Today I had a very lovely day. My local area decided to provide me with lots of fun things to do, five minutes from my doorstep, so I decided to take it up on its offers, and go to The Treacle Market in Macclesfield, and the Craft, Food, & Gift Fair, at Gawsworth Hall!
Luckily the weather was good too, so we had a very pleasant morning, strolling from stall to stall, picking up a cupcake here, and a bottle of elderflower cordial there. The Treacle Market has grown into something quite fabulous, with live music, a huge variety of stalls, and local shop-keepers throwing open their doors on a Sunday.
At lunch-time we moved onto Gawsworth Hall, which is a beautiful setting, and the grounds were adorned with medieval tents and lots of bunting. I have to say, I was a little disappointed with the fair itself. You had to pay £3.50 to attend, which I was happy to do so, but I was less happy to notice that the fair had shrunk since last year – from 2 or 3 craft marquee’s & a food tent, to 1 craft marquee & a food tent – and that there were a lot more stalls which didn’t seem to display handmade goods, but bought in merchandise. However, there were still some really lovely pieces there, and it had a nice, busy atmosphere. My favourite thing of the day, however, was the archery in the medieval section. You could have a go – 6 arrows for £2.50, and as a life-long fan and admirer of Robin Hood, I was quick to snap up the chance. It was great fun, the people explaining it to you were lovely, and I even managed to hit the target!
What have you been up to this weekend?
While you think about it, why not head over to www.handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk & have a look at all the wonderful, crafty blogs!
I haven’t heard of the Treacle market, must find out more – sounds fab! I used to do the Gawsworth Hall fairs and I know there’s been a gradual downward turn on that one for years now (fewer marquees, fewer real crafts) which is a shame as it’s a beautiful setting, and makes a great day out with all the birds of prey and mediaeval village.
The Treacle Market is great, really worth a visit! I’m on the waiting list for stall at the moment, & can’t wait to have one 😀 I did a fair at Capesthorne Hall last October, which is run by the same people that run the Gawsworth Hall one, and I found that people were mainly buying the bought-in, mass produced stuff which was a shame.
Those cakes all look yummy…I’m rather hungry now!
I went to a craft fair and flower show this weekend. The craft fair part consisted of a bee keeper with his bees and honey and a lady with about 10 jars of jam and chutney…and a tombola!
They were fab – we bought far too many!
Wow, that’s a shame, hopefully you can find some larger, more varied craft fairs to visit 😀
The Treacle Market sounds and looks like great fun, thanks for sharing (although I might have preferred to share the cakes!)
It is great fun! There’s always so much going on, to look at, and try!
What a FUN looking fair! (And those cupcakes look worth dying for!)
I love the sound of the Treacle Market, it is such a great name! I think I would have to have had a go at the archery… but did you hit the stag and roast it for supper?
I think it was something to do with a barrel of treacle being spilt across the towns cobbles years and years ago… I think!
It must say something about me that i kept getting drawn towards the cake pictures. Looks like a fun weekend, shame the craft marquee disappointed.
I’m always drawn towards the cakes – hence all the pictures!
Looks like a lot of fun!
This sounds so fun, I don’t think we have anything like this. Love that giraffe, cannot tell what it was made of. The food looked especially good altho I’m sure none of it is anything I am allowed to eat. A girl can dream, however. 🙂
The giraffe was very impressive! I think it was made from painted plates of metal!
The Treacle Market sounds gorgeous – what fun. I am super envious of you having a go at archery – I’ve never tried before but would love to. And I agree with what others have said – those cakes looked delish!
The archery was amazing! It definitely made me want to take it up as a sport 🙂
Shame that the Gawsworth Hall event is shrinking. Sounds like you had a good time anyway. Loving the look of those cupcakes you photographed 🙂
Yeah, it was sad 😦 At least there was still plenty going on!