New Market and Head House

The New Market is defined by two rows of brick pillars that support a gable roof over an open market space called the Shambles. A separate section called the Head House stands adjacent to the market and dates from the same period, creating a connected historic complex.

The site was established in 1745 as a marketplace to offer an alternative to other existing markets in the city. The Head House building originally served as a fire station and represents a rare surviving example of its function from that era.

The market draws locals and visitors who gather on weekends to shop and socialize under its brick colonnade. The open-air setting encourages interaction and has become a meeting point where the neighborhood shows its character through food and conversation.

The location is easy to reach on foot and sits within a historic neighborhood filled with other attractions nearby. Plan your visit for weekends when the market is active and you can experience the full character of the space.

Beneath the Head House lies one of America's oldest surviving fire stations, dating back to the 1700s. This underground chamber reveals how firefighting was organized in early American cities.