Bampton Town Hall

In the early 19th century Bampton was one of the few market towns in the county without a market hall; local business leaders decided to raise the necessary funds by public subscription to erect a building in the Market Square. The site they selected was open land at the corner of Cheapside and the High Street where weekly markets were typically held. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by one of the lords of the manor, Thomas Denton, on 8 August 1838. The lords of the manor, Thomas Denton and Frederick Whitaker, conveyed the site to trustees after the building was completed and the conveyancing fees had been paid. The assembly hall was used for magistrates' court hearings…