| You don’t
need to be into antiques to go on a bargain hunt in Newcastle,
as the area’s markets offer plenty of opportunity
for discount discoveries.
For the quintessential market experience, Newcastle style,
head for Grainger Market [map].
When it was opened in 1835, it was the largest undercover
market in Europe with around 243 shops and stalls. Today
it is a little smaller than that but traders still mainly
sell meat and veg. However this is by no means a comprehensive
description of the wares available and one of the market’s
shopping treasures is the smallest Marks and Spencer
in the world.
Another market within throwing distance of Grey’s
Monument is Greenmarket [map].
As the name suggests it does sell a variety of produce so if plants, flowers, vegetables or fruit are on your
shopping list, then this market should be on your itinerary.
The market is an extension of Eldon Square so you shouldn’t
find it too hard to locate, and if you get stuck, just
follow your nose as there’s also a fish market there.
However for a real taste of market-style bargain hunting
then get up on a Sunday morning and head to Quayside
Market [map].
The market opens at 9:00am and features around 200 stalls
selling clothes, books, antiques, CDs and various other
affordable articles ripe for the spendthrifts picking.
The market is only open until 2.30pm but if you manage
to rise early enough, you could enjoy breakfast while
gazing at the river before you shop. However this is one
of the biggest open-air markets in the country and is
very popular so don’t spend too long gazing!
As well as being the name of the favourite haunt of weekend
revellers, Bigg Market [map] is also an actual market. In fact it is Newcastle’s
oldest market as it dates back to Medieval times.
The name originates from an ancient word for barley, and
the market, held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,
has stuck to its crop roots by selling fruit and veg.
If you’re willing to do a bit of extra legwork to
get your fix of bargain, then a trip to Tynemouth Market
[map] may be well worth it. Open on both Saturday and Sunday,
you can take your pick as to which weekend day you choose
to take the Metro to Tynemouth station to make the most
of the market. Once there you have the whole day (9:00am-4:00pm)
to haggle for the best price for your pictures, china,
furniture, records, books, flowers and more in this popular
flea market.
Other markets in and around Newcastle include an arts
and crafts market [map] which happens every Sunday on Armstrong Bridge by Jesmond
Dene, and a Farmer’s Market [map] which happens on the first Friday of every month
at Grey’s Monument.
If you want to comment on our choices or recommend somewhere,
why not use our What
You Recommend form to let us know.
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