Market Place

Howden is a thriving market town with plenty of charm and character thanks to its Georgian features, cobbled streets and independent shops, all situated under the shadow of Grade I listed Minster. Every Friday, plus one Saturday a month, the Shire Hall becomes a hive of activity, where residents and visitors unite to sell, trade, and purchase goods.

A brief history of Howden market

Howden has a longstanding history of Royal connections and was once famous throughout Europe for its horse fair, which in 1807 was known as being the largest in the Kingdom. Its vast open and flat agricultural land, lends itself well to crop growing and farming. On these flat farmlands the aeronautical engineer Barnes Wallis developed the R100 Airship, contributing to a remarkable chapter in aviation history. In recent years Howden Civic Society have created a trail of Blue Plaques marking significant buildings in the town.

Howden Market Place shops

Market Place, the heart of the town, is pinpointed by the Market Cross. While the base is medieval, the cross was added in 1909. With traditional butchers and grocer’s shops to more quirky gift shops, coffee shops and eateries, Howden’s Market Place has a wide local offering. The shopkeepers are as well-known as the wares they sell, from the creative flair of Tom at Tom Loves, to a friendly “what do you know?” from Philip Parkin the butcher or find everything but the kitchen sink from Maggie at Touchwood Homecare. Stop by and truly shop local!

The Shire Hall

The Shire Hall is home to our local market, but that doesn’t mean it only comes to life on a Friday! In fact, the space is used throughout the week to unite the community. Art, sports, and creative events all take place here, and the diary is often filled with something for everyone.

Shopping at Howden market

The market is not only a great atmosphere, but also a practical place to get local goods. Stalls can vary, but you can expect cakes, jewellery, clothes, toiletries, Enid’s array of plants and also a van selling fresh fish – all the staples! The artisan products draw in visitors, such as clever crafts and handmade furniture, and there’s a community cafe open while the market is on.

Keeping traditions alive

While there are many great places to shop throughout East Yorkshire, Howden is somewhere you can take on a slower pace of life and take real enjoyment from finding unique gifts, window shopping and running errands. We recommend saving that bit of extra time to grab a coffee or ice cream, settle on one of the many benches in the market square and admire the seasonal hanging baskets or festive decorations.

Plan your visit to Market Place

There are many great transport links to Howden, but if you’re arriving by car (or plan to come back with plenty of bags!) you can find parking in the town centre. So, get ready to live like a local, sample local produce and escape to the countryside for the day.