Market Weighton tourist information

Market Weighton is one of the main market towns of the East Yorkshire Wolds.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the ancient town was granted its market charter in 1251. Parts of the parish church are Norman.

During the 18th century Market Weighton held the largest sheep market in the country at its September Fair.

Today Market Weighton's popular market is held every Friday.

The town's trade was boosted towards the end of the 18th century with the construction of a canal linking it to the Humber Estuary. However, the advent of the railways made the Market Weighton Canal obsolete.

Market Weighton stood at an important point on the railways linking York, Beverley, Selby and Driffield. Although the lines are now closed, visitors can walk along the Hudson Way which follows the tracks of the York to Beverley railway line, passing through some beautiful Wolds countryside before reaching Beverley.

Each May Market Weighton celebrates Giant Bradley Day in honour of the 'Yorkshire Giant', who was born in the town. Measuring 7ft 9in, William Bradley (1787 - 1820) is the tallest British man ever recorded. The Giant Bradley town trail uses footprints the same size as Bradley's to guide people round notable parts of the town.