Location |: Great Knollys St, Reading RG1 

Date visited: 7 November 2009

The Thames Valley Farmers Market comes to Reading on the “first” and third” saturday of every month. Its open from 8.30 to 12.30. Go early as by 11am, the stocks are getting low.

The stalls are sited in the old abatoir complex near Reading Station.

On the wholse, its a smallish market with around 20 stalls, selling organic meat, organic vegetables, cheese & butter, eggs, cakes, jams, pies, bread, beer, apple juice and fresh water fish (mainly trout) both fresh and smoked.

The vegetables come from Ogg Valley Organic Farm. They sell the main type of vegetables in season. For more exortic vegetables (especially foreign ethnic ones, try Reading Market in the Butts (behind West St Mall, tue-sat).

Meat comes from Dews Meadow Farm, Flexmore Farm etc. You can get faggots and mutton as well as cuts of pork and beef. There are also various types of award winning sausages and bacons However, all the meats are “pre-packed” and its on the small side e.g. half a shoulder – unless you pre-ordered, you can’t buy half a sheep.

The breads come from the Old Farmhouse Bakery – various types of exortic breads that you can’t get in the supermarket as well as the basic bloomer etc.

I personally like the pie shop and the smoke trouts (Brookleas Fish Farm). Smoke trout are around £2.50 plus for a whole small fish. The cheese is also very good (strong) but is confined to cheddar and blue with one or two mix (e.g. cheddar and chilli) cheese.

Ascot Ales usually have a stand selling various types of beers at less than £2 per pint. I like the 5 litre tins. You can taste before you buy.

Eddie