Oxford’s Covered Market
Oxford’s Covered Market is one of Britain’s finest historic markets, operating since 1774 and offering spectacular Victorian architecture alongside vibrant modern trading. But the market is more than just a tourist attraction—it’s a working market serving Oxford’s community, surrounded by atmospheric streets that extend the market experience across the city centre.
This guide reveals everything about Oxford’s Covered Market, from its architecture and history to the best food stalls and hidden arcades, showing how to experience this market like a local.
Understanding Oxford’s Covered Market
Oxford’s Covered Market has operated continuously since 1774, though the current Victorian building dates from 1872-74. The market was established to replace earlier street trading and has served Oxford’s community for nearly 250 years.
Key characteristics of the market:
Victorian architecture: Spectacular cast-iron and glass structure, one of Britain’s finest surviving Victorian market buildings.
Food focus: The market is primarily a food market today, with stalls selling everything from artisan bread to fresh fish, from international cuisine to Oxford specialities.
Working market: This isn’t a tourist reproduction but a genuine working market serving Oxford’s community.
Atmospheric streets: The surrounding streets—Golden Cross, Gloucester Green, and others—extend the market atmosphere across Oxford’s city centre.
Essential Market Experiences
1. The Main Market Hall
The main market hall is the spectacular heart of the Covered Market. The Victorian architecture—cast-iron columns, vaulted glass roof, and atmospheric lighting—creates one of Britain’s most beautiful market spaces.
What makes the main hall special is its authenticity and atmosphere. The market has operated continuously in this building since 1874, creating a genuine sense of historical continuity. The light flooding through the Victorian glass roof is particularly spectacular.
Opening: Generally Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm (hours vary by stall)
Atmosphere: Bustling but atmospheric, especially on market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays).
Best for: Overall market experience, architectural appreciation, people-watching.
Architecture note: The Victorian cast-iron columns and glass roof are engineering masterpieces of their time.
2. Food Hall
The Food Hall is the market’s food-focused section, with stalls selling everything from artisan bread and cheese to fresh fish and meat, from international cuisine to Oxford specialities. This is where most locals actually shop.
What makes the Food Hall special is its quality and variety. The stalls are run by passionate traders who take pride in their products, whether Oxford cheese, fresh fish, or international specialities. The quality often surpasses supermarkets at reasonable prices.
What to buy:
- Brown’s Oxford Cheese: Local Oxford cheese, available from several stalls
- Fresh fish: Excellent seafood from the fishmonger
- Artisan bread: Several bakers sell sourdough and speciality breads
- International cuisine: From Italian to Thai, from Chinese to Middle Eastern
- Oxford specialities: Local products like Oxford sausages and preserves
Budget tip: The market is generally reasonable for food, but some artisan products are premium priced. Compare prices before buying.
3. The Market Café
Several cafés operate within the market, offering food and drink with atmospheric views of trading and Victorian architecture. These aren’t tourist cafés but places where Oxfordians actually eat and socialise.
Popular options:
- Brown’s Café: Famous for breakfasts and coffee, with market views
- Georgian Café: More traditional café offering full English breakfasts
- Various international cafés: Thai, Italian, and other cuisines
What to expect: Bustling atmosphere, reasonable prices, genuine market views. Good for breakfast or lunch.
Hidden Market Gems
4. Golden Cross Arcade
Golden Cross Arcade connects the Covered Market to the High Street, creating a spectacular Victorian shopping arcade with atmospheric lighting and distinctive character. The arcade has small shops and cafés extending the market experience.
What makes Golden Cross Arcade special is its architectural beauty and atmospheric character. The Victorian details—lighting, shopfronts, glass roof—create a spectacular shopping experience that’s surprisingly quiet compared to nearby streets.
Opening: Generally follows shop hours (approximately 9am-6pm)
What to expect: Spectacular Victorian arcade, small shops, atmospheric lighting. Allow 10-15 minutes.
Photography: The arcade is particularly photogenic, especially in atmospheric lighting.
5. Gloucester Green Market
Gloucester Green Market (not to be confused with Gloucester Green itself) is a smaller market area that extends the covered market experience. The area has outdoor stalls and additional food options, creating a more informal market atmosphere.
What makes Gloucester Green Market special is its informality and community feel. This is where Oxfordians grab lunch, buy fresh produce, and socialise. The atmosphere is less touristy than the main covered market.
Opening: Generally Tue, Thu, Sat market days (times vary)
What to expect: Outdoor stalls, fresh produce, informal community market. Allow 15-20 minutes.
Note: This is where locals actually shop more regularly than the tourist-focused covered market.
6. Market Street Arcades
Market Street runs alongside the covered market and contains several atmospheric arcades and small courts. These hidden spaces extend the market experience beyond the main hall, offering atmospheric shopping and dining.
