Craft and Gift Market at Piccadilly Gardens

The Flower and Real Food Markets on the edge of Piccadilly Gardens have transformed this once dull stretch of paving stones into a delightful diversion for weekend shoppers. Over the next month or so, there will be even more reasons to step out of the Market Street rush, with a weekend Craft and Gift Market at the Gardens during April and May.

Creative wares will include Nepalese clothing, hand-made greetings cards, and beautiful bath products and soaps.

Each weekend will see different stalls with creative wares including Nepalese clothing, hand-made greetings cards, beautiful bath products and soaps, photography, gifts, jewellery and fashion, it'll be a browsers' paradise. If you're looking for a special gift and are stuck for ideas, this place is bound to provide some inspiration.

It's also a good bet if you're feeling peckish as there will be a great selection of food stalls selling treats such as freshly cooked paella, sweet and savoury crepes, and even ostrich and kangaroo burgers for the more adventurous. Cake fans should head to the Cupcake Palace stall for intricately prepared iced delights sprinkled with edible glitter, chocolate buttons and sweets.

The Craft and Gift traders will be joined by the Real Food Market on two of the weekends (9th/10th April and 7th/8th May) bringing their farm produce, and lots more.

Other markets coming up this spring include the French Markets (15 to 18 April, St Ann’s Square, 10am until 6pm, and 16 and 17 April, Chorlton, 10am until 5pm), the St George’s Day Market (Friday 23 April until Sunday 25 April, Piccadilly Gardens, 10am until 5.30pm) and the ever-growing Spring Markets (20 May until 6 June, St Ann’s Square and New Cathedral Street, 10am until 6pm).

The Craft and Gift Market will be open on 9th/10th April, 16th/17th April, 30th April/1st May and the 7th/8th May, from 10am to 5.30pm, at Piccadilly Gardens.