Corn Exchange, Bridgwater

The Corn Exchange in Bridgwater is a Grade I listed marketplace building featuring three sections with a central circular entrance hall supported by Ionic columns and topped with a dome. Located on Cornhill, it now operates primarily as restaurant spaces while retaining its protected building status.

A marketplace has occupied this site since the 1300s, serving as a commercial hub for centuries. The present neoclassical building replaced the earlier structure and was designed by John Bowen in 1834.

The ornamental detail topping the building follows architectural conventions meant to express hospitality. Today you can dine in the restaurants inside and notice these decorative elements from the dining spaces.

The building sits on Cornhill in central Bridgwater and is easy to reach on foot. As a functioning restaurant space, it is best visited during operating hours, though the exterior architecture remains visible from the street at any time.

The building underwent major changes in 1895 when its original metal railings used to separate livestock were removed to meet evolving market demands. This adaptation allowed the interior to serve different commercial purposes more flexibly.