East Midlands

The East Midlands, find a wealth of picturesque market towns and historic markets which are steeped in history. Nottinghamshire is a county with a fine tradition of hosting markets on a weekly or monthly basis with a great choice of places to visit either in the city or country.

Nottingham itself has the excellent Victoria Centre Market, which covers five regular open markets, its own car boot sale along with a number of specialist markets throughout the year.

Nottingham also has an excellent indoor market in the City Centre, with another also at Long Eaton where you are likely to find handmade jewellery, earrings, cards and handmade gifts.

Mansfield, lying on the river Maun and the largest town in Nottinghamshire has a main market on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a Farmers Market on the third Tuesday of every month.

The historic market town of Retford was granted its first charter by King Henry III in 1246, which was extended in 1275 by King Edward I to allow a Saturday Market a tradition that continues today.

The open-air market - held in the market square each Thursday and Saturday - is very popular, whilst Friday is opportunity for browsers to seek out bargains at the Antique and Collectors Market. The third Saturday of every month sees a popular Farmers’ Market held, plus there is a ‘Crafty Corner Craft Market’ on the first and third Friday of the month between May and October.

The bustling general markets in Newark are also extremely popular with both locals and visitors, with the Saturday market in particular a vibrant focus for this historic market town. The general retail market is held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, a collectors and antiques market staged on Monday, Thursday and bank holidays, and a Farmers market also held in Newark on the first Wednesday of each month.

With its elegant Regency houses and Minster church, the town of Southwell is also lovely spot to visit, no more so for its markets on Thursday and Saturday.

In neighbouring Derbyshire and the Peak District, traditional markets also play an important part in the shopping scene. Derby city centre has plenty of choice, with the Eagle Market in St Peters Quarter, an undercover market housed in a modern building containing 340 stalls, offering a wide range of goods. There is also the fully restored Victorian Market Hall in Cathedral Quarter which has a variety of stalls with a separate Fish and Poultry sections.

Then there is Allenton Market, a traditional open-air market on Osmaston Road which offers around 90 stalls with covered walkways. Chesterfield market – held on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays - is one of the biggest open-air markets in the country. Whatever you want to buy, there’s a stall selling it somewhere packed into the town centre.