The market that upset Tenby.
Narberth has been a meeting and trading place for centuries. Medieval markets were first held in the churchyard before spreading into the streets.
St James Street was once Sheep Street, while the High Street was known as Pig Market Street. You can still spot iron rings on some buildings, once used to help keep livestock out of houses and shops.
By 1676, Narberth’s growing market was causing such concern in Tenby that the town complained to the Crown that trade was being drawn away, warning of “utter ruin and desolation.” Eventually, in 1688, James II granted Narberth the right to hold a market every week on a Thursday and to hold three fairs a year for the sale of livestock.
Narberth’s market continued to grow. In 1833, Baron de Rutzen built a market hall at the bottom of Market Street, and in 1910 a purpose-built livestock market opened in Spring Gardens.
Narberth’s long tradition as a lively market town continues today.