In various parts of Birmingham (well, probably all over the Britain), periodical markets called Farmers' Markets are held, usually once a month, but in some places twice monthly. On these occasions, local small producers or sellers set up stalls, and sell interesting goodies, from vegetable and meat to handicraft.
The farmars' markets usually start at around 9 o'clock and finish in the early afternoon, but individual stalls finish business as soon as they sell out their goods, so it is wise to go before noon.
In Birmingham city centre, the market opens twice a month, the second and the fourth Wednesdays of the month, but it is rather small market and the price not really good.
In Harborne, residential quarter 15 min. walk from the University of Birmingham, it is held on every second Saturday of the months. It has about 30 stalls, and wide variety of goods is sold. Recommendable.
This is chorizo style sausages from Woodhouse Farm, that I bought at Harborne market. I don't like British finely minced meat sausages, but they had nice bits of porks and tasty. The beef sold at the same stall was tasty as well.
In other areas of Birmingham, it is the 4th Sat. in Moseley, the 2nd Sat. in Kings Norton, and the first Sat. each month in Kings Heath.
The reputed to be the largest farmers' market in the West Midlands is the one in Stratford-upon-Avon, every the first and the third Saturdays. Also in Stourbridge, it is the 1st and the 3rd Saturday.
It is a fun to find your favourite products in market.
In King's Heath, another residential quarter south of city centre, the market is held at first Saturday of the month. I visited it in Febryary 2007, but it was quite small (less than 20 stalls), and did not find anything interesting.
In Bearwood, where I leave, it is the third Saturday of the months, but there are only 3 stalls. There used to be 7 to 8 but many retreated. May be in way of extinction. A market is held even inside the premises of the University of Birmingham. In Moseley it is the fourth Saturday of the month, and in Kings Norton, it is the second Saturday of the month.
I am sure there are other markets in other places. Try to look for your local one.
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