Saturday 14 January 2023

Borough Market - All the fun of the Frost Fairs

 


All the fun of the Frost Fairs

 
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, the stretch of the Thames right next to Borough Market played host to a series of spontaneous festivals known as the Frost Fairs. In the coldest of winters, the river would occasionally freeze solid – and whenever it did, Londoners would flood onto the ice to play, dance, shop, eat and drink (and drink, and drink). To commemorate this highly entertaining chapter in the area’s long history, we’ve joined with our neighbours around Bankside to lay on a multi-media trail of street murals, digital art installations and events. Read the full programme here.

To whet your appetite, we’ve also recorded a special Frost Fair-themed episode of the Borough Talks podcast. Mark Riddaway, author of Edible Histories, takes us through some hair-raising history, while Tim Wilson of Ginger Pig and Andy Geddes of The Cinnamon Tree Bakery discuss how the spirit of the Frost Fairs resonates with today’s Market traders.

 
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Dancing on ice

The story of the Frost Fairs tells us a lot about how Londoners react when presented with the opportunity for unfettered fun. Mark Riddaway rattles through that story, telling a tale of wild parties, delicious food, flowing booze and extremely hazardous entertainment. Read now

Frost fare

A major appeal of the Frost Fairs was the food sold by traders out on the ice. Just because we can’t slide around on the river like Frost Fair revellers doesn’t mean we can’t eat and drink like them. And, as this guide explains, Borough Market is the perfect place to start. Read now

Recipes

Baghare baingan


Tender aubergines in a nutty, sweet-sour masala sauce: punchy southern Indian ingredients carefully balanced to create a sophisticated vegan curry. 
RECIPE BY ROOPA GULATI
 

Coconut, kiwi & lime chia pudding with ABC nut butter


A delicious, highly nutritious vegan breakfast recipe from Zoe Roberts, owner of Borough Market’s Butter Nut of London stall.
RECIPE BY ZOE ROBERTS
 
Traders

Comptoir Gourmand

Comptoir Gourmand sells cakes and pastries with an emphasis on traditional French techniques and fresh, quality ingredients. Specialities include fruit tartes, meringues, éclairs and rich, custardy canelé de Bordeaux. The stall’s beautiful bakes are now also available in the Southwark Cathedral cafe – a perfect spot to warm up after shopping in the Market.

Palace Culture

Selling products handcrafted in Crystal Palace from organic nuts, Cornish sea salt and all manner of different spices and herbs, Palace Culture is biting back at the belief that vegan cheese is bland. Products range from almond feta to semi-soft goat-style cheeses to spreadable smoked almond ricotta. The cheeses are as well suited to cooking with as they are to eating on a cracker.