Shortbread is one of Britain’s most-loved biscuits, yet so much of what fills supermarket shelves bears little resemblance to the real thing. Proper shortbread needs only a handful of ingredients - butter, flour, sugar and a little cornflour - which means there is nowhere for poor ingredients or rushed baking to hide. This is shortbread made the traditional way: in small, handmade batches, with butter making up a full third of every biscuit, and with no palm oil, no nuts, no preservatives and no additives.
The story begins with founder Tracy Thew, who has been baking shortbread for family and friends for more than 50 years. What started as a personal passion grew into a business based at Burley Rails Cottage, a former woodman’s cottage built in 1811 deep in the New Forest, with production now in nearby Brockenhurst. Every batch is still mixed, baked and hand-packed by Tracy and a small local team, so each biscuit varies slightly in shape and colour - the hallmark of genuine handmade baking. The Original has won Gold at both the World Taste Awards and the Great British Food Awards, alongside a Great Taste Award.
Beyond the Original, the flavoured range is where things get interesting. Bright Lemon and Raspberry, warming Ginger and Cinnamon, rich Chocolate and Coffee, and fragrant Lavender and Rosemary all build on the same buttery base, while the Earl Grey is made in collaboration with the New Forest Tea Company. Limited editions appear through the year too. Each box is illustrated by local artists, making them a lovely gift in their own right.
Explore more from our biscuits and shortbread range, pair a box with something from our tea, coffee and hot chocolate range, or serve the Rosemary alongside a board from our British cheese range. For gifting, browse our hampers and gifts.
Handmade, award-winning and properly buttery - this is shortbread as it should be. Order online at Farmfetch for easy UK delivery.
