The Custard Factory Flea Market

The site of this once abandoned custard factory is now home to a new inner city community in the centre of Birmingham, West Midlands, which holds its one-of-a-kind flea market on weekends. The factory was built around 100 years ago but was abandoned when Birds Custard relocated to Banbury.

It then stood derelict until the early 1990s, and has now been transformed into a thriving and diverse community, housing some of Birmingham's finest creative talent.

Musicians, media companies, artists and craftspeople have flocked to set up studios, workshops, shops and offices here, and the neighbourhood now houses around 500 independent artists and small businesses.

There is a strong musical emphasis to this market, with stalls devoted to instruments and vintage vinyl.

The variety of free entertainment available makes this an ideal day out for the whole family - with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, join in with dance lessons or take part in a bungee jump!

Live musicians play sets of everything from jazz to soul to reggae, creating a relaxed, laid back vibe perfect for lazy weekends, browsing the goods on offer, perhaps pausing over a coffee and watching the world go by, or even enjoying a traditional Sunday roast and a pint.  

Facilities in and around the market include fine dining restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cafes, alternative therapists, art galleries and a skate board ramp!

There flea market itself boats over 50 stalls selling a wide variety of goods including home made sweets, deli-style treats, vintage records, antiques, paintings, hand-made jewellery, Bric-a-Brac, locally caught fish, unusual trinkets and much more.

Opening Times: The market is open from 11am-5pm every Saturday and Sunday.

Getting there: The Custard Factory flea market is located a quarter of a mile from Birmingham City Centre, on Gibb Street, Digbeth - only a few hundred metres from The Bull Ring, Birmingham's largest and most prestigious shopping and leisure centre. Therefore, the area is extremely well served with frequent buses and ample free parking - both on street and in the multi-storey car parks of The Bull Ring.