Yorkshire is top tier when it comes to sourcing proper, locally-grown produce - and there are some great farmers markets to discover in and around Leeds.
To help you get your hands on the very tastiest local fruit, veg, cheese, and more, we've put together a handful of our absolute favourite markets - but trust us when we say that around Leeds we're absolutely spoilt for choice.
For those who want to get their locally sourced shop on, we've pulled a selection of indoor and outdoor markets for you to explore below.
Taking place every second Saturday of the month, Headingley Farmers' Market is ethically driven, promising its customers to always provide good quality food direct from local producers - mostly from within a radius of 30 miles, with the exception of the Whitby fish.
On an average weekend, you'll find over 20 food stalls here selling everything from bread and cakes, to dairy and cheese, meat, fish, eggs, preserves and plants; plus specialist traders with olives, Yorkshire pies, chocolate, Italian and Indian ingredients, and fresh coffee beans. There's also another market nearby that offers live music.
Where: Rose Garden North Lane Headingley LS6 3JJ
Otley has a long history of markets, with the first cattle market recorded as taking place here in 1222 / Image: Jomar Esssentials
Otley Farmers' Market
Held on the last Sunday of the month, here at Otley Market Place you'll find a load of fresh and organic produce, direct from the producer and sourced as locally as possible. From stalls selling interesting different varieties of garlic, to some great gluten-free finds, the market in Otley is highly rated.
Head down to discover a whole host of locally-made bread, jams and honey preserves, fresh eggs, plants and herbs, pies, pork, bacon and beef products, fish, confectionery, local cheeses, handmade chocolates, ostrich meat, mushrooms, fruit, and vegetables, as well as beers from some of Leeds' local breweries.
Where: 32-34 Market Pl, Otley LS21 3AQ
Leeds Bread Co-Op is a regular stall holder at Oakwood Farmers' Market, held on the third Saturday of the month / Image: Leeds Bread Co-Op
Oakwood Farmers' Market
Taking place on the third Saturday of the month at the Oakwood Clock, this market runs from 9 am to 12.30 pm - so you'll want to get there early to get the best stuff.
Regular stalls here feature local organic vegetables, eggs, rapeseed oil, beef, organic meat, pies, bacon, bread, apple juice, soup, plants, cheese, Italian and local delicatessen savouries and sweet treats.
Where: Oakwood Clock, North Leeds.LS8 1SD
Farsley's farmers' market has a whole host of local stall holders on hand every last Saturday of the month / Image: The Yorkshire Chocolatier
Farsley Farmers' Market
Taking place on the fourth Saturday of the month between 10 am and 1 pm, here you'll find a quality range of handcrafted gifts and a market kitchen alongside a solid selection of local producers.
Regular stall holders include Cabbage Patch Bakery, Woods Brownie Co, Beantastic coffee trader, Sian's India Express, the Yorkshire Chocolatier, the Yorkshire Pie Bakery, Calverley Beekeepers, Country Cheese Store and more.
Where: St Johns Hall and Grounds, New Street, off Farsley Town Street,, Leeds, LS28 5DJ
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd September 2021 
