Kirkby Lonsdale has had a Charter Market since 1227. The setting is the town’s main Square, overlooked by the imposing front aspect of the Royal Hotel, an 18th Century listed building, made famous by a visit by Queen Adelaide in 1840, which led to a name change – for a time at least.

The Market Square is surrounded by a complex of interesting buildings, old and not-so-old. The Thursday market attracts visitors and local people alike with its range of stalls offering everything from meat, fruit and veg to souvenirs, bakery, plants and clothing.

The market is now managed by the town council who re-launched it in April, 2012, with the co-operation of traders old and new. Because market traders by their very nature come and go at will, visitors can expect to find a slightly different range of goods on offer each time they visit. Which means that visitors will have a different experience each time they ‘come to market.’

There are other markets in and around the Lune Valley. Sebergh is only half-an-hour away. Wednesdays see their market open from 8.30am (www.sedbergh.org.uk/shops/market).

Kendal – half-an-hour in the opposite direction towards the Lake District – holds its markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visit http://www.localmarkets.org.uk/search-by-county/83-cumbria/747-kendal-market-cumbria for more details.