Where to Find the Best Farmers’ Markets in London

Where to Find the Best Farmers’ Markets in London

• Visiting London, Top Picks

For freshly picked seasonal produce, organic meat, farm-fresh dairy and still-warm bakes, the weekend markets scattered across the capital invite you to experience the local’s London—but you have to know where to find them. Arm yourself with plenty of cash (many of the stalls don’t have the facilities to accept card payments) and an ample shopper, and head out to our pick of London’s best farmers’ markets.

Marylebone, Sundays 10am-2pm

The humble car park on Cramer Street, just off Marylebone High Street, blooms into full colour on a Sunday morning, with all the usual farmers’ market suspects offering local-to-Greater London produce, cut flowers, organic fruit and vegetables, poultry and game, and British cheeses aplenty. Turophiles will love the creamy blue from The Bath Soft Cheese Company—pick up a fresh baguette and enjoy a picnic in the nearby Paddington Gardens. But before you leave, sample the thirst-quenching birch water–beloved by the Baltic nations–from Priestlands Birch.

South Kensington, Saturdays 9am-2pm

Lined with pretty cafes and speciality food stores—not to mention the renowned Oddono’s Gelati, whose sharp sorbets are a real draw—Bute Street is a lovely place to visit, even without the added bonus of its farmers’ market. Come Saturday, look for the queues and they’ll lead you to The Parson’s Nose, frying up free-range meaty sausage sandwiches served in a fresh roll. When they’re in season, Dallaways Cherries are the freshest you’ll get.

Alexandra Palace, Sundays 10am-3pm

The 40 or so stalls that hedge a leafy lane in Alexandra Palace Park form north London’s biggest and best farmer’s market. Local produce, raw honey, cold-pressed juices, rare-breed pork sausages and handmade pies and pastries are all on the menu, as well as a fantastic Guadeloupean street food stall—skip the slow-cooked chicken and live to regret it! Scattered among the foodie stalls, there are interesting curios, ceramics and books to browse. End your trip with a leisurely stroll through pretty Muswell Hill. When there’s an event on at Alexandra Palace, you’ll find the market at nearby Campsbourne Primary School.

Notting Hill, Saturdays 9am-1pm

If you notice a queue forming in the parking lot behind Waterstones on Kensington Church Street early on Saturday morning, that’ll be the locals waiting for Gary the fishmonger to deliver the day’s catch. This bustling market is Notting Hill’s go-to for the weekly shop. Expect succulent cuts of meat and venison along with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, and notoriously hard-to-find unpasteurised milk and cream from Hurdlebrook. It’s a little pricey, in-keeping with its prestigious postcode, but the atmosphere is vibrant, the stall-holders are friendly and the produce is beautiful.

Queen’s Park, Sundays 10am-2pm

A few streets back from the smart gastropubs, high-end bakeries and chic boutiques along Queen’s Park high street is the Salusbury Primary School playground that hosts a very vibrant market every weekend. Locals are fiercely proud of it, and you’ll find few tourists roaming the stalls. Don’t miss The Garlic Farm’s tremendously popular garlic dumplings—a crowd-pleaser at many of London’s best farmers’ markets—and keep an eye out for Babycakes’ sumptuous chocolate Guinness cake. Sold by the slice, you’ll be tempted to buy the whole lot.

Feature images © RyanJLane/iStock; NeonJellyFish/iStock; MarioGuti/iStock; whitemay/iStock; AzmanL/iStock