Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne

Market in Newcastle upon Tyne

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Christopher Down

In the heart of Newcastle's historic centre, Grainger Market and Grainger Street sit at the core of Grainger Town, where elegant 19th-century architecture meets everyday city life. Grainger Market began as a covered vegetable and meat market in the 1830s, designed by architect John Dobson as part of a sweeping redevelopment that replaced older markets on the site of what is now Grey Street. Today it remains one of the best places to visit in Newcastle upon Tyne for an atmospheric mix of fresh produce, independent traders, street food and quirky specialist stalls under a beautiful iron-and-glass roof.

Just outside, Grainger Street runs down towards Grey's Monument, lined with handsome sandstone buildings, shopfronts and arcades that showcase the vision of developer Richard Grainger, who reshaped the city centre between 1824 and 1841. Together, Grainger Market, Grainger Street and the wider Grainger Town district are a great place to visit on a walking tour of Newcastle upon Tyne, especially if you like your sightseeing to come with strong coffee, local snacks and a bit of people-watching.

History and Significance of the Grainger Market and Grainger Street
Things to See and Do in the Grainger Market and Grainger Street
How to Get to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street
Practical Tips on Visiting the Grainger Market and Grainger Street
Where to Stay close to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street
Is the Grainger Market and Grainger Street Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Grainger Market and Grainger Street
Nearby Attractions to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

History and Significance of the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

Grainger Market was conceived in the early 19th century as part of a bold plan to modernise Newcastle's city centre. The old markets that once crowded the site of Grey Street were cleared away, and architect John Dobson was tasked with creating a new, purpose-built covered market to serve as the city's main hub for meat, fruit and vegetables. The resulting structure, completed in the 1830s, combined practical stalls with airy, light-filled halls, reflecting contemporary ideas about hygiene, order and civic pride. Its Grade I listing today recognises both its architectural and historical importance.

The market took its name from Richard Grainger, the entrepreneurial developer behind much of Newcastle's 19th-century rebuilding. Between 1824 and 1841 he oversaw the creation of a coherent new city centre, with Grainger Street, Grey Street and a network of surrounding avenues forming a grand urban set-piece. Grainger Street, ending at Grey's Monument, became one of Newcastle's most attractive shopping streets, its regular façades and sweeping lines designed to impress visitors and locals alike.

Over time, the combination of Grainger Market and Grainger Street helped define what is now known as Grainger Town, a conservation area that preserves some of the finest classical townscape in Britain. While the mix of traders in the market has changed and modern brands have appeared on Grainger Street, the original vision of a bustling, well-planned commercial heart remains very much alive. Walking through today, you are treading the same lines that 19th-century shoppers once followed, even as the goods on offer have shifted from coal and cabbages to artisan bread and vintage vinyl.

Things to See and Do in the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

Inside Grainger Market, the pleasure lies in wandering the aisles and seeing what catches your eye. Remnants of the original layout, with a meat market once occupying one half and a vegetable market the other, can still be sensed in the way stalls cluster together, even as today's traders range from butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers to delis, cafés, sweet shops, clothing stalls and independent boutiques. The covered hall makes this a rewarding stop in all weathers, with shafts of light from the roof picking out the colours of displays and signage.

Keep an eye out for long-established businesses alongside newer arrivals; the mix of old and new is part of the market’s charm. You might find traditional pie shops, cobblers and hardware stalls sitting next to contemporary street food counters and speciality coffee spots. It is easy to build an informal food tour here, grazing your way from breakfast to lunch with a string of small purchases, and the prices are often friendlier than on the high street outside.

Once you have explored the market, step back out onto Grainger Street and the surrounding Grainger Town area. Here, the architecture takes centre stage: uniform terraces of sandstone buildings, elegant shopfronts and side lanes that invite detours. You can window-shop at big-name retailers, dip into arcades and side streets, or simply look up to admire the decorative details and rhythm of the façades. With Grey's Monument at one end and easy links to Grey Street, Eldon Square and the Theatre Royal, this is a natural spine for exploring central Newcastle on foot.

How to Get to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

If you are arriving from further afield, Newcastle International Airport is the main gateway, with frequent domestic and European flights and a direct Metro line into the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Newcastle upon Tyne on Booking.com. From the airport you can ride the Metro to Monument or Central Station and reach Grainger Market and Grainger Street with a short walk.

By train, you will arrive at Newcastle Central Station, which sits on the East Coast Main Line with fast services from London, Edinburgh, York, Leeds and other major cities.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, it is around a 10-minute walk up through Grainger Street towards Grey's Monument; you can also hop on the Metro for one stop to Monument if you prefer, but most visitors enjoy the straightforward walk through the heart of the city.

