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The historic Market Square has been the home for Lichfield markets since King Stephen granted the first markets charter in 1161.
The Market Square has also been central to many scenes in Lichfield’s history. In the 1550’s, during the reign of ‘bloody’ Queen Mary, Thomas Hayward, John Goreway and Joyce Lewis were burnt at the stake on the Square. Then in 1612 Edward Wightman was convicted of heresy and burnt at the stake on the Square – the last person so to die in England.
In 1651 George Fox, the Quaker, famously stood barefoot on the Market Square and denounced the city. “Woe to the Bloody City of Lichfield”.
The Market Square is overlooked by the house where Dr Johnson was born in 1709. Dr Johnson was the writer of the first authoritative English Dictionary and his house is now a public museum.
The Square contains statues of Samuel Johnson and also of his biographer, James Boswell.
Lichfield Markets
The Lichfield Markets are run by the City Council. General markets are held weekly on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and have a wide range of quality goods and produce at very competitive prices.
Farmers Markets are held on the first Thursday of the month (except January) selling wholesome locally-produced food and other goods, including an excellent choice of hand-made arts and crafts
Trading on the Lichfield Market
Stalls are 8’ (2.44m) and are erected for traders on the Fridays Saturday and Farmers Markets. For the Tuesday Market traders erect their own stalls.
Persons interested in trading on the Markets should contact the Markets Officer, Rachel Clive. Telephone 01543 309853 or email markets@lichfield.gov.uk
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