Oxford Covered Market

About

Oxford Covered Market features more than 50 traders selling fresh produce, gifts, fashion, flowers and jewellery, and provides a unique showcase for the very best in local crafts, food and drink. We are proud that the majority of our businesses are independent and with some going back generations. Oxford Covered Market, which was designed by Magdalen Bridge architect John Gwynn, first opened as a market for meat, fish, vegetables and herbs on 1 November 1774. It was then enlarged several times, rebuilt and fully roofed over during the 19th century. Visitors can still see original iron roof supports, cast by Dewer Foundry in London in 1839; 1830s market fronts, complete with moulded cornice and pilasters; and iron bars projecting from shop fronts that date from the 19th century and were used to hang meat. The Covered Market, which was Grade II-listed in 2000, is a rarity because it has been in continual use as a market for almost 250 years.