National Trust launches new Farmer's Market at Stourhead

08/01/2008

 On Saturday 15 March, the Saturday before Easter, the National Trust at Stourhead is introducing a new farmers’ market. 

 

The National Trust’s Wiltshire estate, which boasts a world famous 18th century landscape garden, is already well known for its commitment to local produce. It hosts a much-appreciated farm shop and its tenant farmers have just been recognised for their rib beef and salt beef in the National Trust’s Fine Farm Produce Awards for 2007. Stourhead’s restaurant uses produce from Stourhead’s kitchen garden and wider estate, as well as local producers and the education programme on the estate takes local schools on a journey from plot to plate.

 

 Set in the Stableyard, on the drive of Stourhead House, the Easter Farmers’ Market will feature stallholders from around Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset, as Stourhead sits at the intersection of these three counties. A wonderful range of food and drink will be on offer, including meats from the Trust’s local tenant farmers, tasty cheeses, cider brandy and trout from nearby Mere Fish Farm. In addition, there will also be a mouth-watering hog roast from David Wilkinson who runs Downland Produce, a well established free range company which specialises in pork. The pigs are reared in the fields surrounding Lacock, a Wiltshire village owned by the National Trust and the location of the latest BBC drama “Cranford”.  There will also be hot pies on sale from the Cotswold Edge Farm, a family run business which specialises in free range poultry and game on their 14 acre farm.

 

Leanne Clements, Stourhead Visitor Services Manager, said: “Building on our reputation as a base for great local produce, we have decided to introduce this new farmers’ market. We hope it will offer the perfect opportunity to stock up on treats for Easter feasts and appreciate the best of our local produce.

 

“The market coincides with the opening of Stourhead House after its winter closure. With children’s trails or leisurely strolls around the garden also on offer, we hope Stourhead will be the perfect pre-Easter day out.”

Stourhead Farm Shop will also be open 10-5pm, as usual. The market will take place from 10am-4pm in the Stableyard at Stourhead. The next market will happen nearer Christmas on the 13th December from 10am-3pm.

 

 

(Images copyright National Trust Photo Library)