Market Harborough Town Hall

Market Harborough Town Hall is a red brick structure with stone dressings prominently positioned on High Street, displaying a symmetrical facade with five bays and sash windows across its face. The north elevation features Venetian windows, while the south side shows three floors of windows positioned above the original market arcading.

The building was constructed in 1788 with assembly rooms occupying the upper floors while the ground floor functioned as a covered marketplace for meat traders. This division of space reflected the dual purpose of serving as both a public gathering point and a commercial hub for the town.

The coat of arms of the Earl of Harborough carved into the pediment tells the story of how local nobility shaped the town's governance and civic life. This symbol remains a visible reminder of the relationship between the ruling classes and the community they served.

The building underwent extensive renovations completed in autumn 2018 and now houses office spaces and commercial suites in its upper floors. Much of the interior is private workspace, so visitors are best served by appreciating the architectural details visible from the street and surrounding area.

The building's design ingeniously combined civic governance with daily commerce, housing formal assembly rooms alongside a working meat market under one roof. Few structures from this era successfully balanced social hierarchy with practical market needs in such a compact and unified design.

Location: Harborough

GPS coordinates: 52.47936,-0.92250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:20