The Pannier Market was built in Victorian times and has full length glass doors and a clock tower. The inscription on the face of the clock tower reads 'TUCKER 1830 TIVERTON'. There happens to be a reference to a J.W Tucker, watch and clock maker in Fore Street, Tiverton in the Tiverton listing of Pigot's 1822 directory. Also a reference to 'Tucker, John Walter Tothill of Tiverton' on the British & Irish Clock and Watch Makers Historical Clock & Watch Research website.
ATTRACTIONS
Pannier Market
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Yet another fantastic historic building in the town is the Grade II Listed Pannier Market, which hosts varying types of market throughout the week with a wide range of traders selling a diverse selection of local and artisan produce. Not just a market but a social hub, event venue and part of Tiverton's rich market history, which is thought to stretch back over a thousand years.
The Pannier Market was opened in 1830 after a bill passed in 1825, which declared that no goods were to be auctioned in the streets of Tiverton or the market on non-market days. Even today permission must be sought by the council to hold market style events which might imapct on the Pannier Market's business.
The Market offers a charity pitch and a craft demonstration pitch free of charge to local charities and artists.
Address
Tiverton Pannier Market, Market Square, Fore Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6NH
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: II (Grade Two). This status confirms the building is of "special interest" and is a significant landmark within the town's commercial history.
List Entry Number: 1384897
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: Protected as a distinctive mid-19th-century public market building. It is noted for its "H-plan" layout and the use of local stone with limestone dressings, reflecting the civic pride of Tiverton during the Victorian era.
Local Designations
Tiverton Conservation Area: The market acts as a central hub within the Tiverton Conservation Area, linking the main shopping streets (Fore Street and Bampton Street) and maintaining the town's traditional market character.
Mid Devon District Council Asset: Recognized as a key community and economic asset, undergoing significant regeneration in recent years to preserve its historic fabric while modernising facilities.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The Market Hall: The main covered area featuring an impressive timber-framed roof and open-sided arches.
The Perimeter Buildings: Historically used as shops and administrative offices, forming the gated entrances to the market square.
Historic Environment Record (HER): Indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV1364.
Chronology of Historic Uses
1830s: Designed by the architect G.A. Boyce; the current stone structures were built to replace a more chaotic system of street trading.
1831: Formally opened for the sale of "pannier" goods—items traditionally brought to market in baskets (panniers) carried by packhorses.
Victorian Era: Served as the primary trade center for local farmers, lace-makers, and butchers.
2011–Present: Following a major refurbishment, it now hosts a mix of traditional markets, craft fairs, and community events, remaining one of the few surviving historic pannier markets in the Southwest.
Useful Links
Tiverton Pannier Market (Opens in new window) The Tiverton Pannier Market website serves as a digital guide for both casual visitors and prospective traders. It offers the following key information:
Weekly Market Schedule The site provides a clear breakdown of what to expect each day, as the market’s focus shifts throughout the week:
Trader Directory Visitors can browse a list of regular stalls to see what is available. Common categories include:
Local Produce
Artisan Crafts
Specialty Items
Events & Festivals The website highlights special one-off and recurring events that go beyond the standard market days, such as:
Tiverton Farmers’ Market
Seasonal Festivals
Facilities & Visitor Planning
Directions & Parking
On-site Amenities
History
Information for Traders For those looking to sell, the site offers:
Trading Opportunities
Venue Hire
