Cardigan Market is housed in one of the finest and recently extended buildings in West Wales and is the focal point of the ancient market town of Cardigan.
Built in 1858-1860 Cardigan Guildhall reflects the great prosperity and civic pride that Cardigan enjoyed in the middle of the 19th century. The Guildhall was the first civic building in Britain to be built in the Ruskinian Gothic architectural style.
Built by local craftsmen in stone quarried at nearby Cilgerran, the two storied building must be one of the most picturesque town halls in Wales. A captured Russian field gun stands guard at the front of the Guildhall. It serves as a reminder that the 7th Earl of Cardigan was the commander who led the 11th Hussars in the historic and ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade on the Russian guns at Balaclava.
The multi-arched basement, which now houses the market resembles the crypt of a great cathedral. The magnificent four-faced clock tower was added in 1892. Recent improvements to the building have included a beautiful gallery at street level, lift and disabled access from the Guildhall car park and the building is now home to Menter Aberteifi.
There is a poem about Cardigan Market ‘In Cardigan Market‘ see Welsh writers and poets in the Welsh culture and heritage part of the site.
Read more about Cardigan town, Cardigan Castle and shops and businesses in the area, and follow the FaceBook page for Cardigan Market to see the great range of businesses to ‘shop local’.