Squeezing the best from the North East at Orange Pip Market, Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is now the place to be. You heard me. We have some great independent restaurants and shops that are bossing the high street. If you want something a little different from the usual, it's time to get yourself down to Middlesbrough and experience the new spots. Last month, a new event placed itself firmly in all local's diaries boasting amazing food, great music and an afternoon of drinking in the sunshine. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the first Orange Pip Market, but running every last Saturday of the month, I wasn't going to miss June's edition.

We got to Baker Street around 12pm when all the stalls were beginning to open. All the food vendors were already dishing up lunch for eager punters and we were not far off them in the queues. Orange Pip Market is very active on social media so I'd already had an idea of who was going to be there. Fat Hippo was high on my list for lunch with a burger on my mind as we wandered down the street.

I satisfied my craving with a cheeseburger, unfortunately, it wasn't as good as the one I've had from them before but it didn't put a damper on my day. I picked myself up a strawberry Bellini from the Nuthatch's stand (a trendy cocktail bar on Bedford St) to accompany my burger as we searched out a seat. Mum picked up a chicken shawarma which was filled with lots of delicious salad.

We also picked up some other bits to take home including cake from That Cake, scotch eggs from The Clucking Pig and the last two issues of Sunday Girl, a local fashion magazine. Finally, before we set off, we had a wander in a few shops and spotted a lovely lady doing henna tattoos. As I've never had henna before I fancied having it done on my hand. A few minutes later and I walked away with a beautiful intricate hand tattoo.

Overall the time we spent at Orange Pip Market was brilliant. The hustle and bustle of the day, filled with amazing food vendors was brilliant. I'm so keen for this market to grow and eventually take over Bedford Street as well, I think it would be brilliant bringing more and more people to our fabulous town!