Market town

What is a Market Town?

A market town is a special kind of settlement. Long ago, during the Middle Ages, these towns were given special permission to hold markets. This permission, called a market right, might come from old traditions or a special paper called a royal charter.

Why Are Market Towns Special?

Market towns were different from small villages and big cities. They could hold regular markets where people could buy and sell things. Many towns in Great Britain still have “Market” in their names, like Downham Market, Market Rasen, and Market Drayton.

Where Did Markets Happen?

In the past, markets were often held outdoors in open spaces called the market square or market place. Sometimes, there was a special stone in the middle called a market cross or mercat cross in Scotland. These markets were open just one or two days a week. Today, many markets are held inside special halls.

The market square of Shrewsbury is a famous example of a market town in England.

!The market square of Shrewsbury, an English market town