11 of the best farmers markets in the UK

France gets it right. There’s barely a town or village that doesn’t have a regular market, packed with locally produced goodies.

Mounds of fresh garlic, bundles of bright-green-topped carrots with the earth still clinging to roots, trays of white-and-brown shelled eggs, the aroma of freshly baked bread, buns and pies, women under huge umbrellas selling nothing but goats cheese – and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Those are the very best farmers markets.

Montsoreau market, France © rosemaryandporkbelly.co.uk
Montsoreau market, Loire France

Until the next market.

In the UK, despite having hundreds of designated ‘market towns’, we have lost our way a bit.

But in 1997 the first farmers’ market was established in Bath – still going strong every Saturday morning from May to September at Green Park – and started a resurgence which now sees over 600 local markets nationwide.

The definition of a farmers’ market is one where ‘local farmers and growers sell their produce directly to the public’.

The very best of them find a way to give back to the community over and above providing a different way to Shop Local.


Here are 11 of the best farmers’ markets in the UK

Farmers markets in Scotland

Market stalls at Loch Lomond Shores market, Scotland
Loch Lomond Shores market

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

The Saturday market in Castle Terrace is the largest in Scotland. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, it has more than 35 regular specialist producers, the majority of whom grow or rear their own produce.

Loch Lomond Farmers’ Market, West Dunbartonshire

The shores of Loch Lomond at Balloch are full of local produce on the first and third Sunday of every month What’s available varies greatly with the seasons, but there’s usually cheese, bread, chutney, oils and meats on Ben Lomond Way.

Bakery stall, Loch Lomond Shores market
Some home baking at Loch Lomond Shores market

Farmers markets in Wales

Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market
Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market

Uplands Market, Swansea

The biggest indoor market in Wales sells a range of produce, from handmade items to locally produced meats, pies, fuit and veggies on the last Saturday of every month. You can also see local performers of poetry, songs and music take to the stage at the venue in Princess Way.

Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market, Pembrokeshire

Every Friday in summer the River Cleddau provides the backdrop for the market near the Riverside Shopping area. In winter the shopping doesn’t stop, but moves under the cover into the Argos tunnel.

Produce at Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market
Some of the many stalls at Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market

Farmers markets in Northern Ireland

St George's Market the last surviving Victorian covered market in Belfast © infomatique/Flickr
St George’s Market is the last surviving Victorian covered market in Belfast

St George’s Market, Belfast

The market in East Bridge Street dates from the late 1800s and is one of the city’s oldest attractions. It holds a weekly Friday Variety Market, the City Food and Craft Market on Saturdays and a Sunday Market.

It was named the UK’s Best Large Indoor Market 2019 by the NABMA Great British Market Awards.

Fishmonger, St George's Market, East Bridge Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland © ArdfernWikimedia
Fishmonger at the covered market, Belfast Photo: Ardfern/Wikimedia (cc by-sa 3.0)

Farmers markets in England

Stall holders at Orton Farmers Market © Alan Roberts
Stall holders at Orton Farmers Market © Alan Roberts Photography

Orton Farmers’ Market, Cumbria

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.

Stalls by Orton Market Hall © PIX by LJ
Stalls by Orton Market Hall © PIX by LJ

Ripley Farmers’ Market, Surrey

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.

Ripley Farmers’ Market, Surrey

Early morning at Ripley Market ©rosemaryandporkbelly
Early morning at Ripley Farmers Market

Otley Farmers’ Market, West Yorkshire

Set in the glorious Yorkshire Dales the market is held on the last Sunday of each month and is full of jams, honey, preserves, fresh eggs, homemade bread, plants and herbs.

Stroud Fresh-n-Local Market, Gloucestershire

One of Britain’s most famous farmers’ markets, it sells an abundance of Gloucestershire specialities. Look out for traditional apple juices and a selection of mouth-watering cheeses in Cornhill Market Place.

They’ve even got an online system too where locals can place their orders on the Thursday before the market, then boxes are made up from the stalls and delivery or collection arranged.

Growing Communities’ Farmers’ Market, north-east London
Growing Communities’ Farmers’ Market, north-east London. Photo: Growing Communities Market

Growing Communities’ Farmers’ Market, north-east London

Guaranteed 100% organic or bio-dynamic produce is on offer every Saturday at St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington, north-east London.

All the farmers come from no further than 60 miles away from the London borough.

Global Fusion at Growing Communities Market
Global Fusion. Photo: Growing Communities Market

Truro Farmers’ Market, Cornwall

The pride of Cornish goodies are on display every Wednesday and Saturday under the white-and-green striped awnings at Lemon Quay.

Flowers, fruit and veg, blue duck eggs, local cheese and meat raised on green Cornish pasture.

English cherries from Kent © rosemaryandporkbelly.co.uk The best farmers markets
English cherries from Kent © rosemaryandporkbelly

There are many other farmer’s markets now thriving in the UK, so it’s worth checking the sites below to find one near you. Let us know your favourite.

More information about UK farmers’ markets

There are two main organisations who support UK based farmers’ markets, the Farm Retail Association (formerly known as FARMA) and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Farm Retail Association
Campaign to Protect Rural England
Many local authorities and community-based charities also support the running of small, local produce markets, and NABMA promotes the annual Love Your Local Market fortnight in May.
NABMA


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