Barkway Market, a quintessential English country event, will take place again this year on Saturday 11th May in Barkway, Hertfordshire.
Held within the grounds of Manor Farm, one of Barkway’s oldest houses, and with a craft fair in the Church, Barkway Market is expected to attract around 4,000 visitors.
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, was recently added to Historic England’s National Heritage List.
Nowadays, the Market is organised by a team of volunteers on behalf of Barkway Village Hall, which is a registered charity and hosts many of Barkway’s community groups. All proceeds go towards the running of the Hall and in 2022/23 were distributed more widely to local community groups and projects for the young and old alike; from a weekly toddler group to a monthly village luncheon.
The Market is also an opportunity for local organisations to raise funds including the Barkway Church, The 7th Royston Barkway Scout Group, School and Preschool. In 2023 over £17,750 was collectively raised by the Market and other organisations who supported it on the day!
At this year’s event, there will be over 180 stalls selling unique items ranging from antiques to bric-a-brac, artisan food & drink to homewares, garden wares to plants, clothing to jewellery, curiosities and more besides.
Entertainment will also be provided for all the family. Catering will include homemade sweet and savoury delights from Barkway Church as well as a food court with a licenced bar, fresh coffee and delicious food from local food vendors. And ice cream too!
There will be a small entrance fee of £4 for adult visitors (there is no charge for children 16 and under) and a suggested donation of £1 for car parking, which goes directly to Barkway Scouts who marshall the car park. Parking is provided for in adjoining fields.
Bookings are now open for stallholders – a link can be accessed via the website or for information, please email bookings@barkwaymarket.org
For more details about the Market, please visit www.barkwaymarket.org and also follow @barkwayvillagemarket on Facebook and @barkwaymarket on Instagram.
