Edible Ornamentals
Edible Ornamentals
5
About
We began selling chilli pepper plants in 2001. The plants, and later pickles and sauces, gained very favorable attention and in 2007 we purchased Cherwood Nursery in Chawston which we renovated. Known for its 'Pick Your Own' chilli tunnel which is open to the public, the nursery has become the destination of choice for European hot pepper enthusiasts. In addition to fresh retail and wholesale chillies we also produce a selection of gourmet sauces, spice rubs, dried, smoked, frozen, and pickled chillies processed onsite in a 5 'Stars On The Doors' production kitchen. We also 'grow-to-order' for many other European hot sauce producers, restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens, and distinguished retailers such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason. We host tours and workshops. Our chilli sauces are available from the nursery and local Waitrose stores. Edible Ornamentals has featured in the national daily press, The Economist and leading national trade publications The Grocer and Fresh Produce Journal. Joanna featured as a chilli expert on BBC's 3 Counties Radio, Radio 2's 'Chris Evans Show', and Radio 4's 'You and Yours' and has appeared in many TV programmes including Ready Steady Cook, Economy Gastronomy, Market Kitchen, Countrywise, Gordon Ramsay's 'Ultimate Cookery Course', 'The Hairy Bikers' and ITV's 'Sunday Brunch'. Heston Blumenthol visited and filmed an episode of his Channel 4 series "Great British Food" which featured Shawn and Heston eating a Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, hottest chilli in the world at that time. Edible Ornamentals won an extremely prestigious "Grower Of The Year Award" at the annual Horticultural Weekly sponsored event in 2011. That same year we were crowned "Best Chilli Grower UK" at the Fiery Foods Festival in Brighton. We were also named 'Local Food Hero' for East Anglia by the Good Food Channel's Market Kitchen and in 2015 awarded an extremely prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Darren BBedford, United Kingdom157 contributionsExcellent tour and tea but also brilliant for a quick chilli plant or product shopExcellent. Original through my own fault booked for one 'experience' when I realised on the day I'd messed up. A quick call and so friendly and accommodating, it was all sorted and booked onto correct Afternoon Tea and Tasting. No bother, no come back, no charges. Just helpful smiling happy folk at Edible Ornamentals. Tour of chilli glasshouse led by a clear enthusiast, and an American with a great sense of humour ( a belittling one, he's adapted well to life in England!). Brilliant tasting session, no hard sell to buy products. And a wonderful afternoon tea, lovely fresh brown bread sandwiches, choc chilli cake and scones. Tea or coffee, Veggie option. Brilliant value and engaging afternoon.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 July 2023
- timotayleePeterborough, United Kingdom68 contributionsA proper hidden gem. 5 stars. 6 if I could.A proper hidden gem. We had a fantastic time thanks to Shawn and Joanna. I really do think good hosts make for a better experience and we couldn’t have asked for more. Their knowledge in all things chilli is amazing and their enthusiasm is even more amazing. We tried a wide range of chilli products and fresh chillis (the yellow habanero got me and the Trinidad scorpion got my wife) after hearing the history of the farm and about different types of chilli plants. We then sat down and had a different, but most amazing afternoon tea prepared by Joanna and Thomas. Thanks again, we will definitely recommend and return!Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 July 2023
- Jan P6 contributionsChilli afternoon TeaWe had an amazing afternoon yesterday. Shawn was very informative with his talk about chillies. We then tried a variety of sauces and real chillies!! The chilli tea was delicious all items had a chilli twist! Joanna was very helpful and made sure I had a veggie option. We would definitely recommend.Visited August 2023Written 6 August 2023
- Steve P2 contributionsSome like it Hot!Really great to learn first hand about Chillies, their differences and potency from a knowledgeable and entertaining professional grower. An enjoyable couple of hours with some tasty surprises! If you are into Chillies, and want to know how to grow them, and facinating facts and figures about them, this is the place to be. Recommended.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 August 2023
- Sabina1 contributionChill tasting and afternoon teaThe entire experience was fantastic. We started with a very informative (and fun) talk from Shawn about the types of chillis and their brilliant family business. After a tour we got to sample different types (and flavours) of chillis before tucking into a delicious afternoon tea. Every item served had chilli included, my favourite being the freshly baked chilli chocolate cake. The experience was meant to be just for two but on the day Joanna kindly accommodated for my teenage son to join us. He thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Being vegetarian wasn’t an issue as we were catered for. We left having purchased some delicious and reasonably priced sauces and took away many new fun facts! It was a nice and different way to spend the afternoon, and wonderful to support a local business.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 24 August 2023
- Mr_KimbleSicily, Italy1 contributionOne of the best local visits we’ve done!!!Used my daughter’s birthday gift voucher to attend a ‘chilli experience’ yesterday. Didn’t know what to expect - the event was really wonderful! Sean and Joanna are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about everything chilli!! Sean’s introductory talk and guided tour were excellent; Joanna’s chilli tasting was informative and spicy!!! We would recommend this visit to anyone - particularly those passionate about chillies in all shapes and sizes.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 September 2023
