Surrey's Markets And Shopping Centres
30th September 2008
When it comes to good quality local produce, Surrey is a treasure trove of both award winning and traditional food and drink. From delicious English ales and wine to succulent Aberdeen Angus beef and fresh vegetables, Surrey has everything it takes to make the heart of a gourmet beat faster. The farmers and landowners are largely responsible for shaping the beautiful landscape and you can learn more about this at the county's many food, drink and farming visitor attractions. Look out for special events during your visit focusing on one product which may be of interest to you or participate in a farm walk and see how the local food is actually produced.
Surrey has some of the finest farm shops in the UK and to reduce competition between them, each shop tends to specialise in something. They stock a unique range that can't be found in supermarket chains and when you buy locally produced foods, you are not only guaranteed to get fresh, tasty produce, but are also helping the environment by eliminating unnecessary journeys. Thirteen of the 500 British Farmers Markets can be found in Surrey on a variety of days. Visiting a farmers market is a good way of finding local produce and apart from finding out exactly where the food comes from, you often get to meet the producer at the same time.
Markets are usually held in the middle of town, but in places like Dorking and Milford they are located a short distance from the centre. Woking and Kingston both have a daily fruit and vegetable market, while Guildford's market operates on Fridays and Saturdays only. The market at Blackbush on a Sunday offers a huge range of everything from toys to clothes and shoes.
Villages such as Shere, Gomshall and Milford have many unique stores and antique shops, while smaller towns like Cranleigh and Godalming have a good selection of boutiques and craft shops. Larger towns obviously have a greater choice of shops, including many High Street shops and large department stores. Guildford's shopping centre in North Street and the cobbled High Street with it's coaching inns and Georgian buildings makes for a charming shopping experience, whereas Woking is a lot more compact and suitable for those who cannot walk far.