Make the most of Ay-Up Market with our walking maps

This Saturday is Ay-Up Market at both Sneinton Market Avenues and Old Market Square, and to help you navigate between the two sites, we've created a walking map to lead the way.

In addition, a few Creative Quarter staff have suggested some of the best independent shops, bars and food places to stop into on the way, so you can continue your odyssey supporting local businesses throughout the day.

HOW TO VIEW THE MAP

You can view the map below - click the icon in the top left-hand corner to slide open the menu with options to select the various routes. You can also open the map separately by clicking this link.

Scroll down this page to read more about the locations CQ staff have chosen and why they'll be choosing to stop off there on their way between Old Market Square and Sneinton Market Avenues.

Sinead's Ay-Up Market Route

Once I’ve checked out the entertainment on offer on Old Market Square, I’ll dip down the alleyway on Long Row to visit Five Leaves Bookshop and browse the latest titles, finding something to add to my already teetering “to be read” pile . Afterwards, I’ll head up Pelham Street and stop at the top in Cow for a rummage amongst the vintage gems, and a pint in Six Barrels over the road. Once I carry on down the hill through Hockley, I’ll reward myself with some samosas and bang bang cauliflower at Vi-va, then cross over Lower Parliament Street and enter the oasis of the Watered Garden on the hunt for a new houseplant (one that I hopefully won't kill this time). Then I'm ready to dive in and explore the sights and sounds of Sneinton Market Avenues.

Alex's Ay-Up Market Route

After spending WAY too long browsing the fantastic stalls in the Old Market Square, I’ll head to Pelham street, swinging left into Cobden Chambers to pick up a treat from Studio Chocolate (probably a chocolate brownie, I’ll stash it in my bag for later). On the way to the Sneinton side of the Ay-up Market, I’ll head down Hockley and try and work out how much bric-a-brac I can get away with buying from Sue Ryder’s vintage store. To balance the very grandma-like activity of spending all my money on antique cutlery and to make the most of a slice of afternoon sun, I’ll stop for a cheeky half pint at 31k. Feeling peckish, I dash to Sneinton Market, heading to the legendary Avenues café. Lucky me, I manage to order a veggie sausage cob just before they close for the afternoon. Prepping for round 2 of browsing the Ay-up market traders and makers along the avenues, I grab a quick matcha from Blend (and suddenly remember my brownie, stashed from earlier!) and spend the rest of the afternoon buying up all kinds of prints, trinkets and beautiful things to take home.

Nathan's Ay-Up Market Route

After checking out all the traders on Old Market Square, I’ll be taking an essential detour up Hurts Yard to visit Robs Records for a dig. Assuming I manage to find my way out of Rob’s, the next stop will be Jamcafé for a refreshing pint sat out in the sun on the Heathcoat Street. After accidentally ordering another pint, I trip and fall into Rough Trade opposite, forgetting all about the money I’ve just spent in Rob’s. Luckily it’s all downhill towards Sneinton Market Avenues, so carrying the haul isn’t too bad and before I know it I’m exploring more exciting traders and hang on – are those records for sale?

Georgia's Ay-Up Market Route

After a good mooch around the Old Market Square traders, I’ll take a wander up to the Fox Café on Pelham Street for a hot chocolate and a spot of people watching. My next stop would be down Carlton Street to White Rose (while peeking in the window of K.fines Jewellery – shiny things catch my eye…). It’s always good to have a look in charity shops as they often have hidden gems! Finally I’d take another pit stop in Cottonmouth for a treaty cocktail before ending down at Sneinton Market Avenues to check out their traders.