A Quick Visit to Pimlico Road Farmers Market for provisions
I’m a big fan of farmers markets but if I’m honest, in cities, it’s sometimes hard to find ones selling produce that is true ‘straight from the farm’, ones where the stall holder is the producer, without crafts stalls and street food.
Back in February, I was in London for London Fashion Week and took the opportunity between shows and castings to shop for food at the Pimlico Road Farmers Market. It’s small, with about 15 stalls but sells everything, from fresh fish, meat, game, a huge variety of veg (organic and non-organic), bread and bakes, mushrooms and dairy. It’s a great little Saturday market in centre of London.
My first stop was for some chicken from Castlemead Poultry based in Radstock, near Bath. It turns out they are stocked at Tunley Farm Butchers in Bath too whom I’ve visited before – small world! The stallholder was very friendly and I bought chicken breasts and 6 eggs.
Next up was some veg. There were a couple of veg stalls including Wild Country Organics, who attend a host of markets during the weekends including Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, Ealing, Blackheath and Islington Farmers Markets. I bought some wonderful fresh seasonal beetroots, Jerusalem artichokes and purple sprouting broccoli.
I also visited the Bread Bread Bakery, a small bakery based in Brixton. They were clearly popular as a lot of their pastries had already sold out, but no matter, I was after their sourdough. I was also tempted to try Challah which I’d not heard of before. It’s similar to brioche in flavour and texture but is less sweet and is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. I’ve been having it lightly toasted, with some homemade blackcurrant jam – yum!
Whilst walking around the market I spotted my friends at Hollis Mead, whose farm I visited in Summer 2022, as well as Chegworth Valley and Moreton Mushrooms. I was so impressed with the variety at the market.
My second to last stop of the day was the fishmonger where I bought some fresh crab and Mackrel paté, both full of flavour.
Finally, Lord Pesto. Selling all sorts of fresh pasta and, as the name suggests, pesto too. They sell spaghetti (regular and wholegrain) and spinach tagliatelle as well as several choices of ravioli such as spinach and ricotta or black truffle and ricotta. I chose regular spaghetti to pair with the fresh crab I had just bought for a delicious and quick Saturday night supper.
I so enjoyed Pimlico Farmers’ Market. The stallholders were all very friendly, helpful and passionate about what they do. A great place to pick up some ‘real’, farm fresh produce in the heart of London.
