Essex Market Towns | Braintree Street Market

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Braintree has been an Essex market town dating back to the 11th century! In the past the market would have sold things like livestock. In present times things are a little different! There’s a regular market that takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Usually on the last Saturday of each month is the Braintree Street Market. (Dates change over the Christmas period). On these days the normal traders are joined with a whole heap of additional stalls!

Braintree Street Market

The street market takes place between approximately 9am until 3.30pm. It’s best to arrive early in the day or around lunch time as some traders may start packing up a little earlier. Braintree’s High Street has recently been pedestrianised. This has now allowed additional space for stall holders and a safe area for people to enjoy the market.

Gifts & Homeware

Many of the stalls are from Essex small businesses selling a range of unique homemade items. Gifts and homeware are popular, with traders selling products such as: soaps, bath bombs, candles & wax melts, dog treats, clothes and toys. Shopping at the street market is a great way of supporting local businesses while being able to pick up unique ‘one-of-a-kind’ products!

Food & Drink Produce

As well as gifts and homemade, several stalls sell food produce. Some potential items on sale include: oils, cheese, honey, cakes, fudge, jams and chutney, local spirits and more! The was happy to find cider from Big Bear Cider, a local cider mill located in Stisted! It’s not currently available in any of the shops within Braintree town centre so it was great to see it being sold on the street market!

*Traders and products on sale are subject to change. They may not necessarily be the same stalls for every single street market. As expected in current climate, traders may have to drop out last minute too. The Braintree Street Market Instagram page is a great way to keep up to date with which traders will be attending and any last minute changes!*

Street Food

My favourite part of the Braintree Street Market has always been the food stalls! There are often some unique offerings that you can’t always find! For example, a few years back there was a chimney cake stall! These are pastry like cones that are cooked over coals and then covered in a topping or filled with chocolate etc. They are popular in Eastern European countries! Churros sometimes make an appearance too!

Another food stall that sometimes makes an appearance is Gourmet Yorkshire Wrap! These are essentially a roast dinner in a Yorkshire Pudding wrap and they are very tasty! I had the roast pork and apple which was also served with vegetables, gravy, stuffing and potatoes!

Braintree Christmas Market

Leading up to Christmas, there are usually additional street markets held. One for the town centre Christmas light switch on and then another couple for last minute Christmas shopping! Of course the 2020 markets were cancelled, however in 2019 there were over 100 traders! Many had Christmas themed items for sale and there was even a stall selling mulled wine.

For other Christmas Markets in Essex (including a traditional German Christmas Market!), check out: Christmas Shops and Christmas Markets in Essex 2021