Petworth's current layout is a fairly new one, having to live with the demands of the modern road network. The A272 runs through the middle of town including through the historic market square. The name is an old one but easy enough to understand. The square is still the home of regular markets and is also used for many local events.
One of the regular fairs held in it is the Charter Fair. This is a fair held by a royal charter, the charter in this case going back to the reign of Edward IV many centuries ago. There are also much more modern Farmers' Markets and the French Market. The French Market, frankly, isn't all that special even if you are a francophile. (In fact especially if you are a francophile.) The Farmers' Market on the other hand is well worth a visit. There are plenty of stalls selling local produce.
The centre piece of the square is the Leconfield Hall, which seems to be pretty old (note to self - do some research). The bust of William III is interesting, but the building doesn't look quite as old as his reign. It is used today as the cultural centre of the town, a handy venue for social evenings and for more serious public meetings as well. It has its own website, http://www.leconfieldhall.org.uk which has a distinctive design and which lists what is going on there. I find it quite endearing that the website gives no details whatever about the history of the building or any background on its architectural significance, but does give a rundown of the state of the curtains inside. This is obviously a working building and not just an historical relic.
1 comment:
Petworth has not got a charter fair. It exists by a prescriptive right, which means that nobody knows how old it is but it was considered ancient even 700 years ago.
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