Kew Village Christmas Market

I was so happy when I realized I’d be in Kew in time to attend Kew Village Christmas Market. (Farmers’ markets in the UK are usually only once a month so I’m rarely in the right place at the right time).

Despite being very close to central London, Kew Gardens really does feel like a village with a half-circle of stores surrounding either side of the underground station. I’m heading back there tomorrow to inspect the stores which range from a bookshop and health food store to an Italian coffee shop and a restaurant. But today all my attention was focused on the 50 market vendors and their wares.

There were so many wonderful food options. I was delighted to be able to talk French with a woman baker and to purchase a round loaf of bread that was 20% sarrasin (buckwheat) plus a small tart glazed with marrons glacés syrup.

I also purchased some olives and dolmades and a portion of parmigiana (and was very tempted by the tiramisu). I bought goat cheese with truffles and was entranced by all the goat cheese varieties that I’d never seen before.

The vegetables were organic and there were heritage apples and juice from a farm in the Weald (Kent and Sussex).

There were some food vendors that you’d be unlikely to see in Canada selling farm butter, fishy fingers, and Sicilian specialties. Several artisans were selling handmade ware.