Cheltenham market

In 1226 King Henry III granted Cheltenham the right to hold a market every Thursday and 800 years on, the town still hosts a market on that day each week at the west end of the High Street. Fresh local fruit and vegetables can be found as well as clothes, cds and plants.

The market was originally held opposite the Plough Hotel, the site of which is now occupied by the Regents Arcade. Permanent market buildings, including a stone Market Hall on stone pillars , reminiscent of those still surviving in other Gloucesterhise towns, such as Tetbury or Minchinhampton, were established. As the town grew, the presence of the market became a problem and the buildings were cleared away by the newly appointed Town Commissioners in 1786.

A new Market House was built where Clarence Street joins the High Street but in 1822 the site of the market was moved yet again. A new Market House was constructed to the north of the High Street , near to its present site, by Lord Sherborne, Lord of the Manor of Cheltenham. It was originally approached through a Moghul Indian style screen. Sadly, this most unusual structure was demolished in 1867. In 1876 a decision was made to remove the market from the town centre altogether to a new site off Gloucester Road. The name of nearby Market Street reminds us that once the market was held there.

CHELTENHAM FARMERS' MARKET Cheltenham Farmers' Market takes place in Long Gardens, Promenade every 2nd and last Friday of each month 9am to 3pm. Farmers market is bright and bustling. Located right in the centre of Cheltenham it makes a vibrant scene and it is a great opportunity to sample and buy locally grown and made produce from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.

Cheltenham Racecourse is host to a large Antiques and Collectors Fair on the last Sunday of every month. Visitors can find more than 100 antiques and collectables stalls indoor and outdoor. It is open 8am - 4pm, admission is £2.

Cheltenham has to offer plenty of car boot sales. Every Sunday from 6:30 in the morning, there is a car boot sale at the racecourse with over 200 pitches. From May to August, another car boot sale is held in Southam, just past the racecourse on the Bishop's Cleeve road on Saturdays and Sundays 9am-1pm.