Markets

Summary

South Norfolk is rich in historic local markets and farmers' markets, which sell a variety of produce.

Whether it’s bagging a bargain or filling up on fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and other items – our markets are always worth a visit and are a great excuse for day out in one of our fascinating towns.

A bit of history
Markets have been an English tradition for well over a thousand years. A thriving market traditionally showed that a town or village was prosperous and helped show where revenue and taxes could be raised.  Soon markets were not allowed to run without a royal charter, and rules and regulations were introduced to standardise weights and measures. 

Royal Charters for markets were granted in Wymondham, by King John in 1204; in Loddon in 1245 by King Henry III, and in Harleston in 1372 by King Edward III.

In Diss, a Royal Charter was granted for a fair in 1185 by King Richard the Lionheart, in an area still known as Fair Green.