Winchester Farmers Market

The twice-monthly Winchester Farmers Market is the largest event of its kind in the country, with over 95 stall holders trading here.

Produce sold at the farmers market must come from within 10 miles of the Hampshire Borders.

Local specialities that are on offer at the market include ostrich meat, water buffalo, guinea fowl, venison, beef, lamb, smoked fish and fresh crab from the River Solent.

Liquid treats range from just-pressed apple juice, to local wines and beers.

Market stall holders go one step further, by offering advice on how to prepare and cook their product, and even offer downloadable recipes on the market's website.

Other types of goods can also be found, including hand made Hampshire walking sticks, and a local Hog Roast if you're hungry!

Traditional music played by local artists also adds to the market's atmosphere.

TV celebrity seafood chef Rick Sten is said to be a regular to the market, due to the quality of and freshness of the local produce.

A number of stall holders at the market now also takes card payments, an unusual service at a farmers market, so if you run out of cash then your spending spree does not have to end!

Getting there: The market is held from 10am-2pm, on the second and last Sundays of the month, both at Middlebrook Street and in the Middlebrook Street Car Park, in Winchester City Centre, and there is a number of car parks nearby. The town lies around an hour South-East of London, with National Rail connections.

If you are visiting Hampshire, but can't make it to the Winchester market on those days, then the Hampshire Farmers Market Association hold other monthly markets and special events such as food festivals, in a number of other nearby towns, including Chandlers Ford, Hythe, Odiham, Petesfield, Andover and Alton.

Although they are not as large as the Winchester market, you will find much of the same produce on offer.