The earliest record of the market is 1216 in the Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales. The Market was granted a Charter (a document providing certain rights to the people of the town) on 12th June 1257, which enabled Medieval Lymington to hold its own market. Farmers, traders and merchants would come from far and wide to sell their goods. This is still true of today’s traders.
The High Street was deliberately designed to be wide enough for a market to be held regularly and this can still be seen in the current imposing Georgian architecture that lines both sides of the High Street, from the Quay in the East and up to St Thomas Church which holds a commanding position in the West.
Discover Britain's Markets & Market Towns - external link to Britain's Market website
Historical photos of the Charter Market, courtesy of St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery
Photos of the current market, courtesy of William Bonnet.
