Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market

The award-winning Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market, just south of Burnham Market in north Norfolk, is widely thought to be the biggest in the county. Based at the historic site of Creake Abbey, with ruins dating back to 1206, this market showcases over 60 food and drink producers and takes place on the 1st Saturday of every month (excluding January).

Farmers, fishermen, brewers, bakers, cooks and producers come from across Norfolk and beyond to attend. They make up a carefully curated list of the finest men and women who are dedicating their lives to high quality food and drink. The market is fortunate to run a long waiting list. When an attendee retires, a fabulous opportunity opens up for new businesses.

The ethos of the market is to provide as wide a range as possible of fresh, local food and drink. Visitors will find fresh meat, locally caught fish and shellfish, seasonal vegetables, local and national cheeses, preserves and chutneys, hand-made chocolate, cakes and traybakes, a wide range of seasonal fruits, locally pressed juices from apple to blueberry juice, prepared pies (both savoury and sweet), world foods including meze inspired by Turkish cuisine and authentic Italian pasta, sauces and meals plus seasonal cooks bringing Easter cakes, Christmas treats and much more. In addition, we welcome award-winning local wines and beers plus a Norwich based limoncello maker, local gin and vodka distillers plus a rum maker!

Education lies at the heart of the farmers’ market and all producers are encouraged to offer tastings and to engage fully with visitors of all ages. The market is proud to be 95% food and drink with one or two specialist plant nurseries attending and a few guest stands with food or lifestyle related products.

The market is held within two traditional brick and flint Norfolk barns, in an old grain store and outside around a natural pond in the beautiful valley that runs from the north Norfolk coast to the town of Fakenham. With ample free car parking and free entry, a trip to this market enables visitors to learn, try and buy a huge range of really exciting, fresh food and drink which will make them want to return every month.

Over its 20 years of operation, the market has given small producers a platform to introduce new products to customers, to hear their views and to refine and adapt their offering. Some have gone on to develop large and successful businesses in cities and towns across Norfolk. The ability for markets to provide real value to farmers and small food and drink businesses, at grass roots level, is one of the most important aspects of a modern farmers’ market.

Open from 9.30am to 1pm on the 1st Saturday of the month. Full details of who is attending, month by month, can be found on the Creake Abbey website. A visit to Creake Abbey offers visitors the chance to view a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the ruins of the Augustinian abbey on site, plus the opportunity to visit a café and six independent shops and services permanently based on site.