Durham Market Place

A Medieval Marketplace Through the Ages

Durham Market Place has served as the commercial and social nucleus of the city since medieval times, its origins stretching back centuries into the fabric of English market tradition. The square's layout and significance reflect Durham's importance as a regional trading hub, where merchants, farmers, craftspeople, and entertainers gathered to exchange goods and news. Over time, the Market Place evolved from a simple open square into a carefully defined urban space, eventually becoming the setting for some of Durham's most iconic civic buildings. The area occupies the former site of New Place, the grand town house palace of the Neville family—the Earls of Westmorland—which stood here during medieval times and was sometimes known as the Bull's Head after their family emblem. After the Nevilles forfeited the property to the Crown following the failed Rebellion of the North in 1569, the land eventually passed through various hands before being acquired by Henry Smith's Charity in 1612. The palace was subsequently used as a factory, workhouse, and charity school before demolition made way for the present civic structures.

Victorian Architecture and Urban Design

The Market Place as it exists today took shape during the mid-nineteenth century under the vision of William Henderson, the then mayor and owner of Durham's prosperous carpet weaving business. In 1849–1851, London architect Philip Charles Hardwick designed and oversaw construction of the Town Hall and the adjoining Durham Market Hall, transforming the square into a statement of Victorian civic pride and commercial enterprise. The Market Hall itself represents a masterpiece of Victorian engineering and design, featuring cast-iron roof structures in a series of pitches supported by cast-iron columns, with stone vaulting at the north end. The building's back elevation, exposed to Leazes Road, displays a massive retaining wall and plain segmental-headed windows beneath a row of gables—a pragmatic design that contrasts with the more ornate public-facing facades. The Town Hall, completed in 1851, stands as a prominent architectural anchor, while the nearby Guildhall and the Church of St. Nicholas add further layers of historical significance. Three prominent statues within the Market Place reflect different aspects of Durham's heritage and identity, serving as focal points for visitors and residents alike.

The Indoor Market: A Living Marketplace

Durham Indoor Market, officially established by Act of Parliament in 1851 and opened in 1852, has remained a vital commercial space for over 170 years. The market underwent a major refurbishment in the 1990s, reopening in November 1996 with extended trading hours from Monday to Saturday. The refurbished Market Hall was officially opened by Tony Blair, then Leader of the Opposition, on 20 December 1996—144 years after the market first opened its doors. Today, the Indoor Market houses more than 40 independent traders offering a diverse range of food, goods, and services, from fresh produce and artisanal foods to clothing, homewares, and specialist items. The traders are known for their knowledge and passion, often engaging visitors in conversation about their products. In 2010, the mezzanine level was extended to provide enhanced retail facilities and a larger café bistro, Café Cenno, which serves as a welcoming refueling point. The market received the award "Best Private Market" from NABMA, the National Association of British Market Authorities, in January 2011, recognizing its excellence and community contribution.

Markets Beyond the Hall

The Market Place itself hosts a vibrant Saturday Outdoor Market, which operates every Saturday from 9am to 4pm, bringing together independent traders offering handmade goods, unique gifts, artisanal food, fashion, homewares, and pet treats. Additionally, the Food Producers' and Crafters' Market takes place on the first Thursday of each month, celebrating local producers and makers. The Market Place also plays a central role in organizing the award-winning annual Durham Christmas Festival, which transforms the square into a festive hub during the busiest retail weekend of the year in the city centre.

Connectivity and Urban Context

The Market Place connects seamlessly with historic streets that branch outward, including Silver Street and Saddler Street on one side, and Claypath and the modern High Street on the other. Saddler Street, historically known as Saddlergate, serves as the main route for tourists heading toward Durham Cathedral. The lower portion of Saddler Street was originally called Fleshergate, reflecting its medieval role as a street where saddles and other leather goods were crafted and sold. Fowler's Yard, an attractive nearby location, hosts a collection of independent creative outlets, eating establishments, and a small theatre used by a local dramatic society, adding further cultural richness to the area. The Market Place thus functions not merely as a shopping destination but as a genuine meeting point where Durham's past and present intersect.