Cattle Market Auction Building

The building is a cattle market auction building constructed around 1882. It is a rare and well-preserved example of a Border auction mart, reflecting the importance of the wider agricultural economy, and is designated at Grade II for this reason.

The building is constructed of wood with a Welsh slate conical roof, and features a distinctive 12-sided plan. The exterior is clad in battened boards, with doorways on the north-west side for animal access and a small boarded opening on the south-west side. The west side incorporates the auctioneer's office door and two sash windows with glazing bars, which are now boarded. A row of large square roof lights, many with glazing bars, are positioned near the centre of the roof.

The interior is entered through a small lobby, leading to an auctioneer's room on the left and the main animal ring on the right. The animal ring has a concrete floor with replacement scales at the western end. Three tiers of wooden benches are situated behind a low wooden fence, supplemented by a later steel rail, and these are supported by rustic wooden roof supports. An auctioneer's desk is positioned on the west side.

The building is historically significant as it represents the shift from traditional droving routes and animal fairs to auction marts located near railway stations in the 19th century. It was part of a larger livestock market situated in the centre of Tow Law, east of the High Street and adjacent to the former railway station, and is depicted on the 1897 Ordnance Survey map along with other market buildings and animal pens. The market remained in a similar configuration until the later 20th century when it was incorporated into a larger complex. The building ceased operation in 2005.