Congleton Makers Market
Market Location

Congleton Makers Market

Located in Congleton, Cheshire.

Congleton Makers Market takes place on Bridge Street in the centre of this compact and characterful Cheshire market town, bringing The Makers Market's monthly programme of artisan traders, food producers and live music to one of east Cheshire's most community-minded town centres. It's a market that suits Congleton well — an independent, locally grounded event for a town with a strong community identity and a pride in its market tradition.

Expect handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles, homeware, gifts and art alongside artisan food and drink — local bakers, hot food traders, speciality preserves and small-batch produce from makers across Cheshire and the wider region. Live music runs throughout the market day, giving Bridge Street a warm and animated atmosphere that draws people in from across the town and beyond.

Free to attend monthly in Congleton, the market is accessible by rail from Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent. The surrounding countryside — the Peak District foothills to the east, the Cheshire Plain to the west — makes Congleton a practical base for a day that combines the market with time in the wider landscape.

Make a day of it, indie style

Independent businesses near Congleton worth knowing about before or after the market.

Sienna's Photo: James Braddock
Café
Sienna's
4.8(286)
🕐 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

An outstanding independent café on Congleton High Street earning exceptional reviews for its nduja eggs, tater tot breakfast bowls, French toast and specialty coffee. The owners are welcoming, the coffee blend is exceptional and the Saturday atmosphere is always warm and buzzing. Open from 8am on Saturdays. One of the best café discoveries in Cheshire.

“Great place for food. The ‘Nduja and eggs are amazing. I added bacon to mine. The staff are so friendly and the place is just so relaxed.”
Ryan Keeling
📍 3 High Street, Congleton
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Bear Grills Café Photo: Bear Grills Cafe
Café ££
Bear Grills Café
4.5(236)
🕐 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

A popular weekend breakfast café on Market Street with an excellent haggis option, generous portions, fast service and a consistently praised atmosphere. Open from 8:30am on Saturdays — a reliable and well-regarded Congleton institution for market day breakfasts.

“As always this cafe is amazing the staff are helpful and polite. Food is just cracking. We had family come up from London over the weekend last week. They needed a proper breakfast and we called you to see if you could accommodate 14 people to which you did with ease. Reserving us tables with an ...”
Rose
📍 Market Street, Congleton
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Higher Ground Café & Bar Photo: Caitlin Broadhurst
Café
Higher Ground Café & Bar
4.5(237)
🕐 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

A cosy and polished café and bar on Congleton High Street with an excellent all-day brunch menu — the vanilla matcha latte, banana pancakes, flat burgers and cherry almond porridge are all praised. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, good draught ales alongside the coffee. Open from 10am on Saturdays.

“What a gorgeous place. Epic food with the most delicious selection of dishes. The staff are so friendly and efficient and the interiors are cozy, cool and relaxed. 5 stars and can't wait to come back to try more.”
liz moore
📍 56 High Street, Congleton
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About this area

Congleton is a market town in Cheshire East, set on the River Dane at the western edge of the Peak District foothills. The town has a long market tradition dating back to its medieval charter, and its compact town centre retains a genuine market character. The town is surrounded by rolling Cheshire countryside, with the Peak District National Park beginning just a few miles to the east.

Macclesfield Forest, Tegg's Nose Country Park and the Gritstone Trail long-distance walking route are all within easy reach of the town, making Congleton a popular base for outdoor activities in the eastern Cheshire area. The nearby village of Astbury — with its exceptional medieval church — is a short drive away.

Congleton is served by rail on the Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester Piccadilly line, with regular services giving the town good connections to both cities. The town is within easy driving distance of the southern Peak District, the Cheshire market towns and the Potteries region of North Staffordshire.

Places to go, see and play

Jodrell Bank Observatory Photo: Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement
Attraction
Jodrell Bank Observatory
4.6(3,208)
🕐 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

A UNESCO World Heritage Site around fifteen minutes from Sandbach, home to the iconic 76-metre Lovell Telescope — the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world. The visitor centre tells the story of radio astronomy and the universe through excellent interactive exhibits. Open daily, entry charge applies. One of the most extraordinary science destinations in the UK.

“We had a really lovely experience at Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement. It’s a fantastic place to visit with children. There is an indoor museum, activity room as well as playgrounds, so it works well even if the weather isn’t great. The Dome cinema was a real highlight — the film was exc...”
Zhuzhu
📍 Macclesfield Road, Macclesfield
Macclesfield Forest Photo: Arkadiusz Kwiatkowski
Attraction
Macclesfield Forest
4.8(152)

A beautiful reservoir-studded forest on the edge of the Peak District, around fifteen minutes from Congleton. The forest trails connect Ridgegate, Trentabank and Bottoms reservoirs through mature woodland and open moorland. Dog-friendly, free to visit and open year-round. A superb post-market walk with views across the Peak District escarpment.

“Just about the worst place to bring a dog is the Peak District so thank goodness for Macc Forest where dogs can run free. Don’t miss the stunning views across the reservoir from the top which is a vertiginous clamber. A lovely afternoon out.”
Alison Medd
📍 Forest Chapel Road, Macclesfield

Places to eat, drink and party

Orso Lounge Photo: Aaron
Bar
Orso Lounge
4.5(82)
🕐 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

A beautifully designed Loungers venue on Bridge Street at the heart of Congleton, open from 9am on Saturdays with a broad menu of brunch plates, lamb kofte flatbreads, burgers, cocktails and an extensive non-alcoholic drinks list. Praised for warm service, a visually striking interior and good value. Part of the Loungers group.

“My wife and I visited Orso Lounge today and it absolutely lived up to its “home away from home” reputation. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff were genuinely friendly and attentive throughout our visit. I had a coffee followed by the lamb kofte on flatbread, which was full o...”
Dazzerman123
📍 14-16 Bridge Street, Congleton
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Places to Stay near Congleton

Make a weekend of it — find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses close to this market.