- Ed B1 contributionTour and tasting experienceJoined a friend who had received a voucher for the tour experience. The owners were very welcoming and knowledgeable. The tour was very interesting and the tasting was superb although the Dorset Naga is still painful several hours later!! Must be tried though! Would thoroughly recommendVisited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 22 September 2023
- PeteL-MKMilton Keynes, United Kingdom20 contributionsSuperb experience!What a fantastic experience! Both Joanna and Tomaz were knowledgeable, great communicators and PERFECT hosts! I've grown Chillies for several years but still came away with 3 new gems of information to improve my crops. Thank you both so much!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 October 2023
- webo323Bedford, United Kingdom14 contributionsUnique experienceWe have done quite a few afternoon tea’s, however, this experience is very different to the norm. The tour, chilli sauces and dips tasting and afternoon tea were absolutely fantastic. So much so, that we took a bagful of goodies home with us. Thank you to Joanna for an amazing afternoon tea, with chilli add in various forms to the sandwiches, chocolate cake and jam, it complimented the afternoon yea perfectly. I would also like to say a big thank you to Thomas for entertaining and educating us, with both the tour and the tasting. His enthusiasm and warm personality, really enabled everyone in the group to take part and really engage with each other. It was a really great day, would definitely recommend. 😁Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- Wendy OWelwyn Garden City, United Kingdom16 contributionsFabulously hot enjoyable day!The tour, chilli sauces, dips tasting and afternoon tea were absolutely fantastic. I would also like to say a big thank you to Tomas for entertaining and educating us, with both the tour ,the tasting,also the medicinal properties of the lemon chilli.( Will definitely give it a try) His enthusiasm and warm personality, really enabled everyone in the group to take part and really engage with each other. Thank you to Joanna for an amazing afternoon tea, with chilli in various forms added to the sandwiches, chocolate cake and jam, it complimented the afternoon tea perfectly. We have done a few afternoon tea's, however, this experience is very different to the norm. It was a really great day, would definitely recommend.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
572 reviews
Excellent
500
Very good
56
Average
7
Poor
6
Terrible
3
860marie
Norfolk, UK100 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We really enjoyed the chilli workshop. Shawn's knowledge was amazing and he was passionate about the subject . We started with propagation right through to a taster section at the end . Fingers crossed the seeds we planted and brought home with us grow into fantastic plants .
They sell some amazing products . Hope to visit again in the summer to see some of the different varieties of chilli plants .
They sell some amazing products . Hope to visit again in the summer to see some of the different varieties of chilli plants .
Written 7 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SC M
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Couples
We had a delicious afternoon tea and chilli tasting session today. The hosts were incredibly lovely, knowledgeable, welcoming and were so kind to accommodate our 12 year old daughter. They really went the extra mile. Can't wait to go again and buy some plants when they're growing! Many thanks!
Written 6 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louisa L
4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The hosts definitely make the experience... they're so welcoming and knowledgeable. The afternoon tea with a chilli tasting was amazing (and very hot!) 🥵 Lol
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NeilGGCC
Milton Keynes, UK19 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
Great place! Friendly staff, fun activities, delicious food. The raw chilli tasting is the highlight.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amanda h
Stamford, UK234 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had a great couple of hours here. We had been many years ago for the tour and enjoyed it so were thrilled to get a voucher for this experience as a gift. We had a lovely afternoon. The information about the chilli growing beforehand and seeing the amazing tunnels full of thousands of chilli plants of every variety was so interesting. Thomas was great fun as well as being extremely knowledgeable and he just engaged with everyone and made it fun. The tasting of all the sauces and then the real test of tasting raw chillies was hilarious…everyone got into it and enjoyed themselves, thankfully with jugs of milk on the side if needed!
Joanna was just delightful and showed us around initially and gave us some history of the place. She also produced the amazing afternoon tea! I have to say here I don’t like typical afternoon teas as usually its one sandwich then a ridiculous amount of cake! This was perfectly balanced with sandwiches and wraps, the fillings containing gentle flavourings of chilli of one kind or another, then an amazing chocolate chilli cake and delicious scones with of couse chilli jam. The food was insanely fresh and delicious, it really was, we were so impressed. Also obviously copious amounts of tea and coffee. There were a couple of very well behaved children in the group and they were given their sandwiches and cakes chilli free which we thought was very kind and thoughtful. We had to buy some goodies to take away so chose the honey, made from a lemon chilli which was lovely to taste and is meant to be medicinal and a divine red onion relish/chutney which will be delicious with cold meats, cheeses and sausages! A fabulous time, I’m sure we will be back if only to buy some amazing plants next year. Thanks for a great time and we wish you continued and well deserved success.
