Cardiff Market, Cardiff

Cardiff Market, also referred to as Cardiff Central Market or the Market Building, is a prominent Victorian-era indoor market situated in the Castle Quarter of Cardiff city center. The market occupies a historic site, previously the location of Cardiff gaol, with a notable past where Dic Penderyn was executed in 1831 at what is now the Saint Mary Street entrance.

Designed by William Harpur, the Borough Surveyor, Cardiff Market opened its doors in May 1891. Historical records suggest that a farmers' market has operated on this site since the 18th century. The market features two shopping levels: a ground floor and a balcony level that encircles the market's exterior walls from the inside, providing shoppers with a variety of vantage points and shopping experiences.

The market is accessible through multiple entrances—Saint Mary Street, Trinity Street, and an alley off Church Street. A distinctive feature of the market is the large H. Samuel clock above the High Street entrance, dating back to 1910, although the current clock mechanism, installed by Smith of Derby, dates from 1963 and was meticulously restored in 2011.

Since 1975, the building has been listed and is currently recognized as a Grade II* listed structure, reflecting its historical and architectural significance. The market hosts 61 independent businesses that include a diverse mix of stalls such as greengrocers, clothing boutiques, music shops, and hardware vendors.

Notable among the traders is Ashton's, a fishmonger that has been part of the market since 1866, famously located at the Trinity Street entrance. Ashton's has a reputation for offering a wide range of fresh seafood and made headlines in 2012 for selling meat from a 550 lb thresher shark. Another historic vendor is The Market Deli, a family-run business that has been operating for over a century and has been at the same stall since 1928, showcasing the market's rich tradition of independent and family-run businesses.