Everything you need to know about visiting Alty Market

Last Updated on 22 February 2024 by Colette

Alty Market (also know as Altrincham Market) is a large, indoor and outdoor market in the centre of Altrincham with an adjoining indoor food hall. Alty Market is a modern market, selling vintage fashion, regional food and contemporary craft – you’re not getting cheap plastic tat or six for a £1 gas lighters (is that even a thing any more?!) from Altrincham Market. I love nothing better than a browse around the market – grabbing some freshly baked bread, a pie or two and some cake to take home before a leisurely brunch (because let’s face it, brunch is the best meal of the day!).

What day is Altrincham Market on?

The “Market House” at Alty Market (the indoor food hall) is open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-10pm and Sunday 9am-6pm – though it’s worth noting that not all the vendors are open within those hours – for example the last time I visited was on a Wednesday morning and I couldn’t get the breakfast burrito I’d been drooling over on instagram as that particular vendor didn’t open on a Wednesday morning, luckily my more recent visit was on a Friday and I was finally able to get my hands on it!

For Altrincham Market itself, the opening hours are Tuesday and Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday until 4pm. If you can, I definitely recommend visiting on a day when the market is open too as it’s lovely for a browse – there’s a range of stalls outside selling pies, artisan breads, cakes, vegetables, cheeses and then under the cover of the market you’ll find a variety of permanent and rotating traders selling posh dog treats, soaps, candles, jewellery, meat, bread, vintage clothing – there’s certainly plenty to have a look at! (Definitely pop down to the guy selling flowers and plants outside M&S too cause he’s really lovely!)

Do I need to download the Alty Market app?

Although you can go to each of the food vendors to order, I recommend downloading the app as this means you can really browse each of the menus and order from various vendors in one go.

Your food and drink will be brought to your table as and when it’s ready. Obviously this means if you order from different vendors your food might come before your drinks, or your friend’s food might be out quicker than yours – but really that’s no different to if you’d been and stood and ordered at each vendor. What I would say though is to get the app downloaded and set up ahead of time as the first time you use it, you will need to set up an account – you’ll also need your bank card as you can’t just use apple pay or google pay through the app.

Another top tip for using the Alty Market app is not to click through to your basket until you are ready to check out as, for some reason if you go to your basket and then go back to the menus, your basket will empty and you’ll have to start again. So, add everything to your basket first, if you make a mistake, don’t panic, you can remove it before you pay but just don’t try and do that in the middle of your order! The first time we used the Alty Market app I must have emptied our basket three times doing this – Dave was going mad with me!

Where to park for Alty Market

We tend to park at Stamford Quarter (WA14 1RH) which is a large, inexpensive, multi storey car park a short walk from Alty Market. You take a token on your way into the car park and then pay at the machines on your way back to the car which means you have plenty of flexibility and only pay for what you need. (I hate paying ahead for car parking and having to guess how long I need to be there or set limits on the day!)

Is Alty Market dog friendly?

Alty Market is dog friendly, we’ve taken Poppy a few times now and she’s never been the only dog there! The staff will provide your pup with a bowl of water. (And if it’s market day, there’s a lovely stall selling dog treats so we tend to go there first to pick up a few bits for her to enjoy while we’re eating our brunch!)

Is Altrincham Market a good place to go with kids?

Alty Market is probably not ideal for visiting with younger kids as I think you might struggle to find something they fancied eating – for my three who are aged between 8 and 12, and increasingly adventurous with their food, I think they’d really enjoy a trip to Alty Market but if I’m honest it’s somewhere I’d prefer to go with Dave or with friends. There are other places I’d take the kids to. That said, mid week you’ll often find groups of mums with babies enjoying a catch up!

Is Alty Market expensive?

Alty Market is proudly independent – you won’t find any big name brands or products on sale in this food hall. Of course whether something is expensive or not is subjective, but I personally don’t think the pricing at Alty Market is excessive. You’re always going to pay a little more for independent, artisan produce – but let’s face it, who would you rather be giving your money to – local independents or faceless corporations?

What else is there to do near Alty Market?

Alty Market is perfectly placed for a good mooch around the shops – there’s lots of lovely little independent stores to have a nose in as well as bigger brand names like Marks and Spencers or Boots. These aren’t huge stores so if you’re planning a shopping spree you’d probably be better off at the Trafford Centre or in Manchester city centre, but for a nose and a wander to pick up a few bits and pieces, Altrincham will see you right!

Can you book at Altrincham Market?

Alty Market currently don’t take bookings – it’s a turn up and hope for the best situation. Each time we’ve been to Altrincham Market it has been mid week and not overly busy so it hasn’t mattered that we’ve just turned up on a whim. I would suggest the earlier you go, the better as it can be quite busy by lunch time. (If you are there first thing, it can be quite cold so I recommend layers!)

What sort of food can you get at Alty Market?

Honest Crust do amazing pizzas, I’ve had those a few times. We love the Breakfast Burrito from Picos and I’m also a big fan of Batata Harra from Little Window (both of these are brunch options so not available all day).

What I do struggle for at Alty Market is a choice of cold drinks – often I’d quite like a Diet Coke with my meal but, being as how Alty Market is championing smaller, independent brands, you’re not going to get a brand name soft drinks. I’ve tended to plump for a Pago apple juice (£2.60) from Market House Coffee. I fully recommend the Liquorice & Blackcurrant Winter Warmer (£3) from Market House Coffee or the frozen margaritas (two for £13) from Picos are dangerously easy to drink!

Are Mackie Mayor and Alty Market linked?

Alty Market has a sister venue in Manchester city centre – Mackie Mayor – which we visited for the first time before Christmas. It’s right on the edge of the Northern Quarter so not necessarily very convenient unless you happen to park on that side of town like us! Mackie Mayor is in a Grade II listed building and part of the former Smithfield Market – the venue itself is gorgeous but I think we probably went a bit too early in the day as it was really quiet and lacked atmosphere – I definitely felt I preferred Alty Market of the two of them but perhaps I’ll reserve judgement till I’ve paid another visit.

Read these next:

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