Lunchtime Talk: 'Exploring the History of Oxford's Covered Market'

The Museum of Oxford, in collaboration with , is delighted to present:

‘Exploring the History of Oxford’s Covered Market’ with Malcolm Graham.

250 years ago, just before Christmas in 1774, Oxford’s Covered Market was fully opened for the first time. Established by the Oxford Improvement Act of 1771, The Covered Market was designed to clear untidy, messy and unsavoury stalls off the streets and gather food traders into one ‘covered’ marketplace.

This talk, in celebration of The Covered Market’s 250th anniversary, will explore how the market has evolved over time from a place supplying everyday essentials to today’s thriving shopping and food destination. It will show how the traders and trades of the Market have changed, and how changes in the regulation of the Market have reflected wider change in the ‘Town and Gown’ governance of the city.

The talk will also look at how attitudes towards the Market have evolved over 250 years. Hailed in the 18th century as “universally allowed to exceed every thing of the kind” and now appreciated by residents and visitors as one of Oxford’s heritage assets, the Market was threatened with removal to new premises after the Second World War.

Tickets are available for £5 online or at the Museum Shop (booking fee applies online). We strongly advise booking tickets in advance due to previous demand.

Malcolm Graham is an Oxford local historian who was Head of Oxfordshire Studies with Oxfordshire County Council until he retired in 2008. His interest in the history of the Covered Market goes back over 50 years!

Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.

Sales from tickets help support our work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, schools workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in our Museum spaces.

Access at the Museum

There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall is via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift to the Galleries and then via stairs.

Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum. Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access

Photo consent:

Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.

Photos in the image collage credit to Oxfordshire History Centre.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Museum of Oxford, St Aldate's, Oxford, United Kingdom