The market towns of the British Isles were a vital part of rural life, offering farmers and traders the opportunity to bring their produce to sell. Today, many of these traditional market towns still trade once a week, attracting locals and tourists alike to their streets. This book charts the history of markets in the British Isles from the small rural fairs selling harvested crops, to the teeming markets of London's Covent Garden, Smithfield and Camden. The author surveys the historic buildings and sites where these markets took place, and describes how they worked and what they sold. Accompanied throughout by color photographs, Markets and Fairs is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of British towns and society.