If you choose to drive, follow signs into Newcastle city centre and then towards Grainger Town, Grainger Street or Eldon Square, where several multi-storey car parks are within easy walking distance of the market. Once parked, everything in this area is best explored on foot, with Grainger Market, Grainger Street, Grey's Monument and surrounding attractions all close together.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

Suggested tips: Visit with an open mind and an empty stomach; start with a lap of the market to see what is on offer, then circle back to buy food, gifts or everyday essentials from your favourite stalls.
Best time to visit: Mornings are great for fresh produce and a more traditional market feel, while lunchtimes and early afternoons bring a livelier buzz around food counters and cafés.
Entrance fee: Free entry; you only pay for what you buy from individual traders.
Opening hours: Typically open Monday to Saturday during daytime hours, with most stalls closed on Sundays; individual traders’ hours may vary slightly.
How long to spend: Allow 1-2 hours for a relaxed wander through the market and along Grainger Street, longer if you plan to shop seriously or sit down for a meal.
Accessibility: Main entrances to the market and surrounding streets are at street level, with largely flat walkways, though some aisles can be narrow and busy at peak times; Grainger Street itself is straightforward for most visitors.
Facilities: Public toilets, cafés and seating areas are available in and around the market, while ATMs, shops and other services are plentiful in the neighbouring streets and shopping centres.
Photography tip: Capture the market's character by shooting along its central aisles, focusing on colourful displays and signage, then step outside to frame Grainger Street's façades leading up towards Grey's Monument.
Guided tours: Some city walking tours include Grainger Market and Grainger Town as key stops, offering extra context on Richard Grainger's redevelopment and the stories behind individual buildings and traders.
Nearby food options: Beyond the market’s own food stalls, you are surrounded by cafés, pubs and restaurants in Grainger Town, Eldon Square and along nearby Grey Street and High Bridge.

Where to Stay close to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

Staying close to Grainger Market and Grainger Street puts you at the heart of Newcastle's shopping, dining and theatre scene, with easy access to the Quayside and railway station. For a boutique base just a short stroll away, Grey Street Hotel combines stylish rooms with a prime location near the Theatre Royal and Grey's Monument. If you prefer a modern, good-value option tucked off High Bridge, Motel One Newcastle offers contemporary rooms within minutes of the market and main shopping streets. For those arriving by train who still want to be close to Grainger Town, Hampton by Hilton Newcastle sits opposite Central Station and keeps both the market and the rest of the city centre within easy walking distance.

Is the Grainger Market and Grainger Street Worth Visiting?

If you want to experience Newcastle at its most local and lively, Grainger Market and Grainger Street are absolutely worth visiting. They offer a blend of everyday life and historic setting that you simply do not get from modern shopping centres, with Grade I listed architecture, independent traders and a strong sense of community all under one roof and along one elegant street. Whether you are hunting for a quick bite, fresh ingredients, unusual gifts or just a feel for how the city ticks, this area delivers a memorable slice of Newcastle's character.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (11,311)

Grainger Market on Grainger St is a bustling, authentic market hall with over 80 stalls where you can buy fresh meat, fish, produce and vintage or home goods, grab international street food, coffee and snacks, and find services like watch-battery changes, clothing alterations and a brewery shop serving drinks you can enjoy with market food; visitors praise its lively, old-school character and variety, though some report occasional stall closures and onsite toilet access problems during building works.

W Wong

3 weeks ago

"It's a thriving, proper local market with something for everyone. It covers the staples of meat, veg and sundries, home essentials, but also manyBritish and international food options. Appreciate that you can change a watch battery or alter a garment. I even food a Weigh House! Traditionally, shoppers would go to the market weigh house to check they weren't cheated by the tradespeople. Today, I paid a small fee to be weighed. By the way, I found the best sausage rolls in Grainger Market...."

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Vincy Chen

3 months ago

"Loved wandering around Grainger Market! Such a lively place with so much character. From old-school butchers and bakeries to little cafés andinternational street food, there’s always something to explore. Ended up snacking my way through and even picked up some local goodies. It’s not fancy, but it feels authentic and full of charm – definitely a spot to experience the real Newcastle vibe...."

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Liam Morrison

a month ago

"A vibrant hub of activity with lots and lots of variety to choose from. We ducked in here to grab some lunch and was very surprised by how good thisplace was. Food and coffee stalls, butchers, greengrocers, fish mongers and everything inbetween. Would definitely recommend..."

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FAQs for Visiting Grainger Market and Grainger Street

You will find a mix of traditional stalls selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and baked goods alongside independent cafés, street food counters, clothing, gifts and specialist shops.

Grainger Market usually opens Monday to Saturday during the day, with most stalls closed on Sundays and public holidays, though exact hours can vary by trader.

Yes, families are very welcome; children often enjoy the bustle, colours and food options, though you may want to visit at quieter times if you are bringing a buggy.

Yes, from here it is a short walk to Grey’s Monument, the Theatre Royal, Grainger Town, Eldon Square and the downhill route towards the Quayside and the Tyne Bridges.

Nearby Attractions to the Grainger Market and Grainger Street

The Quayside: Head downhill to the River Tyne for iconic views of the bridges, historic riverside buildings and a lively run of bars, cafés and restaurants.
Grey's Monument: The 40-metre column honouring Earl Grey at the head of Grey Street, a popular meeting point with occasional open days for climbs to the top.
Theatre Royal: A Grade I listed 19th-century theatre on Grey Street, hosting a full programme of drama, musicals, opera, ballet and pantomimes.
Laing Art Gallery: A nearby gallery showcasing 18th-20th century British oil paintings, watercolours and decorative arts in a handsome historic building.
Newcastle Castle and Cathedral Church of St Nicholas: The city's medieval quarter, where you can explore the castle keep, cathedral and atmospheric streets just a short walk away.

The Grainger Market appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne!

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