The Saturday market
Every Saturday morning the Market Place fills with stalls, just as it has — on and off — for more than 800 years.
Highworth Saturday Market
Weekly market Every SaturdayThis is the heart of a Highworth Saturday. Expect fresh produce, fish, meat and vegetables alongside bread, cheese, olives, plants, sweet treats, crafts and household goods. It's a proper community morning out — your town councillors are even on hand at the Podium for a chat while the market is on. The market in its current form was revived in 1981, after the old street market had stopped back in the 1920s.
Make a morning of it. The market sits right among the town's shops, cafes and pubs — browse the stalls, then carry on with our shopping guide or stop for a bite from the eat & drink pages.
Over 800 years of market tradition
Highworth has held a market by royal charter since the reign of King John — one of the oldest market rights in Wiltshire.
The 1206 charter
In 1206 King John granted Highworth a charter for a weekly market and an annual fair. According to Highworth Historical Society, the charter was granted to Warin FitzGerold, the king's hereditary chamberlain, and originally allowed a Wednesday market. The town marked the charter's 800th anniversary in 2006 — and the market is still going strong today, now on Saturdays.
Decline and revival
The market has had its ups and downs. When Parliamentarian forces took Highworth in 1645 during the Civil War, traders moved their business to Swindon, and the market did not recover until the end of the 1600s. The street market faded out again in the 1920s, before the Town Council brought it back to the Market Place in 1981.
- 1206
King John grants Highworth a charter for a weekly market and an annual fair.
- 1645
Parliamentarian forces take the town during the Civil War; traders move their business to Swindon, and the market doesn't recover until the end of the 1600s.
- 1920s
The old street market fades out.
- 1976
The historic town centre around the square becomes a conservation area.
- 1981
The Town Council revives the street market in the Market Place — the market you'll find there today.
- 2006
Highworth celebrates 800 years of its market charter.
Want the longer story of the town itself? Head over to our history of Highworth page.
The Podium
The Podium is the raised landmark at the centre of the Market Place — recently rebuilt and back at the heart of town life.
The Podium, Market Place
Town landmarkWhen the old Podium was found to need urgent rebuilding — its huge London plane tree had damaged the surface and walls — the Town Council set up a Podium Development Group and asked residents how it should be done. The rebuilt Podium has a newly planted tree and commemorative plaques set into its base. Cafes and pubs can put tables and chairs out on it, and town councillors are available there every Saturday for the length of the market. You can also book the Podium or the Market Square for events through the Town Council.
Big days in the Market Place
Twice a year the market square and High Street close to traffic and the whole town turns out.
May Day festival
Annual Early May
Highworth's May Day is the town's biggest day out, held on a Saturday at the start of May alongside the regular market. The High Street fills with 60 to 70 stalls of crafts, food and gifts, with maypole dancing, the traditional Green Man Parade, live bands, farm animals, face painting and children's entertainment. The date changes each year, so check before you travel.
Check this year's date with the Town CouncilChristmas lights switch-on
Annual Late November
Each year, on a Saturday in late November, the High Street and Market Square close for an all-day Christmas event. The 2024 event brought more than 50 independent stalls, a lantern parade, a funfair, the Silver Band, school choirs and the Highworth Choral Society — finishing with the lights switch-on at 5.30pm and a visit from Santa in his sleigh. Details change yearly, so check nearer the time.
Check this year's plans with the Town CouncilPractical information
Getting here is easy, and there is always room for new traders.
Parking on market day
There are car parks a short walk from the Market Place, and the square itself doubles as parking outside market hours. See our car parks & toilets page for where to park on market day.
Become a stallholder
Traders welcomeFancy a pitch? The Town Council runs the market and welcomes new traders. Email them with what you sell and the stall size you need, and they will help find you a spot in the square.
Sources & credits
- https://highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk/saturday-market/
- https://highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk/podium/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highworth
- https://wikishire.co.uk/wiki/Highworth
- https://www.greatwestway.co.uk/see-and-do/cities-towns-and-villages/highworth-p4208541
- https://www.swindon24.co.uk/whats-on/highworth-ready-for-vibrant-may-day-event-this-saturday/
- https://entertainmentswindon.co.uk/2024/05/02/exciting-updates-ahead-of-highworth-may-day-festival/
- http://highworthhistoricalsociety.org.uk/highworth-markets-and-fairs/
- https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/24751735.highworth-town-centre-close-all-day-christmas-event/
- https://swindonlink.com/lifestyle/highworth-lights/
- https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/highworth/
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Highworth_Market_Place_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6567225.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Market_Place,_Highworth_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2310223.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Memorial_seat_on_the_Podium,_Market_Place,_Highworth_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2349013.jpg
Information compiled June 2026 — please check details with venues before travelling.