Whether you’re looking for seasonal fruit and veg for your family feasts, unique condiments and local cheeses to impress guests, or just fancy treating yourself to a homemade cake or a vase of freshly cut flowers, Gloucestershire has an abundance of farmers’ markets just waiting to be explored.
With stallholders and farmers offering everything from locally-reared meats and organic fruit and veg, to craft beer, hot sauce and jam, there really is something to satisfy every food and drink connoisseur in SoGlos’s pick of the best Gloucestershire farmers’ markets to visit.
Stroud farmers’ market
Stroud is one of the biggest, busiest and most popular farmers’ markets in the UK, boasting between 45 and 60 stalls each week and plenty of organic producers selling artisan food and drink at Cornhill Market Place.
On top of heaps of local produce, including cooked food stalls all year round, there is also a wide range of traditional and contemporary crafts, a cafe for a welcome rest and even a buskers’ corner, with the award-winning market taking place every Saturday from 9am to 2pm — plus, its new vegan market showcases plant-based produce every last Sunday of the month from 10am until 4pm.
Cheltenham farmers’ market
More than 30 bustling stalls from farmers and businesses within a 30-mile radius of Cheltenham line the Promenade from 9am to 2pm on the second and last Friday of every month.
The market offers a wide array of delectable delights, including meats, cheeses and charcuterie; fresh fruit and veg; preserves and pickles; delicious desserts and homemade cakes; artisan breads; and even cider, perry and wine to tempt passing foodies.
Gloucester farmers’ market
Every Friday from 9am to 3pm, The Cross in Gloucester is transformed into a bustling farming hub, when more than 20 vendors take up temporary residence to sell a wide range of quality local food and drink.
Keen foodies will find everything from award-winning cheeses, wines and ciders, to prime meats and poultry straight from the farm, with a host of seasonal delights including fresh fruit and veg from local growers along with a variety of hot street food to tuck into.
Tewkesbury farmers’ market
Local farmers and producers pitch up at Abbey Lawns in Tewkesbury on the second Saturday of the month to sell an array of local delights, often spanning fresh local meats; homemade cakes; home baked breads; preserves; pies; seasonal fruits and vegetables; along with a selection of local beers and ciders.
The small farmers’ market is open from 9am to 1.30pm and benefits from the striking backdrop of Tewkesbury Abbey — and shoppers can also sometimes find traditional and contemporary crafts for sale, too.
Cirencester farmers’ market
Head to Cirencester on the second and fourth Saturday of every month for more seasonal fruit and veg than you can shake a stick at, along with locally-brewed beer, freshly cut flowers, game, poultry, a choice of cheeses and even the odd brownie stall.
Held at Market Place, near the Kings Head Hotel from 9am to 2.30pm, shoppers can discover delights from a range of local producers and makers including Gloucester’s Over Farm, Corinium Ales, Hobbs House Bakery, The Costwold Curer and more.
Stow-on-the-Wold farmers’ market
Visit the charming Cotswold market town of Stow-on-the-Wold on the second Thursday of every month from October to March, or the second and last Thursday from April to September, to stock up on an array of fine local produce at its bustling farmers’ market.
Shoppers can peruse the 20 or so stalls that line Market Square, spanning everything from farmhouse cheeses; wines, ciders, juices; to freshly-baked bread and pastries, along with plenty of locally-reared meats, fruit and veg.
Tetbury farmers’ market
Tetbury plays host to a market every Wednesday and Saturday, with stallholders gathering at the iconic Grade I-listed Market House building in the centre of the pretty Cotswold town.
Visitors can expect to find a range of seasonal produce including vegetables, pies and fresh fish on Wednesdays, with crafts, plants, books and jewellery on offer on Saturdays.
Minchinhampton farmers’ market
A warm welcome and a wide range of local produce await foodies upstairs in Minchinhampton Market House, just a stone’s throw from the famous common.
Local producers and artisans set up stalls every Wednesday from 8.30am to 12pm, with the chance to stock up on everything from plants and flowers, preserves and sweet or savoury baked goods, to free range eggs, seasonal fruit and veg, along with a selection of crafts.
Moreton-in-Marsh farmers’ market
Every Tuesday, growers, farmers, artisan food and drink producers and local crafters descend on the pretty Cotswold town of Moreton-in-Marsh.
Offering everything from fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish; cakes and bakes; produce from fresh eggs and cheese to biltong; to a range of arts and crafts, plants, candles, gifts and lots more, shoppers can browse from 9am to 3pm — or stick around for the afternoon and head to one of the many coffee shops or pubs that line the High Street.
