Between Sheffield And Northampton Is A Market Town With Quiet Charm, Local Eats, And A Historic Town Center

Hidden among the verdant, rolling hills of the East Midlands is a historic market town whose quiet atmosphere hides a fantastic dining scene and lovely nature walks. Located between Sheffield and Northampton, Bingham has been populated since at least the 11th century. With its right to hold a market granted in 1314, it soon became one of the area's renowned market towns (famous for its hogs, specifically). After a long hiatus, the market was revived in 1975, and now, this weekly event brings together locals and visitors alike in Bingham's center, which is lined with buildings spanning from the 13th through the early 20th centuries.

With over 25 listed buildings, Bingham is a history and architecture buff's dream. The town's original parish church, St Mary and All Saints, dates back to the 1200s and was completed in 1320. It's a fascinating site with 16th- and 17th-century bells and restorations completed in the 1840s, offering a vision of Bingham through the centuries. The marketplace is centered around an impressive 19th-century octagonal Gothic revival cross, known as the Buttercross. You'll find Georgian, Victorian, and other historic buildings between the church and the market square, as well as lining Long Acre, the town's main thoroughfare.

These areas are where you'll find the cafes, pubs, and restaurants that have transformed Bingham from a quiet town with limited options into a top-rated culinary destination. That peaceful atmosphere still remains, thanks to the surrounding countryside and strong sense of community that makes the town feel welcoming and charming. You can see that best by visiting the local and independent businesses bringing modern fare to historic buildings around town. Contemporary gastropubs, Cantonese restaurants, and quality coffeehouses add character to Bingham's centuries-old town center.

England is filled with historic and laid-back market towns with tasty eats, so what sets Bingham apart? For many, it's the community, which is most obvious in its food scene. The Bingham market is every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (it may end earlier depending on the weather), offering local produce, crafts, and home goods in its historic location. Every third Saturday, the square hosts a farmer's market, with a range of artisanal products.

Many are interested in finding unique places to eat while on vacation. Bingham makes it easy, as its dining options let you taste the area's flavors without having to search too hard. Most restaurants are locally owned and work with suppliers and traders in the area to give back to the town and generate business. It's why Bingham feels as though it has a strong identity and warm energy, as it favors community over competition. So, enjoy the taste of Bingham in places like the highly-rated local favorite Circle Eatery or Number Sixteen, a hearty breakfast and lunch spot on the square.

With 4.8 stars on Google Maps, Yeung Sing is beloved by residents and visitors alike. Offering delicious Cantonese food in a 1920s Shanghai-style interior, Yeung Sing is Bingham's oldest restaurant with over 35 years of business. It's not the only 4.8-star spot in town, though. Just a few blocks away is Butler's Coffee House, located in an old butcher shop. The butcher's marble countertop remains, where you can pick up your perfectly made matcha latte, blondie, or sausage roll (there are vegan and vegetarian options too). Wheatsheaf is a contemporary gastropub and B&B in an 18th-century building. It's a local fixture of Bingham's pub scene thanks to its cozy atmosphere of flagstone floors and roaring fires.

It's not all about the food in Bingham. The historic town offers access to lovely walks that combine the town's history with nature. The 2.25-mile Station Walk loop begins at the 1857 Bingham train station and takes you to places like a deserted medieval village that's now a playground (its foundations are visible only from above). You'll pass by historic sites like St Marys and All Saints Church and finish the walk at the original 1879 station master's house, which still has its old chimney stacks.

Bingham Linear Park is a nature preserve that developed around the 19th-century railway that once ran through the town. Abandoned in 1962, the tracks and surrounding area have since been turned over to nature, making this a uniquely wild location in a place that's more defined by cultivated agricultural land. Friends of Bingham Linear Park is a local organization that leads groups of volunteers to maintain the park from October to March. From April to September, they take surveys and observe changes in the park. Every third Sunday, you can join them in conducting a survey of the birds and butterflies of Bingham Linear Park.

Bingham is about an hour and 20 minutes by car from Sheffield and the same distance from Northampton. Its historic train station is still in use, as it's on the Nottingham-Skegness line. In fact, it's just a 15-minute train ride to Nottingham, England's most underrated city filled with great food and fascinating history. Those looking to fly in can book a flight to East Midlands Airport (EMA), the closest hub serving international and domestic locations, about a 40-minute drive away.