Review by Yitz on 5th August, 2013

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Lovely market in a very attractive and accessible traditional market town centre. The Pannier Market is housed in a historic market hall that gives a good sense of how it must have been in the past century or more. The gateway is surmounted by sheeps heads in stone relief, indicating the importance to this town of the wool trade. Inside, the market nowadays contains a wide range of stalls, selling everything from local fresh-from-the-farm meats, pies and sausages (including wild boar, rabbit, venison and others), through local high-quality wood-turned crafts and bowls, to local fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, and an impressive cheese stall with local, national and european cheeses. Other stalls have good quality "country" equipment - clothing (tweed jackets, hats, etc.) and kit - There are also many of the usual jewellery, housewares, pet supplies, and other stalls such as can be found in most places. Prices are very good, especially for the food items. South Molton seems to be not such a magnet for tourists, and the Pannier Market therefore seems much more aimed at the local resident trade. All in all, a lovely market, and well worth a detour to visit. While there, you can also visit the excellent local museum next door, with a tremendous range of exhibits showing the history of the local area and town from prehistoric until post-war times. An extremely interesting, well-presented and excellently curated collection, it will occupy an hour or two of your time very easily if the weather is a bit damp, and is worth a decent visit even if it's sunny and warm!

Date visited: 1 Aug. 2013