Somerton Town Hall or Market House

A market was established at Somerton in 1255 and a market place was created south of the church. It was surrounded by a development of burgage plots known in 1290 as the 'new town'.

The market failed in the later 16th century but revived a century later when it was held on Tuesdays and a shambles house was built for butchers. In the 19th century the market declined and had ceased by the 1890s.

The shambles or market house, known by the 19th century as the Town Hall, was used as a local magistrates' court and by 1913 it had a billiard room downstairs and an assembly room above.

 The 17th-century building has been greatly altered especially in 1719 when the roof was raised and the upper floor was inserted.