South Molton Museum

South Molton Museum

South Molton Pannier Market

South Molton has been an important market town since at least Saxon times. During the reign of Henry III a Royal Charter granted the Lord of the Manor gave the right to hold market and annual fair. A Charter granted by Elizabeth I in 1590 incorporated the Borough and this was renewed by Charles II in 1684. The Manor of South Molton, with its valuable market and fair tolls, eventually came into the ownership of the Town Council. Broad Street, also known as The Square, is the centre of the town and was once laid out as a market place with butchers shambles, booths, stalls and barbers ranged around a market cross.

South Molton View

Leading to St Mary Magdelene

At first, house, shops and workshops were built of stone and cob or wattle and daub and had roofs, of thatch.  Today many of the properties in the Square have fine Georgian facades, which conceal much earlier buildings. The Square has been the scene of many events and festivities over the centuries and this tradition continues today. For over sixty years it was used as a car park until replaced in the early 1980’s by the present paved “enhancement”.

To visit the South Molton Council website click here

To visit the South Molton Museum website click here