Celebrating 20 years at Whiteladies Road Market  

Join the celebrations this month as Whiteladies Road Market marks its 20th birthday. If you haven’t visited before, now is the perfect time to discover one of Bristol’s most loved community markets. Every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm, the market brings together local producers, shoppers and neighbours in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

The market began in 2006, when members of Sustainable Redland transformed a corner of Whiteladies Road with stalls, bunting, music and the aromas of freshly baked bread and sizzling breakfast buns. It was an immediate success, with many traders selling out by lunchtime. Today, the market remains focused on ethically and sustainably produced food and drink, much of it grown, made or produced locally. Visitors can meet the farmers and makers behind the products, enjoy live music, browse flowers, arts and crafts, and take time for a coffee and a chat while soaking up the community spirit.

“We wanted to give people the opportunity to buy food directly from local producers, and avoid some of  the damage of industrialised farming – such as long distance transportation, over-packaging, damage to the natural world and unethical working practices” says Jonny Wood local resident and a key person in getting the market started. “We are so happy that the market is such a success, with a great bunch of traders, a dedicated community of regular customers, great staff and enough committed people to provide unpaid support with behind-the-scenes admin and governance”.  

Market days offer an impressive range of local products, from Leigh Court Farm’s fresh fruit and veg picked mere miles away, to ever popular ‘Jacqui’s Sweets’, alongside local crafts and woodwork. ‘Old Sodbury Lamb’, serving farm produce and luscious hot bacon rolls, have been a lynchpin since the beginning. Andy and Sarah who run the stall remember “We sold out by coffee time on that first day in 2006 and had to pop back to the farm to fetch more. It’s great here because you see the same faces, and you get to chat to people”. 

The fast-moving queue for Farro Bakery stretches to the bus stop, Stream Farm and Gothelney Farm are regulars, as is Steve’s Fab Green Coffee Van. As Leo from L’Affinage Fine Cheeses puts it “this market has a lovely bunch of friendly and mutually supportive traders, as well as an incredibly loyal customer base. We get to know our customers so well over the years, some even give us a leaving card if they are moving away.” 

The market is always open to potential new traders, space permitting, and encourages an offering of local, ethical, and environmentally-friendly products. It also prides itself on providing a first ‘testing ground’ for start-ups, some then expanding to supply local shops or even set up in permanent premises. 

Simon Bennett, who also sells his home-grown plants, became market manager in 2024. “It’s more than just a market. It’s a community event, somewhere people can come to, sit down, enjoy each other’s company. Being a Community Interest Company means we can keep fees for traders relatively low. A small team of youngsters are employed to help with set up and take down. The traders feel well supported and welcome – this all helps it feel so special.” As Miriam from Fermental says “this market brings people together from different parts of Bristol and different parts of the world – all united by a love of good food!” 

“We’ll celebrate with a special home-baked cake on Saturday 27^th June 2026, but really we see the whole of 2026 as a celebration!” says Simon. 

Whiteladies Road Market is every Saturday at 08:30 – 13:00, on the corner of Whiteladies Road and Apsley Road.  

Find out more about what’s on at the market by following @whiteladies_market on Instagram, searching ‘Whiteladies Road Market’ on Facebook, or visiting the market’s website at www.wrmcic.co.uk. 

To stay updated on future events, job opportunities and news, don’t forget to sign up for the Bristol Good Food Update at bristolgoodfood.org/newsletter.