Monument record MDO20405 - Seventeenth-century Market House, The Square, Beaminster

A market house was built in The Square, Beaminster in 1625. It was damaged by fire in 1684 and demolished in the second half of the 18th century.

A market house, built on freestone pillars in the reign of James I formerly stood in the centre of Beaminster. It was poorly repaired after being damaged by fire in 1684, and becoming ruinous was demolished about the end of the 18th century. <1>

A market house was built in Beaminster market place in 1625. It was built on arched pillars, with a thatched roof. It was badly damaged by fire in 1684 and partly repaired. Part was used as a market house, part was used as the shambles and part was disused. By the later 18th century it had become very shabby, the arches had been walled up and the roof patched with boards. It was demolished some time before 1780. <3>

The site is now occupied by a car park with a modern surface, and there is no trace of antiquity. <4>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 118-9 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, 1903 (Map). SDO10373.

(ST 48020130) Market House (NR) (Site of)

<3> Hine, R A, 1914, History of Beaminster, 142-143 (Monograph). SDO10607.

<4> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 12-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 193022 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 27 2023 2:41PM