BASINGSTOKE'S Market Place has hosted a market since at least the 13th Century - although a reference in the Domesday book means it was likely to have held one even earlier

In 1214, King John decreed a market should be held on a Wednesday and one has been ever since, although you can also visit one on a Saturday now too.

Originally the Town Hall was on the west side of Market Place, at the junction between Winchester and Church Street. The original building was badly damaged in a fire in 1664 and although the building was rebuilt on the same site, it proved to be badly positioned once horse, cart and coach travel increased. Fast forward to 1829 and it was decided that Market Place would be enlarged, and a new Town Hall would be built on the north side.

The ground floor of the new Town Hall was open to the front with pillars, which you can still see today. This area was used by people selling cheese, milk or meat and the market. The space was enclosed after 1864.

In 1887, for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the then mayor John May replaced the clock tower with a much larger one. It was, however, described by many as a monstrosity and was eventually taken down in 1961 after safety concerns.

The Willis Museum opened in the old Town Hall in 1984, before this it was housed in the old Mechanics Institute building in New Road. It was founded and re-named after local clockmaker, George W. Willis. Nowadays, the museum takes visitors through Basingstoke’s history, from the Iron Age to the 1960s. The Sainsbury Gallery plays host to a rolling programme of exhibitions from national galleries and some of the finest artists in the region.

Situated outside the Museum is a statue of novelist Jane Austin. The life-size bronze figure was created to mark the 200th anniversary of the writer’s death. It is considered to be the first of Austin in the world. The location was chosen as it is thought to be the same square Austin would have visited to shop or to dance in the assembly rooms nearby.

Market Place has played host to a number of events over the years including Basingstoke’s Together own Day of the Dead, The Event Box, and Be Active. At Christmas the Willis Museum was lit up with a festive projection and recently during the lockdown was lit blue to say thank you to the NHS.

Visitors to Market Place can enjoy the history of the area. And a number of businesses now call the square home. Opposite the Willis Museum, Barclays have taken up residence. For Basingstoke’s men looking to sharpen up their image, House of Handsome are situated towards Winchester Street. If the fast food of McDonalds doesn’t appeal to you, Poppins Café allows guests to enjoy classic British cuisine and watch the world go by. Those travelling to town to run errands can often find what they are looking for in Timpson’s or Pandora’s Box, stocking up on much needed supplies or getting items needed for a repair job.

n Over upcoming weeks, The Gazette has joined forces with Basingstoke Together to shine a spotlight on the historic Top of Town district. To find out more, visit www.basingstoketogether.co.uk. You can show your support for the campaign with the hashtag #TopOfOurTown.