Does the thought of a delicious local hamper of foodie treats tickle your taste buds? Imagine creamy and tangy local cheeses, freshly baked flavoursome breads and fluffy scones still warm from the oven, topped with thick cream and sweet homely jams. Or perhaps, earthy wholesome vegetables and organic fruit; smoked fish and cured meats, each with individual tastes capturing the flavours of the region that nurtured them.
We’ve put together a tasty guide of all the local farmers' markets around the UK that 'tick all the boxes' for delicious local foods. Taste the enticing different flavours of the country by visiting these appetising hot spots.
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Farmers' markets in the South West
Truro and Falmouth
Head to Truro for their award-winning market held every Wednesday and Saturday. Pick up anything from meat and dairy, fruit and veg, savoury breads and sweet preserves. If you're inspired for more finger-licking Cornish cuisine, nip down to Falmouth on a Tuesday and head to ‘The Moor’. Famous for its seafood splendour and oyster festivals, you won’t be short of local cuisine at Falmouth's Farmers' Market, backed by the gorgeous seafront.
Tavistock
Just across the border into Devon and the beautiful Tamar Valley, step into the traditional market town of Tavistock. Sample the fine creamy taste of the country cheeses and browse around the stallholder’s trade-stands selling everything from locally made handcrafted gifts and fresh produce to local antiquities. The Tavistock Farmers' Market is held on the second and fourth week of every month - this is a treasured town for a taste of Devon not to be missed.
Taunton
Taunton market local farmers and producers will only be too pleased to share information about their bounties of Somerset delicacies at Taunton's Farmer's Market. Look for a wide selection of regional cheeses, free-range and organic meat and eggs, chutneys, cakes and many more local specialities. Held every Thursday, why not browse the 25 stalls stuffed with local goodies and take some home with you?
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Farmers' markets on the South Coast
Winchester
Every other month, Winchester's farmers' market comes to the city. You can be sure that all of the incredible produce on offer comes from local farmers and suppliers from Hampshire. From fresh fruit and veg to organic soap made from goat's milk, you'll find a superb choice of goods each week to tempt your tastebuds.
Ripley
More than 30 stalls of seasonal, locally farmed or produced goods including speciality foods, crafts and plants. The market, established in 2005, is held on Ripley Green on the second Saturday of the month and all proceeds go towards funding good works in the village.
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Farmers' markets in the Heart of England
Cheltenham Spa
Held during the second and last Friday of every month from 9 am – 3 pm, this vibrant market has recently been declared the best farmers' market in Gloucestershire by Cotswold Life. If that isn’t enough to tempt you to pay a visit, maybe the thought of the sweet and sticky freshly made desserts will, alongside stalls packed full of plants, meats, Cotswold cheese and local fruit and vegetables.
Stroud
Voted Best Farmers' Market in the UK 2013 by FARMA for the second time running, Stroud's market is certainly one of Britain’s most renowned, regularly appearing on TV shows. Held every Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm, head to Cornhill Market Place and hunt through the award-winning stalls for local produce and handcrafted goods ranging from chutneys and cakes, Cotswolds cheeses and organic vegetables to handmade soaps, scrumptious snacks and smoked specialities and more; all gathered and made from a 17-mile radius. What more could you ask for a local harvest of treats?
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Farmers' markets in the North of England
Moseley
Moseley market is held once a month on the last Friday, and has about 50 stalls and offers a wide range of locally grown and sourced produce that's as tasty as it is healthy. It is one of the best farmers' markets in the Midlands and the North of England.
Orton
With more than 25 local farmers, growers, producers and craftsmen, variety is guaranteed in Orton Market Hall. As well as making local foods more available, they support town centre regeneration schemes and aim to reduce the environmental impact of the food trade.
Otley
Set in the glorious Yorkshire Dales, the market takes place on the last Sunday of each month and is full of jams, honey, preserves, fresh eggs, homemade bread, plants and herbs.
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Farmers' markets in the East of England
Loddon
Everything at Loddon farmers’ market has been produced in East Anglia. All food and drink sold must have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed in the region. Buying locally reduces the distance from field to fork. With around 30 stalls, Loddon Farmers’ Market offers a superb selection of local Norfolk and Suffolk produce. It is held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month in the Jubilee Hall on George Lane.
Beccles
They certainly know a thing or two about selling quality local produce at the Beccles farmers' market as they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year! The event offers visitors around 30 stalls and they meet twice a month making it one of the biggest rural markets in the UK.
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Farmers' markets in Wales
Haverfordwest
Every Friday, up to 50 stallholders come together for Haverfordwest's farmers' market along the riverside of Haverfordwest to offer visitors and locals alike a bounty of home-reared meats, award-winning cheeses, and an interesting collection of shellfish and seafood stalls. There’s plenty to see in this outdoor market in the heart of Haverfordwest’s community, so if you’re passing make sure to pay a visit!
Cardiff
Located close to Cardiff city centre, this popular farmers' market isn’t hard to miss. Head to the banks of the River Taff on a Sunday between 10 am - 2 pm to stock up on fresh local and international foods, bursting full of flavours.
Swansea
As the biggest indoor market in Wales, the Swansea Farmers' Market, boasts a wealth of yummy local delicacies. From laverbread and Welsh cakes to cockles and regional cheeses, enjoy browsing over 100 stalls stuffed with produce as local as their traders; many of whom have served the people of Swansea for generations.
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Farmers' markets in Scotland
Edinburgh
The largest farmers' market in Scotland, Edinburgh's Farmers' Market is held every Saturday on Castle Terrace, under the magnificent presence of Edinburgh Castle itself. Snap up some of Scotland’s finest meats, honey, seafood, pates and seasonal vegetables from the abundance of primary specialist producers. Soak up a real traditional atmosphere.
Loch Lomond
The shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch farmer's market are full on the first and third Sunday of every month with local produce. What’s available varies greatly with the seasons but there’s usually cheese, bread, chutney, oils and meats on Ben Lomond Way.
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Find your nearest farmers' market
Stay in a self-catering holiday cottage
We have some lovely self-catering holiday cottages all over beautiful the British Isles, close to many of the farmers' markets featured in this guide. Where will you stay on your holiday?
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