Lincoln Farmers’ Market: stall guide and dates

Lincolnshire is a thriving hub of agriculture, producing 20% of the UK’s food. Independent growers and producers are dotted all over the county, cultivating its fertile soil in all manner of creative ways. On the third Saturday of every month, many gather on the cobbles of Castle Square to sell their unique fresh produce at Lincoln Farmers’ Market. This is our go-to event for finding the best and most creative local goodies to stock our kitchen! In this quick guide to Lincoln Farmers’ Market, we pick out some of the best stalls to look out for when you visit.

Lincoln Farmers’ Market dates and times in 2024

Traditionally, the farmers’ market takes place on the third Saturday of each month, running from 9am to 3pm. These are the confirmed Lincoln Farmers’ Market dates for 2024:

• 20 January
• 17 February
• 16 March
• 20 April
• 28 May
• 15 June
• 20 July
• 17 August
• 21 September
• 19 October
• 16 November
• 21 December

Popular stalls at Lincoln Farmers’ Market

On a recent visit to Lincoln Farmers’ Market we spoke to some of the friendly vendors to find out more about their background and produce. From meat and cheese to wine and gin, here’s what we found…

Redhill Farm

Gainsborough-based Redhill Farm is an award-winning pork specialist that rears its pigs naturally on a 180-acre free-range farm.

Redhill Farm’s reputation has spread well beyond the county. In addition to supplying outlets and restaurants across the UK, its produce is used at the likes of Lord’s Cricket Ground and Wimbledon.

The farm has won a whole catalogue of accolades for its produce, including Great Taste Supreme Champion, three Golden Forks, and finalist spots at the Guild of Fine Food’s Shop of the Year and the Great British Food Awards.

At the market stall you can pick up a range of pork-based products fresh from the farm’s butchery, bakery and brick smokehouse. Try some famous Lincolnshire sausages, acclaimed pork pies and haslets, or bacon dry-cured on mature English oak chippings.

Redhill Farm has a Lincoln city centre shop on Bailgate, just around the corner from Castle Square. You can also buy pork products from its online shop.

Fen Farm Venison

When we first published this guide to Lincoln Farmers’ Market, one of our readers pointed out in the comments section that we had made a glaring error by not including Fen Farm Venison. We’d missed out on the “best stall on the market”, they said.

So, with such strong praise, we had to go back the month after and see if the stall was there. Thankfully it was, and – having read up on this old family-run business – we can see why it has such a good reputation.

Fen Farm Venison is produced on a family farm at Horbling Fen just south of Sleaford. The family has run the farm for over a century, and been rearing deer since 1994.

The team visits farmers’ markets all over Lincolnshire selling its highly renowned, freshly butchered venison products. If you get a chance to visit Horbling Fen then you can also buy it directly from the farm shop. There’s even a caravan park on site too where you can stay for just £10 a night.

On the Fen Farm Venison website you can find out a lot more about the business, including insights into how the deer are farmed, recipe ideas and the health benefits of venison.

Custom Bakes

No farmers’ market is complete without some sweet treats, and in Lincoln we are lucky to have Custom Bakes. This award-winning local cake-making business in Lincoln makes the most fabulous cakes that are guaranteed to make your mouth water.

We can say this from experience as we have tried their cakes first-hand. Clare, who runs the business and is always there at the market stall, was happy to give me some recommendations (it’s very hard to choose as all the cakes look so nice!).

I took home a billionaire’s brownie to share with Lisa, and it was utterly incredible. What a treat! There are many other variations of brownie to choose from, all in generous sizes, as well as cookie bars, rocky roads and more.

Custom Bakes are also frequenters at other farmers’ markets around Lincolnshire.

Rose Cottage Pantry Pies & Pastries

Sometimes Lincoln Farmers’ Market attracts vendors from beyond the county. Rose Cottage Pantry is one such example, hailing from across the border up in Garton-on-the-Wolds, East Yorkshire.

We stopped by at Rose Cottage’s stall on a frosty January afternoon, hungry for a snack. Their handmade deli sausage rolls did not disappoint! Packed with succulent pork and full of flavour, they were just what we needed. And we were so impressed that we also bought a couple of their delicious-looking scotch eggs for our car journey.

This family business has been run on the same countryside farm since 1960, using age-old traditions to craft a range of pork products from a resident herd of pedigree pigs. We’ll be back again soon to try one of their traditional pork pies!

More Bees Please

Another regular stall from outside the county at Lincoln Farmers’ Market is More Bees Please, a beekeeping business based in Sheffield Rotherham that began as a family-run enterprise and now has hundreds of hives across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

More Bees Please runs a breeding programme that is focused on improving the population of bees, strengthening their health, and educating about their importance to ecosystems.

At their stall you can find a range of natural honeys and beeswax products. Try some of the honeys with different flavours and infusions, such as vanilla, heather or cinnamon.

