The Market Hall

ST49NW SOMERTON CP MARKET PLACE

9/160 The Market Hall (formerly listed as the Town Hall) 17.4.59

GV II

Market and Town Hall. C17 origins. Local lias stone cut and roughly squared, Ham stone dressings; clay pantiled roof between stepped coped gables with ball finials, ornamental clay tile ridge. Two storeys, 5 bays; south elevation has offset buttresses up to between-floors string course, which is interrupted by arches and labels to openings; cambered arched doorway recess bay 1; 4 light chamfered mullioned window with flat head bay 2; semi circular arched doorways bays 4 and 5; matching mullioned windows with labels to upper bays 1,2,4 and 5. east end has tall 5 light mullioned and transomed window with semi-circular head; small added porch with coped gable and cambered arched doorway at west end with smaller 5 light window above, having 4 centre arched head. north side has taller buttresses, and to bays 1 and 2 full height 5 light flat arched mullioned and transomed windows; bay 3 a slightly projecting chimney stack with offsets, with 2-light window, lower right and similar window lower bay 4; upper bay 4 has 5 light window all on this side without labels: bay 5 a cambered arched doorway up 3 steps. In north west corner against porch a cast iron pump and stone bowl. Interior not seen: building undergoing substantial patching externally and interior remodelling (June 1984). The former Shambles House of at least 1688, repaired 1799. By 1841 focus of the meat market, but also used by local magistrates until 1870- the west porch is a former lock-up. Owned by Lord Ilchester, it was sold to the town in 1913. Included for historical interest and importance in street scene. (VCH, Volume III, 1974).

Listing NGR: ST4906228526