spots and grey or blue spots are a sign of the cross breeding attempted during these years.
Old Spots are by nature a lazy breed and they did not adapt to the indoor pens introduced in the 1930s and by the 1950s this large friendly pig was in grave danger of extinction with less than a hundred in existence.
Worcestershire farmer, George Styles had become so alarmed by the decline of his favourite pig that he set out single handily to save the breed.
Nearly fifty years on, and thanks largely to Mr Styles, the Old Spots are thriving with over 600 breeding females currently registered.
They make excellent mothers and thrive outdoors. Their independence and ability to produce healthy litters twice a year ensures they are fast becoming Britain's favourite organic pig with at least one herd in every county nationwide.
The most popular rare breed for sausage makers is the Gloucester Old Spot, but all are used. Rare breeds are the ancestors of the modern factory pigs. They mature slowly and because they live outdoors they need to develop the muscles and fat needed to survive outside. This gives them a higher fat content and a special taste and texture. Because of this they are unsuitable for modern factory farming methods. Buy our Glocester Old Spot Pork
Some consumers think that rare breeds carry too much fat. Fat gives taste and succulence and is essential in a good sausage. As fans of rare breed meat we would suggest that you try a rare breed sausage, it may convert you!
