Tudor Merchants Hall, Southampton

This fine 15th century timber framed building originally stood in St Michael's Square. The upper floor was leased by the Town Council to the Keeper of the Town Cloth Hall. it was used for storage and sale of the woollen cloth brought into the town by all merchants who were not burgesses and freemen of Southampton. On the ground floor was the covered, arcaded Fish Market.

By 1634 the building was very dilapidated and no longer used as a market hall. It was sold to a prominent burgess, Alderman Edward Exton, for £20. He dismantled it and re-erected it as a warehouse on its present site against the walls of the Westgate. The building continued to be leased out as a warehouse until the early 20th century when it became an archaeological store.

Tudor Merchants Hall was restored in 1973/74 by Southampton City Council. The hall is now available for public hire as a venue for meetings, lectures, concerts, conferences, wedding receptions and private functions.

Venue type

Museum