Doncaster Market

The market was first chartered in 1248, and was held in and around the church of St Mary Magdalene. It expanded to cover a triangular square, north of the church, on the edge of the then-built-up area. The church was deconsecrated in 1548, and buildings gradually encroached on its churchyard. In 1756, a Butchers' Shambles and butter cross were constructed to the west of the former church, followed in 1778 by a New Shambles. In the 1780s, cattle sales in the market were gathered together, in Parsonage Yard.

In 1845, most of the market buildings were demolished, including the former church. A new market hall was constructed in the middle of the cleared area. The new building was designed by John Butterfield, and was two storeys high, with a U-shaped plan. In 1870, more buildings were cleared, to permit the construction of the Doncaster Corn Exchange to infill the "U", and project to the front. The corn exchange was designed by William Watkins and is five bays wide, with red sandstone columns, and a large lunette window.