Derbyshire’s best markets and country shows

By Anna Melton

You can’t beat an old-fashioned market and there are plenty vibrant open-air markets and farmers’ markets in Derbyshire and the Peak District – here are some of the best.


Chesterfield

Chesterfield is home to an indoor market and one of the largest open-air markets with a history dating back to 1204. Selling everything from cutlery to carpets, shirts to shoes and pans to potatoes, whatever you want to buy, there’s a stall selling it somewhere – it’s just a matter of finding it among all the stalls packed into the town centre every Monday, Friday and Saturday all year round.

Chesterfield Market stall

Pick up a selection of locally-produced jams and chutneys at Chesterfield Market

Every Thursday the popular flea market comes to town, where you’ll have the chance to bag yourself a bargain or maybe a priceless antique in disguise. On the second Thursday of every month, the Flea Market joins with a Farmers’ Market. Find organic vegetables, rare-breed meat, fish, Derbyshire honey, home-made cakes and cheese alongside quirky knick-knacks and pre-loved treasures. The last Sunday of every month, Chesterfield Market Square plays host to the hugely popular Artisan Market.

Chesterfield is home to an indoor market and one of the largest open-air markets with a history dating back to 1204 – selling everything from cutlery to carpets, shirts to shoes and pans to potatoes, whatever you want to buy, there’s a stall selling it

Bakewell

If markets are your thing, then after Chesterfield, Bakewell is the place to head. The Peak District town is home to the farmers’ market, which regularly attracts more than 5,000 visitors and is held under cover on the last Saturday of every month.

Hand-made soap

There are lots of opportunities to buy hand-made goods in the Peak District

Organised by Derbyshire Dales District Council, the hugely popular market showcases high-quality, local, traceable food and crafts from in and around the Peak District.

Farmers’ markets

Leek offers one of Derbyshire’s leading farmers’ markets, offering baked goods, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry together with local and regional specialist produce. It is held on the third Saturday and third Wednesday of every month on the Market Square.

Buying bread at a market stall

You can buy freshly-baked goods at several farmers’ markets around Derbyshire

Other popular Peak District and Derbyshire markets can be found in Ashbourne every Thursday and Saturday, with an artisan market on the second Sunday of each month, and Buxton, which boasts the highest market in England at 1020ft above sea level, every Tuesday and Saturday.

Leek offers one of Derbyshire’s leading farmers’ markets, offering baked goods, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry together with local and regional specialist produce

Country shows

There are also lots of opportunities for visitors to enjoy the local cultures and traditions at the many country shows throughout Derbyshire and the Peak District. Chatsworth Country Fair probably the most famous of the county shows and visitors flock from miles around the country and even arrive from overseas. Technically, it is a country fair, but takes place every year at the very end of August.

Chatsworth Country Fair at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire

Foodies will love Chatsworth Country Fair

Derbyshire County Show is a traditional affair and every year in June the organisers put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into the attractions for visitors to enjoy. Ashover Show is an annual agricultural and horticultural society bonanza with a very traditional country show feel. It is one of the most popular agricultural shows in the country and enjoys tremendous loyalty and support from its members, supporters and visitors.


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Image credits: ©Caroline Attwood/Unsplash; Chatsworth House Trust; Destination Chesterfield/Matt Jones Photography; Free Photos/Pixabay; Highwaystarz/stock.adobe.com

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