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orget the shopping experience you’re used to in your local Sainsbury’s; there’s no cashier, conveyor belt or noisy tannoy system at a proper farmers’ market. What’s more, the food is about as fresh as you can get (some is even still alive) and the stallholders have generally reared or grown it all themselves.

The picturesque town of Wye in Kent sets out its stalls on the village green every first and third Saturday of the month, where you’ll find tempting goodies like fresh bread, cakes, jams and chutneys. Listen out for the live music from local students, too, providing a stirring soundtrack while you taste, try and buy.

Meanwhile, at Orton Farmers’ Market in Cumbria there are strict rules about what‘s on sale: everything has to be grown within 50 miles of the market, and someone involved in production must be on hand to answer customers’ questions. No wonder the home-brewed cider and buffalo cheese that you can pick up there tastes so delicious.

Another good one to try is the farmers’ market at St Giles in Shipbourne, which takes place both inside and outside an 11th-century church. While the smoked fish, pickles and local mushrooms attract visitors from far and wide, the locals use the Thursday event as a chance to catch up on the village gossip. You heard it here first…