Markets in Stokesley
A Town That Loves Its Markets
From award-winning farmers' markets to an 800-year-old traditional fair!
Stokesley's Friday Market is one of the oldest markets in North Yorkshire, with origins that may stretch all the way back to the Norman Conquest.
The earliest recorded evidence comes from 1278–1281, noted in the Online Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales to 1516. Around this time, Hugh de Eure — then Lord of the Manor — asserted that a market had been held by his ancestors since the time of the Norman Conquest. Although he was fined for being unable to produce a royal charter authorising it, the market was permitted to continue.
Further records from Kirby's Inquest in Yorkshire in the 1280s suggest Hugh de Eure also claimed the market was authorised under a charter granted by Henry III. The Victoria County History (A History of the County of York, North Riding: Volume II) lends further weight to these historical claims.
While recent searches have not uncovered documentary proof of a formal royal grant, it is widely believed that such records no longer exist. What is certain is that Stokesley's Friday Market has been a cornerstone of local trade and community life for well over seven centuries — and long may it continue.
Stokesley Friday Market – Fresh, Local & Trading Since the Norman Conquest
One of North Yorkshire's longest-running traditional markets
Stokesley's traditional Friday Market runs every week from 8:30am through to mid-afternoon, right in the heart of the town. It's a much-loved fixture in the local calendar, attracting visitors from across the Stokesley and North Yorkshire area.
What's on offer:
- Fresh food & produce: Fruit & vegetables, fish, cheese, sausages, eggs, pies, bread, cakes and jams
- Fashion & accessories: Clothing, jewellery, gold, bags, shoes and leather goods
- Home & garden: Household goods, plants, flowers and bric-a-brac
- Gifts & haberdashery: Cards and fabric/material
Plus a snack bar for when you need a break from browsing!
Trade at Stokesley Market
Interested in having a stall at Stokesley Friday Market? We'd love to hear from you.
The Town Clerk acts as Market Superintendent and is your first point of contact for all trading enquiries.
Stokesley Farmers' Market & Mid Month Market
Stokesley is home to not one but two outstanding monthly markets, both held on The Plain and open from 8:30am to 2:30pm:
- Farmers' Market – First Saturday of every month
- Mid Month Market – Third Saturday of every month
Stokesley Farmers' Market has been running since 2003 and has grown steadily in both size and reputation, now welcoming over 30 stalls every month. It is run by Northern Dales Farmers' Markets, a not-for-profit social enterprise, and operates on a strict local sourcing policy — every product is grown or produced within 50 miles of Stokesley.
You'll find an exceptional range of locally produced goods including:
Fresh food: Bread, cakes, biscuits, puddings, cereals, soup, vegetables, fruit, plants and herbs
Meat, fish & dairy: Meat, poultry, game, fish, dairy, eggs, pies and pasties
Preserves & treats: Jams, honey, chutneys, preserves, sweets and fudge, spices
Wellbeing & gifts: Soap, skincare and cookware
The Mid Month Market is a newer addition to the Stokesley calendar, celebrating local creativity and craftsmanship alongside the town's strong food and farming heritage.
Award-Winning & Nationally Recognised
Stokesley Farmers' Market has long been regarded as one of the finest in the North — and in 2014, that reputation was officially confirmed when it was named FARMA National Farmers' Market of the Year.
Awards judge Gareth Jones described it as a market that is "brimming with local food and bursting with energy," and the award citation specifically recognised the vital role played by Stokesley Town Council, noting that "the market has been hugely supported by Stokesley Town Council and shows how local partnership can be so enabling."
For more information about Northern Dales Farmers' Markets, visit www.northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com
Specialist Markets
Additional specialist markets take place around Christmas and Easter each year. Keep an eye on this website and our notice boards for dates and details.