True Loaf Bakery

True Loaf Bakery produces stoneground flour at Mount Pleasant Windmill in Kirton, Lincolnshire, providing the base ingredient for its assortment of organic breads.

The 19th-century four-sail mill is one of the few of its kind still in operation around the county. Ten different flours are ground at the mill, farmed from organic British wheat. The flour production process involves no bleaching, treating or additives.

An array of the bakery’s fresh breads are laid out on the stall at Lincoln Farmers’ Market, from seven-seed and sourdough bloomers to fruit scones, French onion loaves and olive breads.

Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese

We are always partial to a bit of cheese, and one of the things we love about living in Lincoln is that there are some delicious varieties made right here in the county. One of the most famous is Lincolnshire Poacher, made on a farm in the depths of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

The farm where Lincolnshire Poacher cheese is made has been operational for over a century, now run by the fourth generation of the same family. It is situated in the quiet village of Ulceby, near Alford, just a few miles from the coast.

At the market stall you can buy Lincolnshire Poacher in regular, smoked and vintage forms, as well as a selection other British cheeses curated from independent producers. We picked up some Somerset halloumi, a bit of a novelty! Great on a summer BBQ.

Bottled milk is also on sale, produced from the farm’s 230 Holstein Friesian cows, as well as Lincolnshire plum bread, freshly made butter and other goodies.

Find out more about the history and cheese-making process at the Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese website.

The Chutney Lab

If you’re taking some Lincolnshire cheese from the market and want to combine it with a local chutney to entertain some guests, then look out for The Chutney Lab stall.

The Chutney Lab was launched in 2020 by Lincoln local Di, who makes various chutneys and ketchups using natural ingredients. She often introduces new flavours so we always like to check out her stall to see the latest!

Her products range from a spicy “hiking chutney” with habanero chillies to milder marmalades and ketchups. You can pick up three jars for £10, and gift boxes are on offer too.

The Lincoln Distillery

The Lincolnshire Distillery, one of the newest players on the scene, was founded in 2017 as an independent family business. It is located on the banks of the Fossdyke between Lincoln and Saxilby, one of our favourite walks in Lincoln.

Lincoln Gin is the distillery’s flagship product, handmade in three varieties: London dry, cask aged and navy strength. Each batch of gin is distilled with botanicals inspired by local traditions.

The team was also commissioned by the Royal Air Force to produce a special edition gin celebrating 30 years of the E-3D Sentry Aircraft. Thus Magic Gin was created, which is available at the market stall alongside the distillery’s classic gins and gift boxes.

Find out more at the Lincoln Distillery website.

Lincolnshire Craft Beers

We are spoilt for choice in Lincolnshire when it comes to local ales. There are breweries dotted across the county, each offering something a little different, and Lincolnshire Craft Beers has become a firm favourite of ours.

Lincolnshire Craft Beers have been around for more than two decades, but have only recently joined the lineup of stalls at Lincoln Farmers’ Market, as well as appearing frequently other major local events like the Lincolnshire Show.

Head brewer Rhys – who has been part of the company since its early days – personally runs the stall, where you will find an array of golden ales, craft beers and bitters available in cases or single bottles. He is always happy to give tips and recommendations.

We love the Lincoln Gold, a beautiful light malty lager with a bit of a zesty flavour to it. A perfect one for summer afternoon BBQs.

You can find out more and buy products online on the Lincolnshire Craft Beers website.

Fabulously Fruity Wine

Peaks Top Farm, located close to Cleethorpes in North Lincolnshire, is the home of Fabulously Fruity Wine. The family team grows a variety of fruit on the farm, which are hand-picked, made into wine, and then bottled and labelled on site in an end-to-end sustainable process.

The farm produces wines of differing character and taste for any purpose, whether it’s a summer’s day sitting in the garden with a BBQ or enjoying with a treat cheese board. We took a particular liking to the gooseberry wine! There are many other types to choose from, including strawberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant, apple, bramble and rhubarb.

When fruit is in season you can pick it at the farm, and even stay on location at its bed and breakfast or caravan site. Free wine tasting session are hosted on Saturday afternoons. We’ll certainly be along to one of those soon!

Pop by the stall at Lincoln Farmers’ Market and you can pick up a bottle for £9, six for £50 or a gift box for a loved one.

Shop House Coffee Roastery

One thing that many of Lincolnshire’s food and drink businesses have in common is that they found ways to flourish during the Covid-19 pandemic. Shop House Coffee Roastery was actually created during those difficult days of 2020 and launched the following January.

The business is run from a family home in North Lincolnshire, sourcing sustainable coffees from around the world, and then roasting and grinding the beans by hand.

When we visited their stall at Lincoln Farmers’ Market it was clear how passionate the team are about coffee. I had quite a few questions about the right way to brew it, optimal water temperatures, and, most importantly, which would be the best coffee for me to buy, and they had an answer for everything.

We tried some of the El Salvador coffee, which we found has a lovely rich flavour with some subtle sweet and fruity notes. If you’re into your coffee it’s sure to be a hit!

