For centuries, Masham has stood apart from the rest. Once governed by its own Peculier Court, the town has always had a streak of independence — a trait still felt today in its bustling marketplace, lively celebrations and eccentric characters of past and present.

Known for it’s larger than life medieval marketplace, surrounded by centuries old buildings that once bore heather thatch, this quaint Wensleydale town has a lot of stories to tell…

But if you ask anyone from the town, they’ll tell you it’s the people that live and work here that give it a personality all of its own. And that’s just what we did… So, if you’re keen to learn what makes Masham truly Peculier™, read on to hear from the locals themselves!

A town full of character(s)

Masham’s greatest secret? Its people. Step into any shop or café and you’ll quickly sense that the town is defined less by its buildings and more by the personalities who fill them.

“The characters who live here are so diverse. There isn’t a dull day!” says Mandy Abbott of No 12 Greengrocer.

That spirit of acceptance and individuality is what makes Masham tick. Alison James from The Curious Merchant puts it simply: “Its unpretentious and hardworking community is happy to accept everyone for their idiosyncrasies, making for a mix of very interesting characters.”

It’s a quality reflected in the town’s independent businesses, including a bakers, grocers and butchers that sell locally made, reared and grown produce. Not to mention a traditional sweet shop, three galleries, clothing and homeware shops, two breweries and a distillery!

A legacy of independence

The very word ‘Peculier’ hints at Masham’s unusual past. Once, a ‘peculier’ was a place that governed itself, separate from diocesan authority. Masham was one of these places — and it still behaves like one in many ways.

“It’s small but mighty – a town full of charm, character and centuries of tradition,” says Simon Theakston of Theakston Brewery, whose famous Old Peculier ale takes its name from this spirit of independence.

Stand in the marketplace and you can see how history has shaped the town. The vast square, one of the largest in England, once held up to 80,000 sheep a year at the height of the trade. Today, it remains the beating heart of Masham, playing host to a bi-weekly market.

The legacy of the Peculier Court also lingers. Although it no longer operates, a group called the Four and Twenty continues its work by funding apprenticeships — proof that Masham’s independent streak still has influence.

A place where heritage lives on

Masham’s centuries-old sheep trade hasn’t vanished either — it’s simply taken on a new form. At the annual Sheep Fair, the town swaps the bustle of buying and selling for sheepdog trials, woolly races and parades that nod to tradition while embracing the eccentric.

That same balance of respect and playfulness runs through its brewing heritage too. Theakston’s Old Peculier — dark, distinctive and tied to the town’s independent past — is now as much a badge of identity as the vast marketplace itself.

A town that celebrates its quirks

Ask a local what makes Masham special and the answer will most likely come with a smile and a story.

“The variety of activities, local quirky characters and fantastic array of independent shops that you just don’t get anywhere else,” say Tim & Maureen Simon of Uredale Glass.

That variety was on show during the recent Yorkshire Day celebrations, where the town staged everything from longsword dancing to a teddy bear zip wire. Plus, a re-enactment of the Court of the Peculier and even a reindeer parade.

Embrace the Peculier spirit

Masham isn’t just a place to visit — it’s a place to uncover. From its rebellious past to its eccentric present, every corner tells a story and every character adds a twist.

As Derek & Carol Harle of Spirit of Masham put it: “Masham isn’t just a place – it’s a personality.”

To understand it, you’ll need to walk through the marketplace, meet the locals and experience those quirks for yourself. That’s the real secret behind Masham’s Peculier charm.

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