The Hampstead Farmers' Market: A Saturday Morning Ritual

The Hampstead Farmers' Market sets up every Saturday on the south side of Hampstead High Street, between the tube station and the beginning of the village proper. It is not the largest farmers' market in London, but it is one of the most consistently good — a function, presumably, of the neighbourhood's combination of demanding consumers and willingness to pay for quality.

What's There

The market typically runs 10–14 stalls, varying with the season. The permanent fixtures include a Kent fruit and vegetable stall whose seasonal produce is genuinely excellent — the asparagus in late April and early May, the courgettes and tomatoes in August, the squashes and roots in October and November. A Somerset dairy farmer sells unpasteurised cheeses and cultured butter that are, for those who seek them, among the best available in London.

The Bread

A sourdough baker from East London sets up on most Saturdays, selling loaves that are properly fermented and properly baked. The seeded rye is the reliable choice; the focaccia, when it appears, goes within the first hour.

The Ritual

The proper Hampstead Saturday involves the market first — arrive by 10am before the best things go — then coffee at Ginger & White, then the Heath. Return home with bread, cheese, and whatever seasonal vegetables caught your eye. This is not a complicated formula, but it is, if you follow it consistently, a significant source of satisfaction.