County Durham and North Yorkshire are home to some of the finest markets in the North of England, from an award-winning farmers' market on a medieval cobbled street to a monthly artisan gathering in the grounds of a castle.
Whether you are after fresh bread, locally reared meat, handmade ceramics or simply a good morning out, the markets in this part of the world are well worth planning a day around this summer.
Barnard Castle Farmers' Market, County Durham
This is the one that gets the awards. Barnard Castle Farmers' Market was named Farmers' Market of the Year 2024 by the Farm Retail Association and has since been highlighted by national press as one of the top ten farmers' markets in the UK.
Held on the cobbles of the Horsemarket on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm, it features more than 80 stalls selling locally grown vegetables, organically reared meat and artisan food and crafts from across the region.
The Express praised it for its "historic and picturesque location" and noted it is known for "proudly specialising in organically grown meat and veg."
It is one of those markets where the setting is as much of a draw as the produce: the medieval streets of Barnard Castle make a remarkable backdrop on a summer morning.
Next dates
July 4, August 1, September 5, 9am to 2pm.
Parking
Galgate Car Park (DL12 8EJ) is a pay-and-display car park with 175 spaces a short walk from the Horsemarket. It costs £5.60 for over four hours of parking.
Queen Street Car Park (DL12 8GB) is a good alternative.
Arrive early on market Saturdays as both fill up quickly.
Middleton-in-Teesdale Farmers and Indie Market, County Durham
Held at the Middleton Mart on the last Saturday of the month from 9am to 1pm, this is one of Teesdale's best-kept secrets and one that organisers promise will be the "best year yet" for 2026.
The market attracts more than 80 vendors selling bread, beer, cider, honey and handmade crafts, all gathered in one of the most scenic market towns in the Durham Dales.
Free entry and free parking make it particularly family-friendly, and its location in Upper Teesdale puts it within easy striking distance of the High Force waterfall walks for a combined day out.
Next dates
June 27, July 25, August 29, 9am to 1pm.
Parking
Free parking on site at Middleton-in-Teesdale Mart, Station Road, DL12 0SL.
Malton Monthly Artisan Market and Summer FEASTival, North Yorkshire
Malton has staked a serious claim to the title of Yorkshire's Food Capital, and its monthly artisan market backs that up. Held on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm in the market place, it features independent traders selling food, craft and gifts from across the region.
The bigger event of the summer is the Malton Summer FEASTival, a three-day gathering in Malton Market Place combining live music, street food, unusual groceries and crafts.
One TripAdvisor reviewer who visited specifically for the market wrote: "We went to Malton especially for the market and it didn't disappoint.
"Lots of choices, lots of different foods, great stalls and stall holders that are all really friendly."
Next dates
Monthly market: June 27, 10am to 3pm.
Parking
Malton offers two hours of free parking in several town centre car parks: Market Place (YO17 7LX), Chancery Lane, Shambles Car Park and Navigation Wharf.
Long-stay paid parking is available at Wentworth Street and Water Lane car parks.
Knaresborough Artisan Market, North Yorkshire
Set in the Castle Yard at Knaresborough Castle on the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm, this is one of the most atmospheric market settings in North Yorkshire.
Visit North Yorkshire describes it as "a curated collection of independent artisans offering the community a chance to shop truly local."
The combination of the market, the castle grounds and the views down to the River Nidd makes it an easy half-day out.
Next dates
July 4, August 1, September 5, 10am to 3pm.
Parking
Castle Yard Car Park (HG5 8AR) is directly beside the market with 70 spaces and a four-hour maximum stay.
It fills quickly on market Saturdays; Chapel Street and Fisher Street car parks are good alternatives and are free after 6pm.
Ripon Market, North Yorkshire
One of North Yorkshire's oldest and most traditional markets, Ripon has been trading in its Market Place every Thursday since the 11th century, with a smaller version on Saturday mornings.
Summer brings the market to its best, with stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, cheese, baked goods and local crafts spread across the square beneath the cathedral towers.
One recent visitor on TripAdvisor described a "happy stroll around" with "decent stalls, pleasant and helpful traders and some nice food samples."
Next dates
Open every Thursday, 8am to 3pm, and Saturday, 8:30am to noon, all summer.
Parking
The Market Place short-stay car park closes on Thursdays for the market.
Cathedral Car Park and St Marygate Car Park (HG4 1QS) offer all-day parking for under £3 and are a five-minute walk away.
Blossomgate Car Park (HG4 2AW) is another central option.
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Durham Market Hall, County Durham
For covered, all-weather market shopping, Durham Market Hall on the city's market place is home to 40 independent traders open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm.
This is Durham describes it as "where history and tradition meet contemporary retail", with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and street food to gifts, clothing and vintage.
It is the most accessible market in the region, a short walk from Durham railway station and the cathedral, and a reliable option on wet summer days when outdoor markets have packed up.
Opening times
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm, all year round.
Parking and getting there
Durham railway station is a ten-minute walk away, making this the easiest market to reach by public transport.
For drivers, Prince Bishops and Fowlers Yard multi-storey car parks are within a five-minute walk of the Market Hall in the city centre.
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