Bath’s Spring Fayre, taking place this weekend across Milsom Street, Quiet Street, and New Bond Street, is a treasure trove of the quirky and extraordinary. A more relaxed alternative to the bustling Christmas Market, this charming event offers an array of fascinating goods for those eager to explore something different.
On Friday, May 9, we wandered through stalls featuring everything from witch’s potions and South African biltong to Viking drinking horns and an astonishing 72 varieties of cheese! Here’s a glimpse of the delights awaiting visitors on Saturday and Sunday.
At Bil-Tomm’s Biltong stall, Alex Bird, 37, shares the story behind this traditional South African snack. Unlike beef jerky, biltong combines the Afrikaans words ‘bil’ (hide) and ‘tong’ (tongue), reflecting its unique preparation. Packed with 60 grams of protein per 100 grams, it’s a perfect snack for fitness enthusiasts—just ask the South African rugby team, Alex jokes.
READ MORE: I Went to a Seaside Town’s Indoor Market and Was the Only Customer
READ MORE: Somerset Funeral Notices: Heartfelt Tributes to 35 Beloved Locals
Legend surrounds the brand’s founder, also from South Africa, who sports a boar tooth necklace — a trophy from a dramatic encounter with a giant bush pig. After a fierce struggle, he crafted the tooth into a necklace, which he has worn faithfully for over 30 years.
Cheese lovers flock to Curds and Whey, where Nick proudly counted his collection: 72 varieties in total, including an exceptional hard cheese from Somerset. Nick’s passion is simple—he just loves good food, and his selection reflects the best England has to offer. Currently, Curds and Whey doesn’t have an online shop, so the fayre is the place to taste these remarkable cheeses.
Carpe Noctem’s Bex, 37, embraces her “crazy bird lady” nickname with pride. Her exquisite hand-painted crows and ravens adorn a range of products, including a stunning £185 clutch depicting Shakespeare’s Ophelia, mystical bath potions named ‘Dreams’ and ‘Landslides,’ ghost figurines, and £5 mystery bags. She even crafts witch-inspired room sprays using ingredients from her parents’ garden in Crete. When asked about her passion for birds, Bex smiles and agrees, “Every witch needs a familiar.”
The Cheshire Cheese Company brings bold flavors to the fayre with innovative cheeses like charcoal-black cheddar, mustard-infused ‘Old Hag,’ chili-lime-tequila blends, and even roast dinner cheddar. For adventurous palates, the jerk spice cheddar is a must-try, but the comforting roast dinner cheese is a crowd-pleaser. You can also shop their unique offerings online.
Bath Spring Fayre runs from Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 11, in the heart of the city. If you’re seeking extraordinary flavors, crafts, and stories, this is the place to be.