Visitors enjoyed a quintessential, charity day out at Barkway Market and helped to raised record funds for the local community. The sun shined and visitors poured into this year’s Barkway Market on Saturday 10 May, which raised over £25,000 for the local community.
The quintessential English country event, which is a charity event and takes place annually in Manor Farm, was officially opened by Kelly Whitaker from Friends of Barkway and Barley Schools (FOBBS). Kelly shared how funds from last year’s event had enabled the school to fund a trip to a local zoo – a first for many of the children – and a great example of how funds raised by the event help to benefit others.
The warm weather and beautiful setting encouraged over 4,000 visitors to take their time miling around over 180 stalls to buy some unique products, and celebrate the day with some delicious food and a glass of something bubbly.
Stallholders, both local and from further afield, offered a wide range of products. These included local artisan cheese, wine, bread, locally grown lavender, carefully sourced antiques, plants and garden accessories, artwork, handcrafted wares, clothing, jewellery, beauty products and more. Charities such as HomeStart Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire were also in attendance to raise funds for their projects.
For the first time this year, visitors were also invited to enjoy Manor Farm’s Secret Garden. This was the perfect setting to sit and enjoy the sunshine, whilst enjoying an ice cream and drink a glass of fizz, and enjoying entertainment from the Royston Town Band and the Barley, Barkway and Chrishall Choir.
Vendors in the Food Court also served delicious choice of food and drink, including refreshments served by Barkway’s Tally Ho pub. There really was something for everyone to enjoy whilst sitting on a hay bale and listening to music provided by Royston Radio. There were plenty of activities for children too. Bouncy castles, balloon modelling and face painting, as well as the opportunity to have a photo taken with ‘Barkway Bear’ and the chance to win a family ticket to Standalone Farm. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a wide choice of ice creams available too.
Other local organisations were also involved too. Barkway Church was the setting for the popular Craft Fair and served refreshments within the grounds of Manor Farm. The 7th Royston Barkway Scout Group marshalled the car park and took voluntary donations, and Friends of Barkway and Barley Schools (FOBBS) who ran a BBQ onsite.
Barkway Market is entirely volunteer led, with the help of a dedicated committee who are supported by people from within the local community, who kindly give up their free time on the day. The event also wouldn’t be possible without the support of the landowners who allow the Market to take place within the grounds of Manor Farm and allow visitors to park on a private meadow nearby.
When asked about their day, one of the visitors commented “We’ve never been before and honestly we had the best day out as a family. So beautifully curated and well organised. Thank you!!”
The Barkway Market committee said: “The Barkway Market raises money for our local community. It is great news that we have had another successful year and have raised money for local causes. We can now make these funds available. Therefore, we invite applications for funding from all members of our community groups or individuals.”
If you have a request for funding, please complete the form online at www.barkwaymarket.org/apply-for-funding and submit by email to info@barkwaymarket.org – Alternatively, please post to Barkway Market Funds 2025, The Reading Room, 12, High Street, Barkway, SG8 8EA by 30 June 2025
Barkway is part of the old London to Cambridge coaching route and the origins of the Market can be traced back to medieval times in 1270. It was re-established in 1977 as a “Street Market”, when residents Molly Bruce, Mr Fidler and others wanted to raise money for a village party to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
Barkway’s Grade II Listed ‘Carriage Wash’, which can be found close to Manor Farm is included in Historic England’s National Heritage List.
For more details about the Market, please visit www.barkwaymarket.org or follow them on Facebook @barkwayvillagemarket or Instagram @barkwaymarket. ookings for 2026 will be open to potential stallholders early next year.
