It’s About Thyme is ‘A High Street Farm Shop’, enthusiastically supporting our local Isle of Wight producers, growers and farmers. Owned and run by us, Gareth and Sarah. Paul Murphy is our lovely resident butcher who is passing all his knowledge and experience down, so a new generation can continue.
We proudly sell what we love from the Island and other small producers around the UK, Spain, Italy and the Middle East. We work closely with single farms to bring the best meat the Island has to offer. More information can be found on the butchery page about the individual meats.
Opened in 2019 as a shoe box size deli and greengrocers just a few doors down, we then expanded the business into larger premises incorporating Paul Murphy butchery in 2021, who had a butchery across the road for 8 years. We’ve written a whole blog about it, which you are welcome to read.
Sarah & Gareth moved to the Island in 2011 and very quickly it became home, now having never lived anywhere longer (we did move a lot!).
Initially opening a brand new guest house which was soon accredited 5 stars, probably the most popular aspect for guests was the breakfast. From day 1 meat was sourced from local butchers – initially the butcher we chose was nearly 10 miles away at Briddlesford Farm, but it was worth the journey to give guests a full IOW experience. We also sourced the best black pudding from Stornoway in the Scottish Hebrides (now available to buy in our shop). Then fortunately Paul Murphy opened a butchery in Shanklin, which was a 5 minute walk from the Old Village where the guest house was and we soon became firm friends.
It’s About Thyme then opened it’s doors opposite Paul in 2019 and much fun was had. Every Saturday whilst the butchery was being cleaned (by poor Lyn) Paul would appear with a little ticket in his shirt pocket to collect our money for all the sausage roll meat!
The Covid lockdowns meant that we were the only businesses open in the street and being able to work and deliver food probably saved our sanity and our bank account. It also enabled the business to grow, but then we had to make a decision about whether we continue with the guest house or expand It’s About Thyme. Doing both at the same time was a bit of a challenge! Paul, who was looking at his retirement plans suggested we buy his business and enable him to slow down, but still bringing his knowledge and love to the town of Shanklin. And here we are… expanding further!
You will quite often see Beth, our daughter, working behind the till at the weekends, making chicken skewers or learning to make coffee. At the weekends she likes to make everyone pancakes.
