Yarm sits on a dramatic horseshoe bend of the River Tees, just south of Stockton-on-Tees. Its wide cobbled High Street has earned a devoted following among shoppers from across Teesside and North Yorkshire: a Georgian streetscape that still functions as a proper working market town.
- Location: Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, Tees Valley.
- Claim to fame: Voted Britain’s best high street in a 2007 BBC Breakfast poll.
- Annual fair: The Yarm Fair, held in October, carries a charter from 1207.
Independent retail is the backbone of Yarm’s appeal. Bookshops, womenswear boutiques, homeware stores and gift shops sit alongside covered arcades where smaller traders operate year-round. For an overview of independent towns across the UK, the Shopappy homepage is the place to start.
The High Street and Market
The High Street is unusually wide for a market town, giving it an almost continental feel on a bright morning. The Georgian and Victorian frontages, the cobbles underfoot, and the gentle curve as the road follows the river meander all reward a slow walk.
The weekly market has ancient roots: King John granted Yarm a charter for a weekly market and two annual fairs in 1207. The Yarm Fair, held every October, closes the High Street to traffic entirely, filling it with traditional rides and stalls in a custom that has run for over 700 years.
History and Landmarks
The Yarm Viaduct is hard to miss. Built between 1849 and 1851, it stretches 2,280 feet on 43 arches using an estimated seven million bricks. Designed for the Leeds Northern Railway, it remains one of the most striking pieces of Victorian engineering in the region.
At the centre of the High Street stands the Town Hall, a small Dutch-style building dating to 1710. The Grade II* listed Yarm Bridge over the Tees connects the High Street to Eaglescliffe and dates to the medieval period. Long before the Georgian era, Yarm was a working port: ropemakers, tanners, brewers and shipbuilders brought the town its early prosperity.
Making a Day of It
Start on the High Street in the morning while shops are at their quietest. Walk the arcades before heading down to the riverbank for a view back up at the viaduct. The riverside path along the Tees is flat and easy, taking around an hour at a comfortable pace.
Yarm sits within easy reach of several other well-regarded market towns. Shoppers heading further south may find the guide to Barnsley’s independent shops useful, while those travelling east will find solid options in the guide to Hull’s independent retail scene. Both have a distinct character worth exploring.
Is there parking in Yarm town centre?
Yes. Public car parks sit just off the High Street, and there is some on-street parking on side roads. The town fills up on market days and during the October fair, so arriving early helps.
When does the Yarm Fair take place?
Every October, usually the third week of the month. The fair closes the High Street to traffic and has been running in some form for more than 700 years.
What kind of shops are in Yarm?
The High Street is predominantly independent: bookshops, womenswear boutiques, homewares, gift shops and wine merchants. National chains do have a presence, but independent traders set the tone.