Guide to the best of the Durham Indoor Market: How to live like a local

Saturdays are a great time to be a Durham student. The weekend Outdoor Market offers the kind of bustling atmosphere that makes a small city feel cosmopolitan.

But hidden away in the square is the city’s best kept secret, open every day and all year. For locals, it’s a staple on a weekday errand route. For students, it’s one of Durham’s most underrated resources. Here are a final year student’s recommendations for what the Durham Indoor Market has to offer.

For the foodies

Via durhammarkets.co.uk

Durham City Fruiterers

Put that half-wilted bag of basil back on the Tesco shelf. Durham City Fruiterers has produce as it’s meant to be: high quality, ethically sourced, and affordable for all weekly shop budgets. Their bulk herbs are a godsend for anyone who cooks, treating my student purse with kindness as well as staying fresher for far longer than anything found under fluorescent lights. Add to that the warmth of the people behind the stall and the satisfaction of sourcing responsibly, and you have more than just a weekly shop – you have a routine ritual.

Via durhammarkets.co.uk

Market Cheese & Deli

Students joke about spending too much money on pints; I confess I spend mine here on cheese. Whether you’re hosting a wine-and-cheese night with friends, looking to elevate that staple pasta dish, or simply craving a little triple-cream indulgence, Market Cheese & Deli is waiting for you. Cheesemongers of the Northeast rejoice! There’s something on offer for every palate, from British basics to crumbly chèvres to imported infusions – and everything in between.

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Via durhammarkets.co.uk

IK Fish

Durham isn’t exactly coastal, but walk a few steps into the Market Hall and you’ll find a proper fishmonger in IK Fish. For anyone who enjoys cooking – or wants to dip their toe in – this stall is a game changer. Think mighty King Prawns, mussels and fresh fillets guaranteed to elevate your weekly shop. I once bought some beautiful prawns here and made a meal fit for celebrating my final formative of Michaelmas – and it all started with the quality of the ingredients. With IK Fish, every student dinner can prove to be a winner.

For the mediaphiles

Via durhammarkets.co.uk

The Record Shed

Probably the most frequented Indoor Market shop by students – and for good reason – The Record Shed is your place for both the mainstream and the niche. I’ve picked up everything from Avril Lavigne to Chet Baker, and even a rare live album of The Jam. The owner knows his music inside and out, and it certainly reflects in the careful curation of the shop’s catalogue. Even if you’re not a die-hard collector, there’s something special about flipping through records in person – a reminder that music can be tactile, social, and slow.

Via durhammarkets.co.uk

Music Box

Physical media enthusiasts can take a break from Cex to instead peruse the quaint collection of Music Box. Rows upon rows of discs remind you of the joy of owning media you can actually hold, instead of scrolling endlessly on Spotify or Netflix. I’ve considerably built my own CD and DVD collection here, piece by piece, and every purchase feels intentional. There’s something special about choosing what you consume, rather than passively streaming.

Via durhammarkets.co.uk

The Guitar Loft

Not your average string and capo stock-up shop – Guitar Loft is a community space for musicians as well as a music store. Along with a broad range of gear, they also offer lessons, making it the perfect place to take up an instrument during this new chapter of your life. Whether you’re already a seasoned player or just flirting with the idea of learning, there’s no doubt this is a great resource hidden away in the alleys of Durham City Centre.

For everyone

Of course the Outdoor Market should be on your fresher bucket list. Saturday brings something to look forward to every weekend in the form of sizzling food stalls, racks of vintage outerwear, and one-of-a-kind original art pieces. It’s a Durham rite of passage to go arm-in-arm with a mate, coffee and cash in hand.

But the Indoor Market has its own magic, the sort found in the everyday. It’s a reminder that Durham, for all its postcard charm, is also a city where small businesses thrive. A place where each stall embodies what makes the Indoor Market special: independent, welcoming, and full of character.

As freshers, you’ll be told to club at Klute, to row on the Wear, to eat at Flat White. All good advice. But here’s mine: wander into the Indoor Market in your first term, not your last. Chat to the stallholders. Pick up figs, fish, or a Fleetwood Mac. Sign up for guitar lessons. Because the Indoor Market Hall is a place to shop as much as it is a hub to connect, to explore, and to make Durham feel that much more like a home away from home.

Featured image via durhammarkets.co.uk

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