The Covered Market sits between the High Street and Market Street, with its entrance on Market Street (OX1 3DZ). It is Oxford's oldest retail space, established in 1774 and designed by John Gwynn. The Grade II listed building has a vaulted iron-and-glass roof. It was built to move street traders off the High Street, and it first opened as a market for vegetables, meat, fish and herbs. The market owes its existence to the Oxford Mileways Act of 1771.
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Today the market houses more than 50 independent shops, cafés, delis and food outlets. Among the stalls, Ben's Cookies has been baking since 1984, the Oxford Cheese Company sells cheese, and David John is a butcher. A Taste of China is on stall 16A, and there are also Gulp Fiction, The Market Tap by Tap Social and the Oxford Doughnut Shoppe. For a sit-down option, Missing Bean, Society Café, Jericho Coffee Traders, Brown's Café and Lula's Ethiopian Café & Deli are all inside. Pieminister has a location here too, and it offers free home delivery over £45 and a loyalty app. In 2021, Oxford Preservation Trust restored Units 46-48, uncovering wrought iron latticework and original stone floors. These units are now home to Hamblin Bread.
The market is mainly a daytime place and is closed on Sundays. Some traders pack up before the official closing time, so going in the morning is the safest bet. On weekdays it is usually quiet for most of the morning, and it feels calmer than the High Street. It is also a few degrees cooler in summer. Seating is limited to a handful of stools and a narrow counter, so buying food to take away is often easier than finding a table. Oxford City Council has a £6.87m redevelopment in the works for the market, so some areas may look different in the future.
Getting there is simple. The Covered Market is a short walk from Carfax and is easy to combine with a stroll along the High Street or a wander through the nearby streets. If you want something more practical for planning your visit, the official guide and the local food guides linked below cover the history and the stalls in more detail.
Published Date
21 October 2026
