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.
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.
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.
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.
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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