Get ready for Faversham Millennium Market

What to look out for at Faversham Millennium Market

A low down on the day’s activities, demonstrations, entertainment & traders

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.

Entertainment

  • We are so excited that Faversham’s Dark Knight will be making an appearance at the Millennium Market as 12pm and 2pm. They will be carrying their standard and dressed in medieval armour and finery, accompanied by a page boy.
  • There will be traditional juggling and stilt walking by JuggleItAll between 11am and 1pm taking place around the town centre.
  • Hello, hello, hello. What’s going on here then? Watch out for appearances by plods from the Kent Police Museum in period dress – they’ll be making sure our visitors are on their best behaviour!
  • We can’t have an event celebrating Faversham Market without inviting the Happy Ending’s Donkeys! They will be making an appearance all day, ready for cuddles and carrots.
  • Shepherd Neame will be displaying some of their vintage vehicles outside their offices in Court Street.
  • The kids will love the livestock displays in the Market Place with sheep and Shetland ponies making an appearance.
  • Traditional folk music will be performed by local musicians around the town centre.
  • It wouldn’t be a Faversham town centre event without inviting Faversham Radio to provide music and commentary for all our visitors.

      

Activities

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.

  • Check out the window display created by the Faversham Society, celebrating 100 years of Faversham and its markets.

Behind the Guildhall

  • Sandwich Medieval Trust will be giving demonstrations on medieval skills including calligraphy and manuscript illumination. You can also have a go at popular medieval tabletop games such as ‘Three Men’s Merrills’ and ‘Alquerque.
  • Unique opportunity to learn how to make Corn Dollies with traditional wheat weaver Carol Partridge. This is a dying art as the straw needed is only grown by a handful of specialist farmers and there are few people carrying on the custom and passing on their knowledge to ensure that this folk craft survives.
  • Learn about the tradition of herbalism by local medical herbalist Mandy Richard. She will be carrying out demonstrations and activities for adults and children to enjoy.

Upstairs at the Guildhall

  • Role Play Rascals are creating historical fun for the young ones who can play at appearing at a royal court. There will be a fabulous gold throne, knights costumes,  swords and plenty of dressing up.
  • Make your own paper crown with the Plant and Paper Company.
  • Take part in a day long session of the now historic Faversham Monopoly. Have fun spotting which local streets and landmarks make an appearance in this board game celebrating all things Faversham.
  • Learn about some of Faversham’s infamous ghosts with Atomic Squib, a local illustrator who loves to drawn the town’s ghosts and apparitions.
  • Faversham Safari will be running a raffle to raise funds for the Faversham Creek Trust.

Market Place

  • Beautiful birds of prey display by Joe’s Bows taking place all day.
  • Anyone who isn’t behaving themselves better watch out, or their friends and family may decide to put them in Faversham Town Council’s stocks!

          activities at Faversham Millennium Market

Stalls

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.

 

     

Things to do in Faversham

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.

Brief history of the market

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.

About Faversham Market

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.