HARVEST FESTIVAL

It’s the season of the squash, the apple and the cobnut – bought directly from the producer, of course. Here are our five favourite farmers’ markets in British cities

Stockbridge, Edinburgh This weekly farmer’s market ( offers everything from leather goods and The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company’s famous nettle soap to smoked scallops at the Caithness Smokehouse stand and punnets of sloes from Tay Valley Fruits – ideal for brewing your own berry-infused liqueur over the winter (every Sunday; stockbridgemarket.com). Altrincham, Manchester Closed on Monday and Wednesday, each other day at this covered market ( 2) has a different focus: Thursdays are for thrift and antiques, as well as fresh fish, while Fridays focus on local produce – with the exception of the first Friday of each month, which is Flower Friday and sees florists descend on the vast Market House (altrinchammarket.co.uk). Aberdeen Belmont Street Farmers’ Market ( 3), which closed after 17 years, has returned after the cause was taken up by the team behind the Thistle Street Market in the city’s West End. The revival will see new names join old favourites such as Inverness fudge and Isle of Arran cheese (first Saturday of every month; northeastscotlandfinestfood.co.uk). Cardiff Riverside Real Food now runs three weekly events in the Welsh capital, with the aim of supporting local businesses – be sure to check out Dragon Chilli ( 4), the hottest stall in town. Many of the stalls reimagine Welsh produce in a European way – Casa del Cymru sells pasta, while Charcutier cures pork French-style (for dates and locations see riversidemarket.org.uk). Clapham, London Venn Street Market ( 5) is a sight for sore urban eyes: on a cobbled alleyway by Clapham Common, you’ll find The Portland Scallop Co bringing seafood from Dorset; organic Suffolk mushroom pâtés at Pâté Moi and Venn Street Flowers selling blooms. Vivienne Westwood buys honey here, so it must be good (Saturday mornings; vennstreetmarket.co.uk).

1)