We obviously went at the end of the growing season. We did think afterwards it might be a good thing for them to do a bit of a film showing the growing season from the start to finish and how it all works. That would be so interesting to see on a tour, whatever time of year you visit. Just a thought! Thanks for a lovely time again!
Joanna was just delightful and showed us around initially and gave us some history of the place. She also produced the amazing afternoon tea! I have to say here I don’t like typical afternoon teas as usually its one sandwich then a ridiculous amount of cake! This was perfectly balanced with sandwiches and wraps, the fillings containing gentle flavourings of chilli of one kind or another, then an amazing chocolate chilli cake and delicious scones with of couse chilli jam. The food was insanely fresh and delicious, it really was, we were so impressed. Also obviously copious amounts of tea and coffee. There were a couple of very well behaved children in the group and they were given their sandwiches and cakes chilli free which we thought was very kind and thoughtful. We had to buy some goodies to take away so chose the honey, made from a lemon chilli which was lovely to taste and is meant to be medicinal and a divine red onion relish/chutney which will be delicious with cold meats, cheeses and sausages! A fabulous time, I’m sure we will be back if only to buy some amazing plants next year. Thanks for a great time and we wish you continued and well deserved success.
We obviously went at the end of the growing season. We did think afterwards it might be a good thing for them to do a bit of a film showing the growing season from the start to finish and how it all works. That would be so interesting to see on a tour, whatever time of year you visit. Just a thought! Thanks for a lovely time again!
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy O
Welwyn Garden City, UK16 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The tour, chilli sauces, dips tasting and afternoon tea were absolutely fantastic. I would also like to say a big thank you to Tomas for entertaining and educating us, with both the tour ,the tasting,also the medicinal properties of the lemon chilli.( Will definitely give it a try)
His enthusiasm and warm personality, really enabled everyone in the group to take part and really engage with each other. Thank you to Joanna for an amazing afternoon tea, with chilli in various forms added to the sandwiches, chocolate cake and jam, it complimented the afternoon tea perfectly. We have done a few afternoon tea's, however, this experience is very different to the norm. It was a really great day, would definitely recommend.
His enthusiasm and warm personality, really enabled everyone in the group to take part and really engage with each other. Thank you to Joanna for an amazing afternoon tea, with chilli in various forms added to the sandwiches, chocolate cake and jam, it complimented the afternoon tea perfectly. We have done a few afternoon tea's, however, this experience is very different to the norm. It was a really great day, would definitely recommend.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
webo323
Bedford, UK14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We have done quite a few afternoon tea’s, however, this experience is very different to the norm. The tour, chilli sauces and dips tasting and afternoon tea were absolutely fantastic. So much so, that we took a bagful of goodies home with us. Thank you to Joanna for an amazing afternoon tea, with chilli add in various forms to the sandwiches, chocolate cake and jam, it complimented the afternoon yea perfectly. I would also like to say a big thank you to Thomas for entertaining and educating us, with both the tour and the tasting. His enthusiasm and warm personality, really enabled everyone in the group to take part and really engage with each other. It was a really great day, would definitely recommend. 😁
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam N
Milton Keynes, UK2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Great experience, hosts were fabulous explaining about growing chilli's. Tasting chilli's and sauces at the end of the tour was great as you can make appropriate purchases based on your palete
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua W
Bristol, UK1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Interesting tour about how chilli’s are growing followed by tasting of lots of chilli’s and sauces worth doing
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stay431028
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Thank you so much for the enlightening cooking with chilli's experience, Joanna and the team's knowledge and passion for the plant shone through on the day and I'll definitely be back to learn more.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dharma
Loughborough, UK153 contributions
I would like to take my husband, the dates we will be in the are is 16th to 18th March 2018 can someone please advise how I can book experience
mickmickys
Bedford, UK29 contributions
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Claim your listingEdible Ornamentals - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Edible Ornamentals
- Edible Ornamentals is open:
- Fri - Sun 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Hotels near Edible Ornamentals:
- (1.86 km) The Waterfront Hotel, Spa & Golf
- (2.20 km) Premier Inn St. Neots
- (2.49 km) Premier Inn St. Neots (Colmworth Park) hotel
- (1.07 km) The Willows Training Centre
- (8.14 km) Cambridgeshire Lakes
- Restaurants near Edible Ornamentals:
- (4.58 km) Olive Naturally Indian St Neots Branch
- (5.01 km) Rose and Mango
- (2.48 km) The Highwayman Cookhouse + Pub
- (5.01 km) Poppy's Vintage Tea Room
- (6.88 km) The Plough