The Hill / Old Market Square

Although looking the worse for wear in these early 1900 images, this area had been bustling in times past.  An annual fair was held from 1267 until about 1900.  And a ‘hiring fair’ took place in late Sept where labourers and servants would look for work for the coming year.  May Day celebrations took place, and there would be a huge bonfire on Guy Fawkes night.  From 1271 to around 1600 it was also Codicote’s marketplace - some of the stalls becoming permanent shops over time, shrinking the area to its present size.