Pickering
Shops and shopping in Pickering
Pickering is a proper working market town rather than a chain high street, well over a hundred independent businesses, a traditional Monday market, antiques and galleries tucked into historic buildings, and a strong food-shopping tradition that makes it the obvious place to stock up before a self-catering week on the moors.
The Market Place, the centre of Pickering's shopping and its Monday market.
The Monday market and beyond
The traditional street market runs every Monday in the Market Place, with stalls of local produce, crafts and antiques filling the centre of town. It is the day the town feels busiest and most itself. There is also a monthly farmers' market and a seasonal outdoor artisan market; dates vary, so check locally before planning a trip around them.
Independent shops
The Hidden Market, across the beck, is a large indoor emporium of gifts, homeware and antiques, a genuine Aladdin's cave to lose an hour in. The Beehive sells gifts, antiques and upcycled pieces, much of it made by local craftspeople. Pickering Book Tree is a lovely independent bookshop in the old wool shop on the Market Place, with art supplies and a programme of events. Sentier Boutique is an independent clothing boutique and The Curious Raven a quirky gift and clothing shop; Beckside Giftshop sits by the beck on Bridge Street, Brogues Gallery is an independent shoe shop on Birdgate, and Aladdins Cave on Smiddy Hill is a family shop of gifts, toys and collectables and gaming. Antique shops and small galleries are dotted through the town's historic buildings, worth simply wandering.
Food shopping
Pickering keeps a strong food tradition: several butchers, greengrocers and bakeries, delis, an organic farm shop, a chocolatier and a gelateria, and a refill and zero-waste store, The Old Weigh Library. Botham's of Whitby has its bakery shop on Park Street. Farm shops on the outskirts sell local seasonal produce, ideal for stocking up for a self-catering stay, or making up a picnic before heading out to Dalby Forest, the Hole of Horcum or the coast at Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. For eating out rather than in, see places to eat in Pickering.
Practical
Most shops cluster around the Market Place, Birdgate, Burgate, Bridge Street and Hungate, all within a few minutes' walk. There is a post office, banks and cash points in the centre, and Big Bear Bikes for bike repairs. Handy before a day's riding at Dalby. Town-centre pay-and-display parking at The Ropery, Vivis Lane and Eastgate is a short walk from the Market Place; see the getting-here section of the Pickering town guide for arriving by road, bus or steam train.
Shopping in Pickering: FAQs
When is Pickering market?
Pickering's traditional street market is held every Monday in the Market Place, with local produce, crafts and antiques. There is also a monthly farmers' market and a seasonal outdoor artisan market, check current dates locally.
Does Pickering have good independent shops?
Yes, Pickering is a working market town with well over a hundred independent businesses rather than a chain high street, including gift shops, antiques, a bookshop, boutiques, galleries and a strong run of food shops.
Is there a bookshop in Pickering?
Yes, Pickering Book Tree is an independent bookshop on the Market Place, in the old wool shop, which also sells art supplies and runs events.
Where can I buy local food in Pickering?
From the town's butchers, bakeries and delis, an organic farm shop, the Monday market and the farm shops on the outskirts. Botham's of Whitby has its bakery shop on Park Street, and there is a refill and zero-waste store, a chocolatier and a gelateria in town.