Gastronomic delights in the UK don’t come much better than via the creamy cheeses, sweet local honeys, and freshly baked dusty loaves of the modern farmers’ markets. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Cotswolds are a haven for this kind of alimentary pleasure, and Cheltenham Farmers’ Market, held on the second and last friday of each month, is reputedly the best in Gloucestershire. Offering seasonal produce such as succulent organic meats and charcuterie, alongside traditional preserves and pickles, baked goods, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, desserts, plants, and more, the fabulous farmers’ market is yet another reason to visit this stunning Regency town at any time of the year.
While in Gloucestershire, Daylesford Organic Farm just outside Stow-on-the-Wold might not be a farmers’ market per se, but it’s a must-visit for any foodie. Supplying big names such as Ocado and Selfridges Food Hall, Daylesford Organic Farm also sells its sumptuous wares from its various London delis in Notting Hill, Pimlico, and Marylebone. With an onsite dairy and market garden, the farm also breeds organic animals and boasts an award-winning cafe and pizza bar, as well as a shop, butcher, bakery, creamery, fishmonger, grocer, and more.
Head north for Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. With over 50 producers, the majority of the stallholders come into Edinburgh each Saturday morning to sell the goods they’ve grown, baked, made, or prepared themselves in the week. With everything from modern Scottish streetfood to free range duck eggs, locally brewed organic beer, handmade chocolates, venison, game, and even Scottish-made fine leather goods and Shetland knitwear, the market is the perfect place to shop for a souvenir or a gift for a loved one (or yourself).
Winning BBC Radio 4’s Best Food Market in the Food and Farming Awards 2014, Aberystwyth Farmers’ Market takes place every third and first Saturday of the month. The market has been praised for its low-key, honest producers, who sell at fair prices. With Welsh woodworkers, cider producers, micro distillers, welshcake bakers, local butchers, cheese producers, Asian food specialists, bag makers, organic gardeners and poultry farmers all represented, Wales has never looked or tasted so good.
With a massive 230 stalls (dwarfing Aberystwyth Farmers’ Market’s mere 30), St George’s Market in Belfast is one of the city’s oldest attractions. The permanent market structure is home to a variety of different markets throughout the week, but Saturday’s City Food and Craft Market is a foodie paradise. With gourmet delights from all over Northern Ireland, visitors to St George’s can enjoy fish landed at Portavogie, fresh pork from Cookstown, Armagh beef, wild boar, pheasant, teas, coffee beans, and organic produce, as well as locally made pottery, glasswork, metalwork, and other crafts, all with the pleasant backdrop of ambient live Irish music.
Finally, Winchester Farmers’ Market is the largest in the country, and voted the UK’s best by The Guardian’s Food Magazine. Conveniently located near the city’s train station, this twice-monthly market has been featured on Rick Stein’s food programme and offers up the best of local Hampshire produce to its discerning clientele. Come here for buffalo burgers, hog roasts, locally made ice cream, soft breads, goat meat, cheeses and dairy products, as well as flowers, shrubs, and trees.
kate and toms have a large selection of properties all across the UK to help make your visit to one of these farmers markets extra special. Head over to our properties page for more.
