My husband John and I spent an unexpected week in Market Harborough after booking a last-minute trip to the UK for a family emergency. And when I say last-minute, I mean we booked a flight 1.5 days before departure. (Read that story here.)

Before the trip, I didn’t know a place called Market Harborough existed. And due to the nature of the trip, we had zero plans or expectations for each day. So basically, most of what we did was purely spontaneous or decided in the moment.

After spending six days in this charming, historic town, I can confidently confirm that it is worth a visit. You likely don’t need six days, but it is ideal for at least a day trip, if not two.

And now, for my recommendations — which I’ve broken into:

• Unique Things to See and Do
• Where to Shop Local
• Best Places to Eat

Unique Things to See and Do in Market Harborough

Old Grammar School and St. Dionysius Church

Built in 1614, the Old Grammar School is by far the most iconic landmark in the entire town. Besides looking like something out of a Shakespearean play, the first thing you’ll likely notice is that the school was built on stilts. Why? To provide a place for the local butter market.

Click here to learn more about the old school and its uses over the years.

Union Wharf Marina and Canal Walk

Did you know there is a canal system in the middle of England? Now you do.

In 1809, Market Harborough became one of many Midland towns connected by canal to allow for faster transportation of products. Today, Union Wharf Marina is filled with narrowboats, some available for rent and others docked by their owners.

From the marina, you can also walk along the canal for several miles. We found it to be a peaceful and beautiful path, and wished we would have discovered it sooner!

Day Trip to Diddly Squat Farm

About a week before this unexpected trip, we watched season 3 of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon with no idea we’d be in England a week later — let alone within driving distance of Diddly Squat Farm.

If you aren’t familiar with the show or the farm, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame, bought a farm in the Cotswolds region of England and now runs a small farm shop and food truck type eatery.

The drive from Market Harborough was just over 90 minutes one way, with a route that took us through the most picturesque countryside and old English towns.

We visited Diddly Squat Farm on a Friday afternoon and the line to get into the tiny farm shop was about a 45 minute wait. If you are a diehard fan, I say GO. It was a fun excursion and the burgers were delicious. But if you’re reading this and still have no idea who Jeremy Clarkson is, I recommend you watch Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon before you decide to add this to your itinerary.

Where to Shop Local in Market Harborough

Wherever I travel, I love buying unique items I can’t find at home — both for myself and as gifts for my family.

Market Harborough is ripe with independent retail shops that aren’t part of larger chain stores. I love that! Here are a few of my favorites:

The Eco Village

If local artisan goods are your thing, the Eco Village is the place for you. You’ll find all sorts of gifts and goodies made locally, as well as a cafe serving up vegan food. I’m not vegan, but I do have a nasty dairy intolerance that often has me gravitating toward vegan options when I eat out because I know they are dairy free.

Though I can’t speak to the food — other than dairy free chocolate (score!) — I did find the perfect gift items for a few family members.

Willow & Wild

This store was such a sweet find, with locally made jewelry, handbags, and scarves. I bought myself a tiny heart ring to remind me of the trip, and a gift for one of my sisters.

Church Street Antiques, Home & Gifts

If you love antique shopping as much as I do, this shop is a MUST. Check out the first and third floors for old British finds, and the second floor for contemporary home goods — some locally made.

I antiqued my heart out and came home with a tiny, vintage double decker bus and a refurbished leather handbag.

Thrift Stores

Along the main street of town, I popped into several thrift stores. While I didn’t purchase anything, I do appreciate a good thrift. Had I been looking for clothing, I probably would have left with one or two pieces.

To all my fellow thrifters, you’ll find a few spots to treasure hunt in Market Harborough!

Best Places to Eat in Market Harborough

And now, what I’m sure you’ve been waiting for… the food.

This is not an exhaustive list of everywhere we ate. Only our favorite spots made the cut.

The Three Swans Hotel & Restaurant

We enjoyed a lunch and a dinner at The Three Swans, if that tells you anything. While the menu isn’t large, each dish is unique and we still had a hard time choosing what to order. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few dairy free options, too!

Fun fact: The Three Swans began over 500 years ago as a coaching inn!

Delight Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant

Delight is aptly named. We also ate here twice and ordered something different each time. If you enjoy authentic Turkish and Mediterranean food, the menu won’t disappoint! The staff were very accommodating as well — especially with my dairy free requests.

Zizzi’s Italian Restaurant

We ate dinner at Zizzi’s one night and it really hit the spot! I ordered their award-winning vegan lasagna and was so impressed with the faux cheesy flavor. Plus, the service was fantastic.

Louisa’s Place

On our way back from the Eco Village, we decided to grab lunch at Louisa’s. The menu on the outside of the door looked interesting — with dairy free options, of course — and it was equally delicious. I ordered a bagel sandwich and the flavors really wowed me. I even tried pepper jelly (aka. chili jam) for the first time and who would’ve thought it’d taste so good on a bagel with hummus and veggies?!

If you’re planning a trip to the Midlands UK, I hope you to add Market Harborough to your itinerary. And I hope my recommendations help you enjoy it to the fullest — whether you stay a day or a week.