The Pannier Market

The Pannier Market is a beautifully architected building that was fully restored to its former splendour in 1993 by Bidefords town council. Its high ceilings are fitted with banks of skylights that allow beams of light to shower down onto the impressive indoor market on a sunny midsummers day, making this a tranquil and relaxing location that allows you to easily while away an hour or two without realising it.

The building itself was built in 1884 at a cost of £4,200 to house the fish market, butchery stalls and corn exchange. The Mayor, G W Vincent, performed the opening ceremony, which was followed by a public dinner with almost 200 people attending. The day ended with a promenade concert and later that week about 2,000 children gathered at the market for a tea party.

You will find Bidefords Pannier Market by walking up the High Street and taking a left turn into Grenville Street.

The building stands fair and square ahead of you. It is called the Pannier Market after the wicker baskets, or panniers, in which farmers wives carried their wares. A market has been held in Bideford since the granting of the Charter of Incorporation in 1573.

In addition to the Indoor Market, the Pannier Market hosts Butchers Row, which was historically the main arcade for the meat trade. However, due to its restoration in 1999, Butchers Row now houses a plethora of quaint little art and craft shops in what is now a very picturesque little shopping arcade.

Although the Pannier Market is a little way to walk, it is definitely worth a visit.

Tourist Guide: - The indoor market is open to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm selling plants, home grown produce, antiques, jewellery, books, paintings, photographs and much more for most of the year. It also houses a maritime themed café, with a decked seating area for forty-eight people, the cafe sells hot and cold food, cakes and refreshments, Butchers Row is open 6 days a week to the public.

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