History
Dorchester has been home to markets since its founding as the Roman town of Durnovaria. The location of the Roman forum and basilica is believed by many to have been on or near the area where the Corn Exchange and Cornhill stand today.
Following the Romans' withdrawal from Britain around AD 410, markets continued to be held around the same spot from Anglo-Saxon times onwards. By the medieval period, Dorchester had developed into a busy market town, with three weekly markets and three annual fairs.
The Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs records that the earliest documented evidence of our town's market dates from 1228, when it is recorded as a mercatum held by King Henry III, making it a royal market, held under the King's own authority rather than granted to a local lord. This confirms that Dorchester's market rights were already ancient enough that no formal grant needed to be issued, meaning our right to hold a market is a 'prescriptive' right - one recognised as having existed from time immemorial. In 1305, the year Dorchester became the county town of Dorset, these long-established market rights were formally recognised in charter form for the first time.
Three centuries later, updates to Dorchester's market charter by King James I (1610) and King Charles I (1629) further solidified the town's status as a hub for market trading.
Dorchester Town Hall was completed in 1791 with a market space beneath it. When it was replaced by the current municipal buildings in 1847-48, a purpose-built Corn Exchange was incorporated into the new structure - a fitting home for the grain trade that had been central to the town's economy for centuries. The exchange floor has since been converted into an events venue, which it remains today.
Since 1st April 2026, responsibility for carrying on this long tradition has passed to Dorchester Town Council, which now manages both the Fairfield and Cornhill markets. The Council's aim is to develop successful and thriving markets that befit the county town of Dorset, enhancing the town's retail and commercial offer and creating a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike.
At the heart of our community
Our Markets
Cornhill Market
With roots as a market space stretching back to Roman Britain, there are few town markets that can boast such a rich heritage.
Sitting at the very heart of Dorchester, at the junction of South Street and the historic High Street, Cornhill is the perfect spot for traders looking to capture passing trade from locals and visitors alike. A wide variety of goods can be found here on any given day throughout the week.
Fairfield Market
Our Wednesday market at Fairfield has somewhat more recent roots than Cornhill, though its history is rich in its own right. The livestock market moved from the town centre to the Fairfield site in the mid-19th century, with food and produce stalls following later. Thomas Ensor is credited with founding the modern weekly market in 1860, and it became so well established that in 1877 the site was officially laid out as a dedicated market area. The Ensor family continued to manage the market for the next century and a half, until April 2026 when Dorchester Town Council took over.
The Wednesday market has long been a major attraction for the town, drawing visitors from across the region and holding a firm place in the weekly routines of a great many locals, who return each week to mingle, browse and shop. On Sunday mornings, the site also hosts one of Dorset's most popular car boot sales.
We are proud of the market, its history and its reputation, and are committed to growing and developing both the market and the site it stands on, including planned physical improvements to the Fairfield site itself. We welcome traders both old and new as we build on what already exists and strengthen the market's place within our community for generations to come.
Become a stallholder at our markets
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow an existing business, trading at one of Dorchester's markets could be your ideal next step.
Low overheads, lower risk: Unlike committing to a shop lease, a market stall requires minimal upfront investment. You pay for your pitch and insurance, and turn up! No long-term contracts, no business rates, no utility bills. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to get your product in front of customers.
The ideal place to test and grow: A market stall is a brilliant way to trial a new product or find out whether there's an appetite for what you do - all without the financial commitment of a permanent premises. Many successful Dorset businesses started with a single market stall, and some choose to stay that way.
A ready-made customer base: Dorchester's markets benefit from strong, reliable footfall throughout the year. As the county town of Dorset, Dorchester attracts a steady flow of visitors alongside its loyal local customer base, meaning your stall will be seen by residents and tourists alike, week in, week out.
A genuine community: Our stallholders form a close-knit community, supporting one another and contributing to the vibrant atmosphere that keeps customers coming back. Many of our traders have been with us for years, and new faces are always warmly welcomed.
Two great locations: With Cornhill in the heart of the town centre and Fairfield just a short walk away, we offer pitches to suit different types of trader. Whether you're selling books, food, handmade crafts, clothing, or anything in between, there's a place for you at Dorchester Markets.
Ready to find out more? Complete an enquiry form below or contact Marc Sweeney at marcsweeney@dorchester-tc.gov.uk or 07498387601 for details on pitch availability and pricing.