Things to do > Shopping > Market towns

Our market towns

The buzz of city centre shopping in Nottingham is complemented by a choice of quaint and bustling market towns. Each market town offers a unique shopping experience.

Mansfield
The Market Place is the focal point of the town centre and has hosted a market since 1227. The market place remains a vibrant location within the town centre and hosts a market most days – whether it’s a full market, the ever-popular flea market or one of many speciality markets held within the town. Throughout the year, you’ll discover continental style markets, ceramics fairs and many others hosted here.

Mansfield is also home to large department stores and major retailers. The Four Seasons shopping centre is packed with high street stores and stalls. Meanwhile, the Old Town area is a hotspot for smaller shops and boutiques offering designer clothes and accessories, handmade and designer jewellery antiques and art. In addition, Mansfield is home to two large retail parks with large, high street stores including Next and TK Maxx.

Retford
Retford offers a great variety of markets as well an impressive range of traditional high street and independent shops. On the third Saturday of every month, Retford plays host to a popular farmers’ market where a variety of local produce is on sale. 

On Fridays, browsers can seek out bargains at the antiques and bric-a-brac market, followed by a trip to the Antiques Centre on Chancery Lane where more than 20 permanent stalls can be found.

Worksop
Worksop town centre has an interesting mix of mostly high street shops alongside a few boutique-style shops. The main market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. A traditional flea market takes place on Tuesdays.

Newark
With its traditional open market, speciality shops and high street stores, the historic town of Newark, has much to offer. It is particularly known for its internationally renowned antique and pine outlets. And, just as in medieval times, Newark is at its liveliest on market days.

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the main traditional market offers a wide selection of food and wares. For antiques or crafts, there are bargains galore in the Market Place on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays or at the auctions market every Wednesday at Riverside. 

And, if you’re looking for fresh product at fair prices, try the Farmers Markets, held in the Market Place on the fourth Thursday of every month.

Southwell
Markets in Southwell date back to 1227. And, since 1970, a site cleared of old houses on King Street has been used for a regular Saturday market. Meanwhile, Southwell holds a Farmers’ Market every second Friday of the month, when local food producers sell directly to the public (9am to lunchtime), and a lively Continental Market visits twice a year. Elsewhere in this charming town, the Bull Yard features several interesting small shops.

If you're staying over in the city then check out our list of approved Nottingham hotels. Nottinghamshire and Sherwood Forest are great options for UK family holidays and our Robin Hood breaks website has everything you need. For that home away from home try our range of Nottingham bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) or our approved Nottingham holiday cottages.