Faversham is gearing itself up for the monumental occasion that is Faversham Millennium Market, taking place in the town centre on Sunday 26th May. As it was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, we know that Faversham Market must be around 1,000 years old – and maybe even older!
Faversham and its traders and markets have such a rich history and this will be celebrated during a day of activities, demonstrations, entertainment and of course some fabulous market stalls.
We will be updating this page on a regular basis, so this is the best place to check for updates on what’s happening during the day.
Visitor Information Centre – 12 Market Place
There will be a host of children’s activities organised by Faversham Town Council celebrating the town’s fabulous selection of charters. Visitors can make their own seals, dress up in medieval costumes, take a turn in the stocks and much more.
Behind the Guildhall
Upstairs at the Guildhall
Market Place
Here’s our current list of fabulous Faversham stalls that we’re expecting to trade at the Millennium Market weekend. This list will be regularly updated, so please check back for latest details.
Clothing and accessories:
Love from Joy – tweed hats and accessories
Hari’s ladies clothing
L Jay’s Attic
Vintage clothing
Gift from the Gods – Faversham Fashionista clothing, gifts and accessories
Arts, crafts and handmade:
Sarah Manley – fused glass
The Scarlet Ribbon – jewellery
Vicky Ellis – cushions, cards and prints
Elizabeth Makes – jewellery
Lampshades by Weird and Gilly
Crafty Koala – decoupage items
Sue King – art
Nicholas Beal – photography
White Tree Candles
Rainbow Raindrops – art, prints and cards
Food and drink:
Beardy B’s – artisan lemonade
The Baking Nanny
Nice Buns – scones and tray bakes
Cheesemakers of Canterbury
Kent Cider
Jacques et Lilie – French coffee and pastries
Granny’s Kitchen – cakes, pies and savouries
Bakeaway – bread and baked goods
David Simmons – fruit and veg
Jeannette’s Bakes – cakes, savouries and soups
Miam Jars – pickles and preserves
Carrington Sauces
Twinks Treats – home baking
Olives and nibbles stall
Gilda Bakery
John’s Kitchen – jams, pickles and liqueurs
Simply Marvellous Ice Cream
Faversham Ices
The Stroppy Mare – Pimms bar
Gifts:
Neal’s Yard toiletries
The Spire – Faversham satire
Vintage tools
The Spire – satirical publications and merchandise
Romney Marsh Records
Plants and flowers:
Richard’s Plants – shrubs, plants, trees pots and baskets
Friendy’s Flowers
As well as:
The Furniture Barn
Tell’s Pets – food and accessories
Abbey Physic Garden
Watch out for:
The Stroppy Mare – The Stroppy Mare is a family run horsebox bar serving coffee and cocktails. They will be celebrating Faversham’s connection with the founder of Pimms by serving our favourite summer drink.
Simmons Fruit & Veg – traditional Faversham farmers selling locally grown produce. Watch out for their historical market display.
Faversham is a charming medieval market town, with a picturesque town centre, historic quay and a fabulous selection of places to shop, eat and drink.
When you’re visiting we strongly recommend that you visit one of the town’s cafes, bars, pubs or restaurants for some delicious breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. There will be plenty of independent shops for visitors to enjoy too.
Don’t forget to take a short walk down Faversham’s beautiful, medieval Abbey Street to Standard Quay. The perfect Creekside location for a walk or a spot of eating and shopping. As you head off down Abbey Street from the town centre, you will find Creek Creative – a gathering point for Faversham’s creative scene with a popular café, gallery and shop selling local art.
Don’t forget to visit Preston Street, Faversham’s high street, which has a terrific selection of businesses as well as the Faversham Fleur Museum, a wonderful spot to take the children, with plenty of hands-on fun including an old fashioned telephone exchange.
Before you leave, you’d be crazy not to pop into Macknade Fine Foods on the A2 towards Canterbury. It has a fantastic selection of local and European food and drink along with indoor and outdoor places to eat some of their scrummy food.
To find out more about visiting Faversham, click here for the Visit Faversham website.
William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book recorded that Faversham was a royal manor, with a market and two salt-houses. Faversham was one of only 42 places in England where a market was recorded. It’s not known how long the market in Faversham had been in operation, but it is likely to have been for many years prior to the records being gathered to produce the Domesday Book, so maybe even longer than 1,000 years!
A Charter of Incorporation by Henry VIII in 1546 granted, amongst other items, the privilege of a market three times a week and on half-holidays, and a fair in February and August. This was reaffirmed by a Charter of Re-Incorporation by James II in 1685.
Faversham was also granted certain rights by the monarchy, one of which states that a new market town could not be established within the distance it took to drive a herd of sheep to market in one day, probably in the region of 6 miles. This distance is still law in England today.
Read more about the history of Faversham Market here.
Faversham Market runs three regular markets in the centre of Faversham. Faversham Charter Market is a traditional market selling a selection of food, drink, clothing, plants, pet essentials and items for you and your home. This is held on every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Best of Faversham Market showcases local makers and designers and is held in Preston Street on the first and third Saturday of the month.
Faversham Antiques Market is held on the first Sunday of the month and has become the country’s largest town centre antiques market.
For further details click here.
Faversham Millennium Market is organised by Faversham Market with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.