Located in the heart of Cardiff’s city centre is this wonderful indoor market, selling a wide variety of fresh produce, cooked food, delicacies, vinyl records and all manner of useful household items.
Designed by the Borough Surveyor, William Harpur, the two floor market opened in May 1891, and stands on the site of Cardiff gaol (the gallows where Dic Penderyn was hung on 13 August 1831 were located on the site of the current St. Mary Street entrance).
Accessible via entrances on St. Mary Street, Trinity Street and an alleyway off Church Street, the market has two shopping levels; a large ground floor area and a balcony level running across all four sides of the hall.
Since 1975 the building has been listed and is currently Grade II.
Ashton’s have traded in the market since 1866 and the strong whiff of fish as you enter the Trinity Street entrance is something you won’t forget in a hurry.
The market ground floor contains four aisles, and you can see the raised market superintendent’s office – complete with clock tower – in the centre of this photo.
Since 1910, a large H. Samuel clock has dominated the High Street entrance. The current clock built by Smith of Derby dates from 1963 and was apparently restored in 2011 at a cost of £25,000.
The hands (that were in situ in 2007) appear to have vanished. and I’m not sure if the letters still light up in red neon.
Welsh themed gifts and nick-nacks.
A fine selection of Welsh cakes for sale.
Enjoying a cuppa and a chat by the cafe.
Read more:
Cardiff Market photos, 2007
Related posts:
Cardiff city centre photos
Bongs, buttons and bull strength at Cardiff’s Central Market – in photos
A celebration of Kellys Records in Cardiff Central Market, south Wales
A walk around Bute Park, in the former grounds of Cardiff Castle, south Wales
Cardiff street photos – 25 views of the capital of Wales, June 2014
Cardiff protest against Israel playing Wales in the UEFA 2016 qualifier – photos
Frosty feet, market scenes, CCTV Santa and Chinese baubles: Cardiff photos, December 2016
Christmas lights in the November rain, drag queen karaoke and street views – a trip to Cardiff in photos
The clock that was refurbished in 2011 was actually the one that hangs out side the market buildings. The wooden one inside hasn’t worked for years. http://publicclockthis.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/cardiff-part-1.html
Was the original gaol which today is Cardiff indoor market demolished to build the market or was it converted into the present site ?