Fairs, Fetes & Farmers Markets

Coniston Country Fair

During our weekend trip to The Lakes I found out the Sunday just so happened to be Coniston Country Fair, set at Coniston Hall right on the lake side with a glorious backdrop of mountainous scenery it was definitely a fair not to be missed.

Coniston Hall is a really beautiful building and with a little spruce up I could imagine would make a lovely wedding venue, I would of really liked to look inside I bet its full of period features!





 

The fair was quite small but still had a variety of different stalls and activities to take part in, and of course the food!! I didn't manage to get many pictures of the food stalls as I was too busy deciding what I was going to buy, I then wandered past the Cumbrian Pie Company stall and was tempted by their gorgeous open pork pies; I went for the Pork, Wild Mushroom and Stilton one!

 



 

One thing I noticed about this country fair compared to others I've visited is how many stands were dedicated to wildlife and countryside awareness. I particularly enjoyed seeing these guys out...

 



There were quite a few different packs of hounds at the show, and they gathered quite a crowd; it was great to see the support for such a British tradition.

What I thought & bought:

Atmosphere - Family Friendly

Food - Open Pork Pie (The Cumbrian Pie Company)
Drink - Cup of Tea

Favourite Activity - The Hound Show

 

Thanks again for being patient with me, I'm finding it hard to get on the internet at the moment, I hope you enjoyed today's post!!

 

xx

Fairs, Fetes & Farmers Markets

Saturday night wasn't the warmest or driest of nights however we didn't let it dampen our spirits as Neil and I headed down to check out the Peddler Night Market. It's the first time we've been and what a little gem of a market it is! Part of Arundel Street is closed off for the event and filled with some of the areas finest food and drink vendors.

'If you're looking for a sign, this is it!'

By far my favourite stall had to be 'The Hop Box' not only because it served a fantastic Porter 'Beavertown Smog Rocket' but due to the fact it's a converted horse trailer! Such a creative idea, and quirky use of space something you'd expect to see on the 'George Clark's Amazing Spaces' show.

The market itself had a very youthful arty feel and the inside seating area housed local print makers works up for sale. Perfect chilled out atmosphere with everyone just there to enjoy great food and drink. Neil and I decided to go for the Nether Edge Pizza Company's Meaty Pizza made to order and cooked in their wood fired oven, which we wolfed down!

After a few drinks the cold got the better of us and we decided to head home. 

What I thought & bought:

Atmosphere - Arty & Youthful

Food - Meaty Pizza (Nether Edge Pizza Company)

Drink - Beavertown Smog Rocket Porter (The Hop Box)

Favourite Stall - The Hop Box

(Please excuse the photo quality on this post it was pretty dark at times and I only had my iPhone to hand.)

xx

Fairs, Fetes & Farmers Markets

Hello everyone! With yesterday spent wandering endless stalls piled with mouth watering food and will power testing goodies it's time for another 'Fairs, Fetes and Farmers Markets'.

My house is situated on a street just off Sharrow Vale Road so I'm in prime location for the Sharrow Vale Market. Each month this quaint road plays host to many local makers and bakers selling artisan goods direct to the public; a great opportunity particularly for businesses who may not necessarily own a shop. Meeting up with Charlotte we shuffled our way through the crowds, our tactic being down the street looking at all the stalls on the left hand side, then back up on the right! We're pros when it comes to markets and are both small luckily so perfect for sneaking though gaps of people!

Hydrangea's are one of my favourite plants and I was really tempted by these!

Don't blame that Lab one bit, that bread looks incredible!

Popped into the Vintage Tableware Company shop, its such a pretty place and it's always nice to see Staffordshire Pottery away from home!

  

The Broadfield were at it again! Another gorgeous stall!

We spent the day drooling over the food stalls and lusting after handmade items, giving in occasionally we both came away with a few sweet things each and I treated myself to some lovely little earrings in the shape of tiny sewing scissors.  

If you've never been to Sharrow Vale Market its one you should really check it out, just make sure you go with an empty bag and an empty stomach!

xx 

Fairs, Fetes & Farmers Markets

Nether Edge is not far from where I live and it only takes 15 minuets to walk there, yet its a part of Sheffield which I haven't really explored, so yesterday I decided to get ready and head over for the start of the Nether Edge Farmers Market. With them only putting on 4 of these a year I knew this would be a really vibrant market with plenty of local produce. 

I couldn't believe how busy it was, the atmosphere was great, the sun was out and it definitely felt like Spring was finally here! My partner in crime was away in Newcastle staying at his parents whilst finishing off his grueling 10,000 word university dissertation, so this was a market day I would spend alone. But in the hustle and bustle of the market with the endless samples and chitchat with stall holders I didn't feel like I was on my own at all. 

    

     

All the stalls looked great, the diverse individual style of each baker and maker shows in their display, but the one which caught my eye most of all was The Broadfield Ale House. Their classic rustic look complimented their pies, chutneys and gin perfectly, I couldn't resist buying two pots of the chutney! 

The Autumn Harvest Stall

The Birdhouse Tea Company shop in Nether Edge

In my last post Spring Wishlist I mentioned that I wanted to try the Birdhouse Tea Company's Full Monty, well yesterday I popped into their gorgeous little shop and purchased some. I can't wait to taste it, watch this space for a little review on my conversion to loose leaf tea.

With Neil not there to rein me in I came back with loads of tasty goodies, including a jar of honey from the Sheffield Honey Company; I have a little baking idea in store for that! I had such a wonderful day, I can't recommend this market enough, keep your eyes peeled for the next one and if you're in the area definitely head down there's something for everyone young or old.

Thanks for reading, hope I didn't make you too hungry!

xx