Did you know that you can take some of the best of Cumbria home with you? Yes, eat food from Carlisle’s and Brampton’s farmers’ markets to sample the very best from our neighbours’ farms. Both Carlisle and Brampton Farmers’ Markets are run by Sustainable Brampton, a community organisation promoting local food production and minimising waste. You can find out more about composting at both markets.
Carlisle Farmers’ Market
In Carlisle, you find the farmers’ market in front of the Old Town Hall in the Green Market (that’s the open square with Costa at one end and Boots at the other, CA3 8JE for the satnav) from 09:30 till 15:00 on the first Saturday of the month.
Dates for Carlisle Farmers’ Market
1st June
6th July
3rd August
7th September
5th October
2nd November
7th December.
Sustainable Carlisle
If you love free stuff, you’ll love Sustainable Carlisle’s Free Stall every month. Browse the bric a brac on offer, all free. Tell us if you find something that you’ve always wanted.
Brampton Farmer’s Market
Brampton’s is outside the Moot Hall in the centre of Brampton (CA3 8JE) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the same time on the last Saturday of the month. Find out more about Sustainable Brampton at www.sustainablebrampton.org
When in Brampton, must see include Moot Hall, in Market Square, a grade II* listed building and hosts the Tourist Information office, and Lowther Used Furniture.
Dates for Brampton Farmer’s Market
29th June
27th July
31st August
28th September
26th October
30th November
21st December.
More about Brampton and Carlisle Farmers’ Market
Usually, you’ll find up to 25 stalls selling hot food, meat, fish, veg, bread, cheese, jams – and handicrafts, too, for that souvenir. All the produce satisfies strict local Trading Standards and must come from no more than 50 miles away – truly local.
Look out for our three recommendations:
Hallsford Farm Produce from Helen and Andrew Tomkins
We particularly like their Shorthorn beef and Llanwenog (a rare Welsh breed) lamb merguez sausages – and fabulous scotch eggs.
The Hallsford herds are largely grass-fed in open fields, so the meat has great traditional flavour and succulence. Check out their website hallsfordfarmproduce.co.uk for more information and for mail order. You can also call them on 01228 577329.
Mr Vikki’s Chilli Pickle – Adam Marks
Award-winning pickles and chillis, from the beautiful Lake District. Choose between jams, hot sauces, curry sauces, picked chillis such as scotch bonnet, sriracha for example. The freshest of ingredients and carefully selected chillies give the fabulous taste that wins the awards. Serve them with your curries for a distinctive authentic and spicy flavour.
Find out more on their website www.mrvikkis.co.uk
Stonehouse Smokery
Lee Scrimgeour started a smokery a couple of years ago in the village of Moorhouse, a mile from the Tranquil Otter – you’ll have passed it on your way from Carlisle. They have a small-holding in Wigton where they raise free-range pigs to produce the bacon and sausages that they smoke in Moorhouse. Fantastic flavour. Find out more from their facebook page www.facebook.com/stonehousesmokery.co.uk
To round off, here are some of the other local Farmers’ Market regulars
Parking is usually easy in both places. It’s best to choose a car park if you want to take your time, check the Carlisle City’s Carparks www.carlisle.gov.uk/Car-Parks site for the location of car parks. The Lanes Car Park is the nearest to the Farmers’ Market. Be aware that there is a big jump in charges after 4 hours. The parking disc provided in your lodge will enable you to park for an hour in disc zone parking spaces.
