Northampton Market Sqaure

 marketplace  Add category

 Upload a photo

Northampton's Market Square is one of the largest in Europe. The first market was held on what is now the square in 1235, follwing the ban on the sale of goods in the All Saints churchyard by King Henry III.

Up until 1873 livestock was sold at the market until a purpose-built cattle market opened. Regular market days are Wednesday and Saturday, although many stallholders - particularly those selling fruit and vegetables - have their stalls open most days.

The market has also been the site of many public gatherings and events. It was a regular place to hear political speakers in the late part of the 18th and early part of the 20th centuries.

It is said with good authority that there are tunnels beneath the Market Square, some of which link to government buildings such as The Guildhall. Speculation about the original purposes of these tunnels is rife, but 'secret escape routes' is probably the most favoured.

The Market Square had always boasted a monument in the centre, the last being a superb Victorian Fountain, erected in 1863. This was removed in 1962, sdaly, as it had been repeatedly vandalised.

For a 360 picture view of the market visit the BBC website below
www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/panoramas/northa...