Penkridge Victorian Market has been going for donkey’s years — long enough that no one seems entirely sure when it actually started. What we can say is that it’s hugely popular. Thousands turn up, and only a small fraction of them are wearing anything even vaguely Victorian. The rest of us turn up in normal coats, grab a mulled wine, and pretend that a vape is historically accurate. It’s on once a year and you have to pay to get in. Which I kind of guess makes it special. Despite the name, the market isn’t especially Victorian. You’ll find a few bonnets and top hats, but most of the stalls are modern, cheerful, and delightfully random. In fact, in my video you’ll spot a few items of clothing that Queen Victoria definitely wouldn’t have approved of — unless she had a secret sense of humour. So why visit? Because it’s fun. Penkridge puts on a cracking community event: music, stalls, food, laughter, a bit of organised chaos, and enough festive spirit to keep Staffordshire glowing. It’s the sort of thing where you start by saying “I’ll only stay half an hour” and somehow end up three hours later with a bag of fudge and a woolly hat you don’t remember buying. If you like lively crowds, Christmas lights, questionable fancy dress, and a good wander, Penkridge Victorian Market is well worth the trip. Enjoy the video — and don’t blame me for the rude clothes.
