Thirsk market square
Travellers' Choice 2026One room on the market square, full of homemade cake, and all of Thirsk still ahead of you.
From the kitchen
Butcher's sausage, Dalton bacon and Doreen's black pudding, with a free range egg and a hash brown.
Two pieces of traditional potato scone fried in butter, with crispy bacon and a fried egg.
Peppery beef pastrami, homemade slaw and chunky gherkins, toasted in local sourdough.
Meet the Reuben ↗Skin-on fries with paprika salt, smashed avocado, homemade salsa and red crunch cheese.
A warmed tea-soaked sultana scone, Fruity Kitchen strawberry jam, clotted cream, and tea or an americano.
Whatever came out of the oven this morning, on the counter.
On the square and nearby
On now · SeasonalCastle Howard: Pesky Pumpkin TrailFind the pumpkins hidden around the house, included in a house and garden ticket. Last entry 3pmOn now · SeasonalHalloween Trail at Thorp PerrowA Halloween trail through Thorp Perrow Arboretum near Bedale through half term to the first of November, at normal opening hoursOn now · SeasonalAutumn half-term cruises on the Ripon CanalRipon Scenic Cruises runs short autumn trips on the Ripon Canal from 24 October to 2 November, booked online
Around townChristmas FairDate not yet confirmedStalls in Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall on WestgateAround townChristmas lights switch-onDate not yet confirmedEntertainment from 5pm and the switch-on at 6.30pm, as listed by Thirsk Tourist Information on 31 October. The committee has not posted the times itself yetFrom the lunch menu
Pastrami, homemade slaw, Emmental and chunky gherkins between two thick slices of toasted local sourdough.
Rosa's story
In 2018 Rosa bought a 1967 Citroen H van, named her Henrietta, and spent two summers selling scones at Yorkshire festivals as The Rolling Scones. In 2019 she took on the old Arabica cafe at 87 Market Place, and Tea Time opened before the year was out.
Traditional afternoon tea
Finger sandwiches, a warm scone with jam and clotted cream, three of the day's cakes and as many hot drinks as you like, on vintage crockery.
Traditional Afternoon
Tea Time
24.9 per person
Minimum 2 guests · book any half hour from 12 to 3, or 12 to 2 on Sundays
Make a day of it
54 places worth your time, 18 of them close enough to walk. Load a ready-made day or build your own, check the weather, print it and go.
Tea Time in gold, and 18 places within a walk of the door. Tap a pin for the walk time.
Walk Thirsk's stories
The original twenty-stop walk passes Alf Wight's former surgery at 23 Kirkgate. A new plaque marks Rowardennan, the Sowerby family home where he wrote much of the James Herriot books. Choose the town circuit, the original twenty, or continue to the new stop.
Begin at the World of James Herriot museum, then follow the plaques at your own pace.
Visit
87 Market Place, Thirsk, YO7 1ET. Market days are Monday and Saturday, when the square fills with stalls. Dogs welcome; treats behind the counter.
Journal
Afternoon tea
A Christmas shopping day on Thirsk market square: the Saturday market, the gift and charity shops round the square, then afternoon tea at Tea Time, booked online from your phone.
Plan a day
November 2026 in Thirsk: two bonfire nights, Remembrance weekend at the Ritz and Rural Arts, the artisan market on the square, a Christmas cookery night in the Town Hall, and the lights on the 27th.
Plan a day
Thirsk's Christmas lights switch-on on the Market Place, listed for Friday 27 November at 6.30pm, with the Christmas Fair in the Town Hall that weekend. What we know so far.
On the socials
Today's bakes and specials, as they come out of the oven.