The Chocolate Drop

On a recent visit to Market Rasen we came across an artisan chocolate maker in the unlikeliest of places, at a site resembling a mini industrial estate just off the A631. We had discovered the Chocolate Drop, a small local chocolate-making business that has won a raft of awards over the years for its signature ‘Special Edition Chocolate’.

The next time we stumbled across the Chocolate Drop was much closer to home – at Lincoln Farmers’ Market! The team sometimes comes along to the market to sell a range of its handmade chocolate goodies.

Their chocolate is incredibly tasty, and the miniature gift bags at the market stall would make a lovely little treat for someone special. And next time you’re near Market Rasen you can drop by at their chocolate kitchen, café and shop.

The Spotted Dog Flower Co.

The Spotted Dog Flower Co. grows and styles specialist flowers on its small farm in Blyton, near Gainsborough. Linda founded the business in 2014 and has since been featured on the likes of BBC Radio 4, My Weekly magazine, Flower Arranger magazine and the Daily Telegraph.

While Linda has a specialism for producing natural funeral flowers, her and the team provide floristry services for any special occasion. At the market stall you can pick up a bunch or jar for your home or as a special gift.

The flowers are grown with an eco-friendly approach, with a whole range of measures in place to protect the environment. No floral foam or pesticides are used in the process, and components are re-used and recycled wherever possible.

Learn more at the Spotted Dog Flower Co. website.

Lincolnshire Organic Gardeners’ Organisation

Fresh organic produce is what Lincoln Farmers’ Market is all about. You can find that in abundance at the Lincolnshire Organic Gardeners’ Organisation’s stall, or LOGO as it’s known for short.

LOGO is a collective of gardeners based in Wragby, Lincolnshire. Its members represent a wide range of interest and expertise, from small gardeners and allotment holders to highly experienced professionals.

You will always find the stall at the farmers’ marker next to the Exchequer Gate arches, selling produce grown and made by LOGO’s members.

Waltham Herbs

Waltham Herbs is a horticultural nursery based in Caistor. You will usually see their stall on the cobbles by the main entrance to Lincoln Castle.

This is another of the many family-run businesses selling produce at Lincoln Farmers’ Market. It has been running for over 35 years, and has operated from the same site at Willow Vale Nursery for 20 years.

This is the stall to visit if you want to pick up a range of plants, herbs, lavenders and perennials. All the produce is grown using peat-free or peat-reduced compost and without the use of any chemical pesticides.

Wild Rose Skincare

Doncaster-based Wild Rose Skincare offers a range of ethical skincare products. Everything is made with natural ingredients, 100% vegan and free from palm oil.

John tours the circuit of farmers’ markets around Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire selling these special soaps, oils, butters, balms and moisturisers. He’s always happy to have a chat and answer any questions, so pop over to the stall and say hi!

Lizzie’s Bark~ery

Four-legged friends aren’t left out at Lincoln Farmers’ Market thanks to Lizzie’s Bark~ery, a dog treat business that has been hosting a stall here for about a decade.

There are a variety of homemade dog biscuits and treats, large and small. We brought home some sausage-y treats for our lurcher, Regan, and he absolutely loved them!

How to get to Lincoln Farmers’ Market

Castle Square is at the heart of uphill Lincoln, at the top of Steep Hill. There is some time-limited street parking (usually one or two hours) around the outskirts of the city centre, some just a few minutes’ walk away along Eastgate.

If you want to stay for longer there is a choice of car parks. The closest to the farmers’ market is at Castle Hill (LN1 3AA), and others nearby include St Paul’s Lane (LN1 3AL), Westgate (LN1 3BG) and The Lawn (LN1 3BU). Find more city centre car parks on the Lincoln City Council website.

By foot, it’s easy to reach from Lincoln train station and the south side of the city. Simply walk up the High Street, continue up the Straight and Steep Hill, and you’re there.

Want to make a day of it? Try these things nearby

As Lincoln Farmers’ Market is held in the liveliest and most historic part of the city, there is much to see and do nearby. So why not extend your shopping into a full day out? The city’s two most iconic features are just a stone’s throw away:

• Lincoln Cathedral – read our complete visitors’ guide to Lincoln Cathedral
• Lincoln Castle – read our complete visitors’ guide to Lincoln Castle

And here are some more ideas to combine with your farmers’ market trip:

• Treat yourself to a morning bite to eat at one of our local favourites. Our guide to breakfasts in Lincoln feature some of the best spots in the Cathedral Quarter near the market.
• Have a light lunch at Bells Tea Shop, set in a Grade II listed cottage at the top of Steep Hill, within view of Castle Square. Read more about the best tea rooms in Lincoln
• Browse four rooms of contemporary art at The Little Red Gallery, a few paces away on Bailgate

For more ideas, check out our article on the best things to do in Lincoln.

Have you tried Lincoln Farmers’ Market before? What was your favourite stall? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

Love this? Pin it for later!