The Market Place

Swaffham has been a bustling hub of trade and community activity for over 800 years. This vibrant market tradition is deeply rooted in the town’s heritage and continues to thrive every Saturday, attracting both locals and visitors.

The market, a cornerstone of Swaffham’s identity, offers a diverse range of goods through its family of stalls. On Saturdays, the marketplace is filled with traders and the colourful displays of goods ranging from fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, to cheeses, eggs, and household items.

Each Saturday also features an outdoor auction, which starts with the ringing of the auction bell at 11 am. This event is held on the “Stones” outside the Greyhound Pub.

This Saturday market is not just a place of commerce but a lively event where history and modern life blend seamlessly, providing an inviting atmosphere filled with the sights, sounds, and scents of a traditional English market.

Historically, the market’s origins can be traced back to the era before King John.

It could be said to be established when King Henry II (1154–1189) granted two fairs to Swaffham, but the town officially recognises its beginnings from 1215 when King John ordered it to be abolished if it interfered with a market at nearby Dunham.

The Saturday market has endured since those early days.