Of all the wonderful things the Lake District has to offer, local markets aren’t always the first thing that come to mind. However, with a collection of ten or more weekly local markets, as well as seasonal specials and fair days, the Lake District is one of the most diverse and interesting places to find great local farmers markets.
Local Lake District Produce
The Lake District is well known for its agricultural aspects, and it’s not at all unusual to get stuck behind a tractor en-route to your holiday cottage or hotel. With this in mind, it’s not at all surprising that the local farmer’s produce in the Lake District is some of the best in the country. Pop along to any of the markets listed below to discover a wide array of fresh vegetables and farm-reared meats, homemade jams, chutneys and honey; as well as artisan breads and much more! Keep an eye out for Herdwick lamb, a local specialty that is hard to come by in other parts of the country, as Herdwicks are almost exclusively a Lake District sheep.
Lake District beers
With Artisanal in mind, who not try some of local home-brews; lovingly developed by local Lake District beer makers. There are hundreds of breweries to choose from, the Lake District being a prolific developer of ales (there are lots of thirsty hikers up here!), but one of our firm favourites (and closest to Dale Head Hall) is The Keswick Brewery, who have been developing amazing ales in the heart of Keswick since 2006. They exhibited their first brew at the Spring Cumbria Life Food and Drink Festival in 2006 and have released another seven beers since; their popularity growing year on year.
Arts and Crafts
If beer isn’t your thing (or even if it is for that matter), the Lake District markets are definitely not short on supply when it comes to local art and craft work to peruse. Keswick market is chocked to the tent poles with all kinds of glorious and curious art works; wood-crafts; woolen goods; pottery and much more. And if what’s on display at the market doesn’t take your fancy, there are lots of lovely little art galleries to wander around; selling Lake District art from local artists- you are bound to end up with something to remember the Lakes by, on your wall at home!
When and Where
It’s always best to check that a market is on before you head out for the day. You will find that most markets in the Lakes have a page on facebook, or their own web-listing. Some market days are only relevant in Summer months, so it’s even more important to check dates in the Winter.
Alston - Saturday
Ambleside - Wednesday
Appleby-in-Westmorland - Saturday
Barrow-in-Furness - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Blackpool - Monday to Saturday
Brampton - Wednesday
Carlisle - Monday to Saturday
Carnforth - Saturday
Cleator Moor - Tuesday and Saturday
Cockermouth - Friday
Egremont - Thursday and Friday
Ingleton - Friday
Kendal - Wednesday and Saturday
Keswick - Thursday and Saturday
Kirkby Lonsdale - Thursday
Kirkby Stephen - Monday
Lancaster - Wednesday and Saturday
Millom - Wednesday
Penrith - Tuesday
Sedburgh - Wednesday
Settle - Tuesday
Ulverston - Thursday and Saturday
Whitehaven - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Wigton - Tuesday
Windermere - Wednesday
Workington - Wednesday and Saturday