Complete Guide to Market Harborough
Market Harborough is a charming Leicestershire market town with 800 years of history, offering boutique shopping, excellent cuisine, and rich cultural experiences. We’re lucky to be based in this beautiful town’s marina, known as Union Wharf. This will be your start and end point on any Union Wharf Narrowboats holiday, so we’ve assembled a complete guide to Market Harborough.
How to get to Market Harborough
Market Harborough lies in south-east Leicestershire (close to the Northamptonshire border), in the scenic Welland Valley. Visiting us by train is easy. Market Harborough railway station lies on the Midland Main Line, with direct services north to places like Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield, and south to London and beyond. You can reach Market Harborough from London St Pancras in an hour. The station is a 10-15 minute walk from the town centre.
Market Harborough is easily accessible by car, with good links to the A6 and M1. We provide free short or long-stay parking for any Union Wharf Narrowboats visitors who arrive by car. Once in town, the attractions, shops, and historic centre are all within walking distance. Market Harborough’s accessibility makes it the perfect day trip or short-break destination from London or the Midlands.
The history of Market Harborough
Market Harborough has a rich and unique history, and it has retained much of this traditional charm today. Founded in the 12th century as a market settlement, it grew around a busy crossroads where merchants, farmers, and travellers gathered to trade. Its very name reflects this heritage: a “harborough” was a place of refuge or shelter, and the weekly market quickly became one of the most important in the region.
The town flourished through the medieval period. The iconic timber-framed Old Grammar School, built in 1614 on stilts above the old butter market, remains one of the most photographed landmarks in Leicestershire. Nearby, the ancient St Dionysius Church, with its striking spire, has watched over the town for centuries.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Market Harborough had become a bustling coaching stop on the route between London and the north. The arrival of the railway only strengthened its position as a thriving regional centre, and it remains today a vibrant hub of history and culture.
Things to do and see in Market Harborough
Before or after you explore the stunning Midlands canals with Union Wharf Narrowboats, take a wander through the picturesque town of Market Harborough. Visit the iconic Old Grammar School, St Dionysius’ Church, and Harborough Museum and Theatre, all of which form the town’s quaint Cultural Quarter.
It wouldn’t be Market Harborough without its market: indoor market stalls and a periodic farmers’ and artisans’ market offer fresh produce, local crafts, antiques, clothes, books and more. The town centre also has a wide range of independent boutiques, craft shops, and cafes – more on this below.
Visit Welland Park for river walkways, a rose and sensory garden, a children’s playground, tennis courts, a skate park, table tennis, and a café – it’s perfect for gentle strolls or picnics. If you’re up for a longer walk, follow old railway line paths like the one towards Brampton Valley for some stunning natural scenery.
Hire a day boat with us from the stunning Union Wharf marina, and gently cruise up the Grand Union Canal to the nearby Foxton Locks for a day of waterways adventure, wildlife spotting, and canalside pubs. Visit our Day Boats page for more information and to book your trip.
Where to eat and drink in Market Harborough
Market Harborough is teeming with quality places to eat and drink. If you’re after a bite to eat right by our moorings, visit The Waterfront – in the colder months, you’ll find they have pretty igloos outside for seating. For exquisite seafood dishes, try Rocksalt Bistro or The Cods Scallops. If you fancy a different cuisine, you’ll be well served at Avatar Lounge, Rio Bravo, or Casa Nostra. For Market Harborough’s finest dining, book a table at Ascough’s Bistro.
If you’re seeking cafes, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Market Harborough. Milo’s Café, only a five-minute walk from Union Wharf, offers delicious cakes and sandwiches in a cosy setting. Aldwinkles Café is a hidden gem for coffee and sweet treats, and the Settling Rooms is a unique eatery set within the landmark clock tower. If you’re after something healthy, check out the Two Old Goats, or if you want to experience the tiniest bakery, visit The Garage Bakehouse.
The Three Swans is perfect for light bites and drinks, with window seats overlooking the main street. Mercado Lounge is a town favourite, serving breakfast, lunch, bar food, and everything in between – it stays open late, providing a relaxed atmosphere for cocktails. Sample the wine list surrounded by fabulous décor at Fernie Hall, or test real ales and local craft beers at Beerhouse.
There are so many wonderful places to eat and drink in Market Harborough, and our team are always happy to provide recommendations tailored to your needs.
Shopping in Market Harborough
While Market Harborough hosts plenty of big names, it’s also a haven for independent boutiques and unique stalls that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. After you’ve enjoyed your narrowboat holiday with Union Wharf, head into town for some incredible shopping, including Britain’s Best Small Indoor Market.
Visit the wonderfully old-fashioned Frank Gilbert for teetering piles of kitchenware, crockery, ironmongery, polish and every kind of houseware imaginable. For stylish homeware, check out Bagel & Griff or In Heaven at Home. If you’re after gifts or a browse, there’s a quirky independent bookshop called Quinn’s, or women’s designer clothing at BeBooted. EcoVillage is an impressive collection of small independent businesses, all with an eco-theme and a focus on sustainable shopping.
Our favourite recommendation, however, is simply to have a wander around town and see what takes your fancy – we’re certain you’ll uncover some hidden gems.