Historic Market Towns in England

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Interesting town, developed around the gates of an abbey founded in 675.

Acle, Norfolk

Acle, meaning “clearing in an oak forest” is a small but attractive market town situated near the River Bure, in the Norfolk Broads. It sits midway between the historic city...

Alcester, Warwickshire

Alcester developed as a market town in Roman times. It grew out of a settlement at the meeting point of two roads and two rivers, the Arrow and the Alne.

Alford, Lincolnshire

Deep in the Lincolnshire countryside, not far distant from the golden sandy beaches between Mablethorpe and Chapel St.Leonards is the pleasant market town of Alford.

Alnwick, Northumberland

Set magnificently in the heart of the beautiful northern countryside is the great castle that has dominated the life and times of Alnwick for centuries.

Alresford, Hampshire

Alresford is a market town in Hampshire, just north-east of the City of Winchester and south-west of the town of Alton, which it is linked to by the Mid Hants Watercress Railway...

Alston, Cumbria

At a height of over 1,000 feet in the far reaches of the Pennines, this is one of England's highest market towns. Alston is a lively bustling place of steeply rising narrow...

Alton, Hampshire

An historic market town which in recent times derived its prosperity from hop fields and the brewing industry, previously it had been a centre for wool and cloth.

Altrincham, Greater Manchester

First developed as a quiet hamlet on the edge of the sweeping Cheshire Plain, where life went quietly on.

Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Amersham is one of those towns where with one cast of the eye, you immediately know that this is a place with a long history for around the broad High Street is a mixture of fine...

Ampthill, Bedfordshire

The lovely town of Ampthill lies sheltered by hills in the sandstone belt of Bedfordshire.

Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria

Appleby, is situated in the valley of the River Eden near to Hoff Beck, stunningly beautiful, it is an ideal centre for both walking and touring.

Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Ashbourne is a delightful market town located in the Derbyshire Dales, in the central part of England.

Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

This town takes its name from the La Souche family, lords of the manor from about 1160. The Norman prefix distinguishes Ashby from other towns of similar name.

Axbridge, Somerset

Interestingly, in Saxon times, this quaint little town was a Royal hunting centre

Axminster, Devon

Famous for its carpets often likened to Turkish, Axminster was one of the first West Saxon settlements formed along the River Axe in Devon.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire, taking over the mantle from the town of Buckingham during the 16th century. Aylesbury is a very busy vibrant town, situated at...

Aylsham, Norfolk

Bakewell, Derbyshire

Bakewell is the largest town in the Peak District National Park. It is an old town full of glowing stone houses and buildings that lend an air of ambience and overall warmth.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

This is one of the best known town's in England. It was made famous by its celebrated cross of 1859, built in honour of the wedding of Prince Frederick of Prussia, it replaces an...