Last weekend I went along to the Oakwood Market, as it was their birthday celebration along with…read moreone of the stall holders, Indie Ices. I'd never been before but know Oakwood well, as I used to work nearby, and it's a lovely little part of Leeds. I love a good market, being a true browser and grazer, and this one is as good as they get.
The weather was somewhat fortuitous, the sun shining and filtering through the nearby trees, but come rain or shine these guys come out en force every third Saturday of the month. The atmosphere on this occasion was fabulous, and I realise that this was in part due to the celebrations, but you can't deny the quality of the stallholders that come to this market.
For this particular occasion the Foxwood Steel Bandits were playing out to the crowd, and having never come across a steel drum (timpani?) band before it was an incredible experience. If you've not had the pleasure of hearing Sweet Dreams by The Eurythmics by these guys you're really missing out.
The market have strict rules about who may attend; only fresh, local and hand reared/made goods may be sold with no mass produced, or craft/clothing items are allowed. It means that the quality of the produce is extremely high, and whilst to a fashion prices reflect this, the point is that you are paying for the best. And, as I browsed the various stalls, the best of the best was on show.
From home grown gourmet mushrooms, lovingly made preserves, fresh herbs, quality Indian spices from Asharun, delicious food from Moorish of Hyde Park, hand made chocolates and so much more it's well worth your visit and well worth your pennies. I had a delightful time! I ate a completely delicious, vegan lunch from Moorish, who made up a sort of African bento box for me to devour, and chose some fantastic ice cream from Indie Ices as a dessert. It was utterly creamy, made with fresh raspberries, and was the just the ticket for such a sunny day. If you've not sampled the delights of Moorish or Indie Ices before now, you really should.
I purchased some of the home made chocolates, from Cutting Cake Patisserie, for my Mum (as she loved them when I bought some for her at Christmas!) and a gourmet mushroom box for my friend who is a fungi fiend. The entire outfit is a welcoming and friendly group, perfect for families, couples or simply a solo excursion, and I would highly recommend you stop by at the next one! With a cash point just over the road, a number of delightful spots to sit and a bustling community feel this is one of Leeds' finest independent markets.