If anyone were going to try and sell you fresh air, it might be at a market. Make it a Farmers’ Market and you better prepare to pay a bit more for the pleasure. Islington Farmers’ Market promises ‘Fresh food, fresh air’, which has a lovely ring to it if you overlook the fact the air you’ll be breathing is in The Big Smoke. Maybe these farmers are ironic as well as organic?
Cynicism aside, the beauty of this market is that it brings a taste of the rural into the urban. The first market of its kind to open in London back in 1999, it’s still going strong, despite a couple of location changes. These days you’ll find it at Chapel Market, between Penton and Baron street, every Sunday from 10am until 2pm, whatever the weather. The market was started by revered food writer Nina Planck and allows customers to meet the makers of some fantastic natural produce in the great outdoors.
Definitely come with an appetite. Not ravenous – unless you want to blow your rent; you know what they say about shopping hungry. But like any good food market, most stalls encourage sampling, which of course heightens the experience even more. Try before you buy and get chatting to the traders who are all really friendly and passionate about they do, and their produce.
There’s an impressive variety of stalls here, with something for everyone. Hit firm favourites like Chegworth Valley and Nigel’s Lettuces and Lovage for your fruit and veg, and Celtic Bakers and Laugan’s Cakies for bread and sweet treats. North Sea Seafood Ltd and The Parsons Nose don’t disappoint either.
It does get busy, particularly when the weather is good, but the hustle and bustle just adds to the great market atmosphere. Dogs are welcome, so it’s a lovely thing to tie in to your morning walk with the pooch, and they encourage everyone to come with their own bags and food containers in order to reduce their use of new plastics.
A much nicer experience than hitting the supermarket, and you know exactly where your purchases come from. That’s worth paying a bit extra for.
NOTE: Islington Farmers’ Market runs every Sunday, 10am-2pm. You can find out more right HERE.
Islington Farmers’ Market | Chapel Market, Between Penton Street and Baron Street N1 9PZ
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