Market town mooches

Beverley

The Westwood is a stretch of open pasture in Beverley (Image: Danielrao)This thriving town really comes alive on Saturdays when markets bring their buzz with not one, but two market places - Wednesday Market at the south end of its main street, and Saturday Market at the north. Both spring to life when market stalls and pavement cafes jostle for space among the elegant Georgian buildings, most of them listed. Take a stroll to the lovely minster - where scenes for TV's Victoria were filmed, potter by the canal or head the green expanse, The Westwood.

Stokesley

Stokesley's famers market champions local growers (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)This is the stuff of real market town magic - Stokesley's market has been named Farmer's Market of the Year thanks to the quality of stalls and produce. Run by Northern Dales Farmers' Market which hand-picks its stallholders, so you can be sure you're buying from some of the very best food and drink producers in the country - all local small independent family businesses. The market is on the first Saturday of the month and on the third of the month there's also a Maker's Market. The town is perfect for a stroll by the River Leven with lots of coffee shops to stop at too.

northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com

Ryedale

Malton’s food markets are so legendary that the town’s been dubbed ‘Yorkshire’s Food Capital’, and while Kirkbymoorside might be Ryedale’s smallest market town, its weekly market - over 750 years old - is the liveliest (every Wednesday); Helmsley’s weekly market, nearly 900 years old, is on a Friday. Pickering’s Farmers’ Market is on the first Thursday in each month and the town’s weekly market is on a Monday. Hovingham village’s award-winning market is on the first Saturday of every month (except January). visitryedale.co.uk

Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge is a lively, community-minded place (Image: Copyright Kevin Gibson Photography Ltd)This lively town loves its artisans and loves to support local - it's also a smashing place to wander, grab a coffee and just take it easy. The Hebden Bridge Open Market has been a winner of Britain's Best Small Open Market and is a compact 40-stall market in Lees Yard, just off St George’s Square; surrounded by rambling countryside and nearby nature walks. Trading Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 9am – 4pm. Thursday: Fresh produce and general retail. Friday: Second hand goods. Saturday: Arts, crafts and artisan products. Sunday: Local produce and food. visitcalderdale.com