With yet another heatwave on the horizon, there’s no better excuse to head out and make the most of the sunshine. From bustling food markets to flower-filled pub gardens, Britain’s best market towns are perfect for long, leisurely lunches and drinks aplenty in the open air.
Whether you’re planning a summer day trip or a weekend escape, these charming destinations combine independent food and drink with some of the country’s top spots to eat outdoors. From freshly caught fish and award-winning craft beer to small plates and sourdough pizzas, these six British market towns boast some of the finest pub gardens and al fresco dining spots – and you’ll want to add them to your list.
This Georgian delight of a town has a Saturday market that dates to the 13th century. It’s also set right on the water, with views across the Solent and to the Isle of Wight.
More of a yachting town than a beach spot, hundreds of boats moored around Lymington – it’s also enviable for its proximity to the New Forest.
According to local figures, there are 66 places to eat, from Coffee & Drift, serving hot and cold drinks and baked goods, to The Haven in the marina, with fresh seafood on the menu.
The Ship Inn is right on the town’s quay and its outdoor tables overlooking the water are hot property on sunny days. Expect traditional pub grub along with freshly caught fish and vegetarian options.
The four-star Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel has rooms on a B&B basis from £135 for two. Accessible rooms available. macdonaldhotels.co.uk/elmers-court
Malton dates to the 1st century AD – and its first market was recorded in 1283. Today, it looks rather like a northern Cotswolds community with limestone and sandstone buildings.
It is often described as “the food capital of Yorkshire“, for good reason. Each year, the Food Lovers’ Festival comes to town. Here, visitors can sample Michelin-star-worthy dishes.
While this year’s event has been and gone, there’s many local establishments in which to feed your cravings. Castle Brewery Tap House serves award-winning craft beer from its adjacent brewery, while Florio’s Italian has been family run since 1984. The Royal Oak pub has a large garden.
A night’s B&B at four-star The Talbot costs from £160 for two. Accessible rooms available. talbotmalton.co.uk
Medieval Ludlow has held street markets since the twelfth century, and the tradition is still going strong.
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the town square hosts more than forty stalls selling a range of goods including fresh, local produce and cheeses.
Huddled near the Shropshire hills and described by poet John Betjeman as “probably the loveliest town in England”, Ludlow has plenty of cafés and restaurants with al fresco dining, too.
CSONS at The Green Cafe is on the banks of the River Teme, with a patio overlooking the pretty weir. Here, you’ll find a seasonally influenced menu. Kin Kitchen, meanwhile, is a family run cafe set in one of Ludlow’s more than 500 listed buildings and with a manicured garden.
The three-star Fishmore Hall Hotel has B&B stays from £89 a night. Accessible rooms available. fishmorehall.co.uk
It may be a small city rather than a town, but Canterbury has a glut of markets. They include Canterbury City Market, which first opened in 1453.
Its held every Wednesday from April until late autumn, with stallholders selling produce from the area, including vegetables, bread and pastries.
Canterbury is also a Unesco World Heritage site and dates back to prehistoric times. It’s perhaps best known for its cathedral, founded in 597AD, but less recognised for its outdoor attractions.
Those in the know admire the city’s timber-framed Tudor buildings, then take a punt down the River Stour.
Its streets are packed with places to eat and there are plenty of pub gardens. The Parrot is tucked away along a cobbled side street and housed in a 14th-century hostelry. It serves modern pub food and real ales and has a suntrap terrace. On St Radigund Street, The Dolphin, with its spacious decked garden, holds live music events, such disco and reggae nights.
For food, try The Monument, which opened as a pub in 1803. It has one of Canterbury’s largest pub gardens and a menu of small plates, traditional pub food and sourdough pizzas.
A night at the four-star Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, in the grounds of the cathedral, starts from £120, with breakfast. Accessible rooms available. canterburycathedrallodge.org
On the River Dee, in Denbighshire, this town is known for its food festival, held every October. Its culinary credentials, and scenery, make it worth a visit year-round.
Dating to the 7th century, Llangollen has a diverse mix of architecture, including a medieval abbey and industrial buildings from the 19th century.
Known as a base for walks through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, lamb and black beef are raised on Llangollen’s surrounds, and trout is fished from the River Dee.
The Chapel St Bar and Kitchen has a menu stocked by local butchers. For afters, Bara Brith (fruit loaf) is a regional favourite. Try it at the Cottage Tearooms and Bistro on the river, right by Llangollen Bridge. Its outdoor seating area is inviting on warm days.
The four-star Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa starts from £104 per night, on a room-only basis. Breakfast is £14.95pp. Accessible rooms available. wild-pheasant.hotels-wales.com
In the heart of the Dumfries and Galloway region, Wigtown is “Scotland’s National Book Town”, thanks to its high volume of second-hand book shops and the annual book festival in the autumn. It’s also a great spot for al fresco dining in fine weather.
Wigtown Market has been running for more than 20 years, making it one of the area’s most established. Every Saturday, from Easter weekend until the end of September, you’ll find fruit and vegetables, breads, meat and street food available – with the latter ideal for a picnic in the adjacent park.
Alternatively, try a light lunch at Cobwebs restaurant or take a seat outside Books and Bakes, a pretty cafe-cum-bookshop with a sun-dappled courtyard garden.
A B&B stay at the three-star Craigmount costs from £110 per night. craigmount.info