Cromwell's troops when quartered in Reading, made reference to a locally bred pig renowned for its size and the quality of its bacon and ham. This turned out to be one of the earliest records of the Berkshire breed. Today's Berkshires are a smaller pig, black in colour, with prick ears, white socks, white tip to tail. They are hardy and well suited to outdoor rearing.

The herd lives in the ancient orchard and hazel coppice on the slopes of Ben Knowle hill.

Our Berkshire pigs produce fine pork with outstanding flavour. We are selling by the half a pig consisting of shoulder joints in two pieces, back - chump end as chops and loin end boned and rolled and the leg in two pieces. The belly is left whole for you to have a spare ribs or to home cure.

We have half pigs available from 22 - 26 kilos and priced at £5.50 per kilo. Sausages are also available at £3.00 per pack.

Our next weaners are arriving in February. Anyone interested in joining our raise your own pig scheme where you select your pig as a weaner at about 8 weeks old and we rear it as part of our free range herd, send you the pig owner's newsletter and pictures showing your pig's progress. You can visit your pig on open days and even take it for a walk on the hill! When the time comes our butcher will prepare the meat cuts to your requirements.

To join our raise your own pig scheme please contact James at james@panniersfarm.co.uk