The Market Charter
Honiton was formally recognised as a market town when King Henry III granted it a Royal Charter in 1257, confirming its right to hold a weekly market. This charter helped establish Honiton as an important trading centre in Devon, attracting farmers, merchants and travellers to its bustling High Street.
Over time, the market became central to the town’s economic and social life, a legacy still remembered today in the annual Honiton Market Charter Day celebrations known locally as just “Charter Day”.
Honiton Livestock Market
In the early part of the 20th century, Honiton’s High Street was a lively livestock market. Photos from around that time show sheep, cattle, and horses packed along the road near landmarks like the old Post Office (now the Manor House).
Honiton’s livestock market, just off Silver Street, opened in the early 1900s when animal trading moved away from the High Street. It ran for about a hundred years and was East Devon’s last cattle market until it closed around 2022 to make way for redevelopment
The First Charter Day
The first Honiton Market Charter Day event was held in 2007.
It was the brainchild of Margaret Lewis, curator of Honiton Museum, who realised that the Market Superintendent’s 10th year in the job coincided with the 750th anniversary of the granting of the charter to the town.
So, Margaret and a group of volunteers set about applying for a £10,000 Lottery grant and, on being successful, they organised a week of activities in celebration.
Thus Charter Day was born and has continued ever since as a one-day event.
