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Fresh asparagus

Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market
A spectacular market located a short walk from Alexandra Palace, on a long and winding path-cum-car park (ten to 12 times a year, the market relocates to nearby Campsbourne School when the Ally Pally car park is needed for large events). Started in April 2005 after organiser Chris Elder of City & Country Farmers’ Markets took the suggestion from a friend to open a market in a park, the operation has grown formidably to include approximately 40 stallholders each week. At this time of year, there are barbecues aplenty – sizzling sausages from The Giggly Pig Company and zingy Mozambican chicken from the Zambeziana stall to name two of the best (from the latter, there’s also the option of dousing your dish with a fire-raising own-made chilli sauce – take heed of the warning sign). Edgebank Organics offers a true breath of sunshine, selling lovely strawberry and elderflower cordials, fruit-packed jams and refreshing strawberry smoothies. To top it all off, there are plenty of verdant vegetables, shimmering seafood and enough bread and cakes to make a supermodel run the other way.

BEST BUY The canapé-sized pão de queijos (Brazilian cheese buns) from Minas will brighten up any dinner party – they’re gluten-free as well.

THEN WHAT? Take a pleasant stroll through leaf-lined paths up to Alexandra Palace and take in the spectacular sweeping views over the city – a perfect picnic spot for tucking in to your purchases.
Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market, entrance at Hornsey Gate, off Muswell Hill; or Campsbourne School, Nightingale Lane, off Priory Rd, N8 (01689 860840) Alexandra Palace rail, then W3 bus. Open Sun 10am-3pm. Feature continues

She doesn't sell seashells but you'll still find them at Swiss Cottage

Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market
This lovely stretch of space on Eton Avenue has recently (from May 2008) welcomed back Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market, which had been pitching up at the O2 Centre’s car park while Camden Council set about completing a redesign of the area. There’s plenty of room for each stallholder and the resulting sprawl of produce, with notable offerings from East Sussex, such as the aptly named Pies, which sell pies; goats’ cheeses from Nut Knowle Farm; and fresh fish from Channel Fish. The lovely Isabella Burino, who appeared recently on ‘The Great British Menu’ in a cook-off with Atul Kochhar, now runs her own company, Absolutely with Love. Selling ready-made Italian classics, Burino’s stall heaves with products from panna cotta to gnocchi and lasagne. Kush Cuisine, pickle purveyors and creators of many a fine chutney and preserve, also brings a Caribbean flavour to the market with their famed spice rubs, marinades and infused oils.

BEST BUY Kush Cuisine’s fragrant orange, mango and cardamom marmalade has replaced conventional Seville orange in our pantry.

THEN WHAT? Head to the Hampstead Theatre and pick up tickets for ‘On the Rocks’, a comedy about DH Lawrence, friendship, fidelity and co-habiting in wartime Cornwall.
Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market, Eton Avenue, opposite Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU (020 7833 0338/www.lfm.org.uk) Swiss Cottage tube. Open Wed 10am-4pm.

Archway Market

The original market was established in autumn 2006 on the Archway Mall, but after being given notice by the landlord to move on by August 2007, alternative trading spots were sought. Now it’s on a stretch of Holloway Road, with the stalls snaking into St John’s Grove. The patrons of the market are as varied in character as the items on sale. You’ll find fragrant candles, exotic rugs and ancient VHS tapes as well as food stalls.

BEST BUY We enjoyed a freshly prepared roast pork sandwich with thick slabs of pineapple from an nameless Brazilian food stall, where you can also chow down on sonho – a sweet Brazilian pastry filled with custard; or pudim, a pudding similar to panna cotta, made with condensed milk. The rye breads from Suffolk’s All Natural Bakery are well worth buying. Fresh fish, scallops and king prawns are available if you arrive early, and there are plenty of scrummy-looking fruits and vegetables from Farmer Ted.

CAVEAT EMPTOR? As a relatively small market, it hasn't yet reached the heights of other large and bustling food markets in London. More support is needed from Londoners to make this a truly thriving operation.
Archway Market, Holloway Rd and St John’s Grove, N19 (www.archwaymarket.org) Archway tube. Open Thur 12noon-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm.

Islington radishes

Islington Farmers’ Market
Located in the elusive William Tyndale School playground just off Upper Street, this Sunday market feels like the secret enclave of keen and green Islington shoppers. Set up in 1999 by American food campaigner Nina Planck, who founded what became the London Farmers’ Markets (www.lfm.org.uk). As London’s first farmers’ market, its first day of operation drew swarms of eager shoppers, including local boy Nigel Slater.

Stacks of cheese at Stoke Newington Farmers' Market

Baskets of peppers at Queens Park Farmers' Market

Queens Park Farmers' Market
Like most markets situated in school playgrounds, this one is completely convivial but positively frightening for the child-aversive. It's frequented by fierce food-curious shoppers who don’t think twice about questioning the provenance of Phil’s fresh pesto; it also just celebrated its third birthday, having opened on 11 September 2005 under the auspices of London Farmers’ Markets (LFM).

BEST BUY Bread to rival nearby Baker & Spice, dried fruits to snack on virtuously from Butterfly Meadow and gorgeous English wine from St Anne’s Vineyard. The Walled Garden at Wolterton Hall have some interesting offerings: crystal apple cucumbers and tiny pearl-sized grapes that taste of tangy Ribena. But approach Wobbly Bottom with caution: their extremely moreish goats’ cheeses are many a regular’s vice, many of whom risk returning with the prophetic jiggly arse. As pumpkins and squashes start to nudge the summer berries out of the way, try a spaceship-shaped patti-pan squash; cook it as you would a courgette.

CAVEAT EMPTOR? With so much new seasonal produce popping up after a long summer of the same stuff, the urge to purchase everything in sight can become all too great. Bring a limited wad of cash for damage control.
Queens Park Farmers' Market, Salusbury Primary School, Salusbury Rd, NW6 6RG (020 7833 0338/ www.lfm.org.uk) Queens Park tube/rail. Open Sun 10am-2pm.

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