Where to buy wild venison
Wild venison is a naturally healthy, high-quality meat and one of the Chilterns’ most sustainable local foods. As deer numbers rise, careful management helps protect woodland biodiversity. We aim to promote local suppliers and restaurants and make it easier for people to buy responsibly sourced venison from the Chilterns.
Why choose wild venison?
Wild venison offers a range of benefits for people, nature and the local economy:
- Better for the environment – locally sourced, wild venison has a low carbon footprint and supports sustainable deer management, helping woodlands regenerate and protecting sensitive habitats.
- Healthy and nutritious – high in protein, low in fat, and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, venison is a lean, flavourful alternative to other red meats.
- Supports local communities – buying local venison helps trained deer managers, butchers, small businesses and land managers who care for the landscape.
- A truly wild, natural product – no feed, no transport, no intensive farming, just healthy deer living in the Chilterns countryside.
Putting venison back on the menu
Venison produced locally is an environmentally friendly, sustainable and healthy alternative to other red meat.
Local processing standards/food hygiene
All venison offered for sale must meet the U.K.’s food safety standards. This applies whether you supply whole carcasses, joints, or processed products like sausages or burgers.
Key points from the Food Standards Agency’s Wild Game Guide include:
- Hygienic handling from field to chiller, including prompt gralloching (removal of organs) and clean transport.
- Effective chilling between 1-7 °C to preserve quality.
- Registration as a food business if you process or sell venison to the public.
- Use of an Approved Game Handling Establishment (AGHE) if supplying large-scale retail or wholesale markets.
- Record keeping, traceability and clear labelling.
Register as a Chilterns venison supplier/restaurant
If you produce, process or sell wild venison in the Chilterns, you can register your business to be featured on this interactive map and supplier list.
This helps customers find high-quality, locally sourced venison and supports sustainable, nature-friendly land management across the Chilterns.
The map below shows farm shops and pubs serving wild Chilterns venison during the season. If you would like to register your farm shop or pub/restaurant, please complete this form. The map will be updated periodically.
If you have questions please email chilterndeer@hotmail.com.