Key arcades:
- Martyr’s Arcade: Small Victorian arcade with atmospheric shops
- Market Street courts: Small courts with cafés and specialist shops
What to expect: Atmospheric hidden spaces, small specialist shops, atmospheric dining. Allow 10-15 minutes each.
Market Shopping Tips
What to buy:
- Oxford cheese: Buy from Brown’s Oxford Cheese or similar stalls
- Fresh fish: The fishmonger offers excellent quality
- Artisan bread: Several bakers offer sourdough and specialities
- International food: Authentic ingredients for various cuisines
- Local produce: Fruit and veg, meat, and other fresh products
Best times to visit:
- Early morning (8-10am): Fresh produce, fewest crowds
- Market days (Tue, Thu, Sat): Most stalls open, maximum variety
- Late morning (10am-12pm): Bustling but atmospheric
- Early afternoon (12-2pm): Good food selection
What to avoid:
- Late afternoon (3-5pm): Selection reduced, stalls closing
- Sunday: Limited opening, reduced variety
Market Food Recommendations
Must-try foods:
- Brown’s Oxford Cheese: Oxford’s distinctive local cheese
- Fish and chips: Excellent quality from market fishmonger
- International street food: Thai, Italian, Chinese, Middle Eastern
- Artisan pastries: Several excellent bakers
- Oxford sausages: Local speciality
Budget options:
- Lunch deals: Several cafés offer lunch specials (approximately £6-10)
- Market sandwiches: Stalls offer good value sandwiches
- International snacks: Street food stalls offer good value
Splurge options:
- Oxford cheese specialty selections: Premium local cheeses
- Artisan bread: High-quality sourdough and specialities
- Fresh seafood: Premium fish and shellfish
Market Heritage and History
1774: Original covered market established on this site.
1872-74: Current Victorian building constructed, replacing earlier structures.
19th century: Market flourished as Oxford expanded, serving growing population.
Early 20th century: Market continued operating through world wars and economic changes.
Late 20th century: Market faced challenges from supermarkets but maintained trading.
21st century: Market revitalised with food focus, becoming both working market and tourist attraction.
The market’s survival for nearly 250 years demonstrates its importance to Oxford’s community and city life.
Market Photography Tips
Main hall: Spectacular Victorian architecture, particularly in morning light.
Glass roof: Photograph from below looking up at Victorian ironwork and glass.
Food stalls: Close-ups of food displays, particularly artisan products.
Arcades: Golden Cross and other arcades are atmospheric, particularly in softer light.
People: Market scenes showing trading and community are particularly atmospheric.
Seasons: Each season offers different opportunities:
- Spring: Fresh spring produce, Easter specialities
- Summer: Outdoor stalls in Gloucester Green, summer produce
- Autumn: Autumn produce, warming food
- Winter: Atmospheric winter lighting, comfort food
Market Etiquette
Don’t block access: Stalls need space to operate. Don’t block passageways with shopping bags or photography.
Ask before photographing: Some stalls don’t allow photography of food. Always ask first.
Be patient: Stalls can be busy. Wait your turn and don’t push.
Support local traders: Buy from market traders rather than chains. They’re Oxfordians running businesses.
Keep it clean: Don’t leave rubbish. Use bins provided.
Combining Market with Other Oxford Activities
Oxford’s city centre has more than the market:
High Street: Oxford’s main shopping street, just outside the market.
Bodleian Library: World-class library (entry fee varies by access level).
Radcliffe Camera: Spectacular library building (free to view exterior, charges for interior).
Oxford Castle: Historic castle with exhibitions (entry fee).
Pubs: Traditional Oxford pubs around market area.
Seasonal Market Experiences
Spring: Fresh spring produce, Easter specialities, good weather for market exploration.
Summer: Outdoor stalls at Gloucester Green, best produce variety, long days.
Autumn: Autumn produce, comfort food, atmospheric autumn light.
Winter: Atmospheric winter lighting, comfort food, fewer crowds.
A Final Thought
Oxford’s Covered Market is more than a tourist attraction—it’s a genuine working market that has served Oxford’s community for nearly 250 years. The spectacular Victorian architecture, quality food stalls, and atmospheric surrounding streets create a complete market experience that extends across Oxford’s city centre.
The key to enjoying the market is to experience it like a local. Browse the food hall where Oxfordians actually shop, eat in the cafés where people eat regularly, explore the hidden arcades that extend the market experience beyond the main hall.
Oxford’s market represents something increasingly rare—a genuine working market serving its community rather than just tourists. The quality, atmosphere, and authenticity make it one of Britain’s finest market experiences.
So visit the market, eat the food, and experience a piece of Oxford’s living heritage. The market is where Oxford’s community trades, eats, and socialises—just as it has for centuries.
This guide reveals Oxford’s Covered Market, from its spectacular Victorian architecture and history to the best food stalls and hidden arcades. The market is a genuine working market that has served Oxford’s community for nearly 250 years. Experience it like a local and discover one of Britain’s finest historic markets.