Highworth was given a Market and Fairs Charter in 1206. This is the first known charter giving the right to hold a weekly Wednesday market and an annual fair at Highworth. It was to be held on the vigil and feast of St Michael (29th September) and was given by King John to Warin son of Gerold on 20th April 1206.

This was followed by a further charter giving the right to hold an annual fair on the vigil, feast and morrow of Peter ad Vincula on the 1st August and was granted to his descendant, Baldwin de Redvers, by King Henry III on 12th June 1257.

Ownership of markets was considered to be a profitable investment and the right to collect tolls at markets and fairs was a valuable perquisite which could be bought and sold.

In 1686 Thomas Freke of Hannington bought the rights for £800. The Freke family retained the rights and in 1725 commissioned a ‘Survey of the Profits’. The survey reveals that the charge for traders setting up stalls was one penny, the toll for sheep was four pence per score, for cattle two pence each for horses  four pence and for pigs one penny. Further income came from the use of the Market House and the rooms over it, also from a charge of one penny for each use of the beam weights. The income to the Freke family for the markets and fairs was said to be £50 per annum (equivalent of £14,167 at today’s prices).

The ownership of the markets and fairs continued in the hands of the Freke family until 13th October 1843, when Colonel Henry John Freke sold them for

£300 (equivalent of £48,710) to  Thomas Ackling, corn dealer and Thomas Yeates the butcher, both of Highworth. Records show that in 1845 ownership was with the Phipps family.

Although initially successful, market towns started to decline and by 1586 the number in Wiltshire had dropped to only 16 from 59 in 1493. However, the late 16th and early 17th centuries saw a marked resurgence. During this period market towns had become important centres of evangelical Puritanism and extra sermons were given to the people thronging in on market days. Some markets became more specialised dealing in horn, wool, yarn or cattle and it appears that Highworth had moved towards a more specialised form of market dealing with cattle.

At about this time Highworth began to decline, as like many other towns, at the expense of the growth of the industrial towns. The new Great Western Railway works opened in Swindon in 1843 providing work and transportation to the growing market in Swindon.

On top of this, agricultural mechanisations lead to high unemployment and a drift away from the land towards the industrial towns. Emigration from Highworth also occurred, some going to Swindon with others moving further afield to America, Canada and Australia. At its peak up to a hundred people left the town every year.

During 1925 the market picked up slightly, but in 1926 it appears that only two markets were held one in February the other in September. Finally, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in December that year which spread over north-east Wiltshire and into west Berkshire. Livestock movement was prohibited in the area and the already week market failed to survive this last set-back.

Rules were quite strict during the time of the fairs. For instance, nobody else was allowed to trade and all the shops in the town were closed for business leading to very bitter feelings amongst the towns people. During the markets and fairs ale was allowed to be sold from bush houses, identified by a bunch of greenery hung outside. Highworth had at least 2 bush houses located in Sheep Street and at the east end of the High Street.

Inns are a good indicator of a market towns success. From the 17th century Inns and Hotels were the centres of commercial activity and wholesale dealings and in Highworth in 1607 there were twelve inns indicating it’s standing as an important and thriving market town.

The late 17th century was a time of stagnation for market towns with the rise in provincial centres and new towns and improvement in transport facilities benefited larger towns to the expense of smaller towns. However, Highworth market continued with the weekly market and two annual fairs. This is an example of what was found throughout Wiltshire as they played a crucial part of trade in livestock, corn and dairy products.

Highworth’s old Market House was taken down in the early 19th century to facilitate the movement of traffic through the town.

In 1970 the market place was sold to Highworth Rural District Council. There was a movement in 1980 to revive the market and a petition in support was organised by Councillor Mrs Haines which was signed by some 500 people. It was planned to hold a street market held on a Saturday and on 30th May 1981 the Highworth Street Market was opened.