In the centre of Llanidloes you can find one of the most remarkable historic buildings in Wales, the Old Market Hall, built between 1612 and 1622. It is the oldest timber-framed market hall in Wales still in its original position and was used as a marketplace and an occasional courthouse.
Llanidloes got its market charter in 1280 and held a weekly market for centuries in the town centre. In late medieval times the first market hall was erected and the building we see today was built in the beginning of the 17th C.
Market stalls were set up in the cobbled ground floor area. The Hall was originally called Booth Hall after the booths or stalls used by merchants to display their wares.
The first floor chamber was used as a law court, a wool market, a preacher’s hall and a banqueting hall. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached to the crowds not less than three times in the downstairs open area.
