Stratford-upon-Avon Markets

Rother Street Market

Stratford-upon-Avon's historic Charter Market has been trading since 1196 and continues to thrive in the heart of the town every Friday and Saturday. You'll find an irresistible mix of street food, fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, cheeses, olives, coffee, cakes, and patisseries. Alongside the food stalls, browse clothing, jewellery, handbags, flowers, gifts, and unique crafts. Open 52 weeks a year, the market offers a warm welcome and a personal shopping experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back.

https://lsdpromotions.com/rother-street-market

Waterside Upmarket

Every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (March - December), Stratford's iconic Waterside Upmarket takes place against the stunning backdrop of the River Avon and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This bustling market showcases a vibrant mix of local makers, crafters, and artists alongside tempting street food, artisan produce, clothing, and gifts. With over 90 high-quality stalls and the occasional street entertainer, it's a must-visit for families, locals, and tourists alike. Take a leisurely stroll by the river, discover something unique, and soak up the lively atmosphere that makes Waterside one of the most-loved markets in the Midlands.

https://lsdpromotions.com/waterside-upmarket

Love Your Local Market

Stratford-upon-Avon Charter Market is one of more than 660 markets throughout the UK that participate in the prestigious Love Your Local Market fortnight each May. The campaign is led by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and is supported by central government, public and private sector market operators and the wider market industry. Following its success in 2012, the campaign is now a permanent feature in the UK market calendar.

National Market Traders Federation

The traders of Stratford-upon-Avon Markets have formed their own branch of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF). The federation offers protection and support to its members and works closely with NABMA to promote markets on the national stage, providing a wide portfolio of member services and looking after the interests of market operators. For more information, visit the Stratford-upon-Avon Market Traders website.

Market History

Following the suppression of the Guild of the Holy Cross, King Edward VI granted a charter of incorporation to the town of Stratford-upon-Avon on the 28th June 1553. The charter conferred on the inhabitants a borough constitution comprising the right to hold, and collect tolls from, a weekly Thursday market and two annual fairs.

At that time, most country dwellers wishing to exchange their farm produce for items they could not make for themselves, depended almost entirely on towns within a radius of five miles or so. As a result, places like Stratford-upon-Avon had fairs and a weekly market because it was particularly well-placed to serve as a market centre, due to the important crossing of the River Avon where several routes converged.

In 1819, the Charter Market was changed to a Friday under the authorisation of King George III. The reason for the change was to avoid competition with markets in other nearby towns.

Further Information and Contact

If you are a market trader and would like to enquire about having a stall on any of the Stratford-upon-Avon Markets, please call LSD Promotions Ltd on 01384 877336 or contact its Operations Manager on 07376 292154. Alternatively you can email customerservice@lsdpromotions.com or stratford@lsdpromotions.com.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council contract LSD Promotions (Market Place) Ltd to provide the markets held in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.

For more information on the markets like dates and times please visit the Regular Markets page on LSD Promotions Ltd.'s website.

The Council welcomes your views and comments concerning the markets; please contact us at info-markets@stratford-dc.gov.uk