The Town Centre Panel

The Town Hall

Lutterworth Town Hall was built in 1836 at the cost of £12,000. Designed in neo Greek style by Joseph Hansom, the building stands at the top of the High Street. The upper floor was used for the petty court sessions and the ground floor was left open to be used for selling corn and dairy products during market days. This area was closed in and the openings were turned into windows.

The Market

The right to hold a weekly market every Thursday was granted to Lutterworth in 1214. Towns which had been granted a charter to hold a market usually placed a market cross in the area, which indicated that traders at the market should uphold the faith and be honest, and this was the place where market tolls were paid. Until the later half of the 19th century the market was used for fairs for hiring servants or 'mop' fairs as they were called. These took place in September, and would have been very busy days with prospective employers and employees meeting and negotiating. In 1923 the market tolls and rights were purchased from the Earl of Denbigh by the Lutterworth Town Estates Trustees. The regular market has been the life blood of the town for centuries, and even today Thursday is a day for many to journey to Lutterworth to shop and meet up with acquaintances.

Morris Dancing

Morris dancers still provide displays of their ancient dances in Lutterworth and surrounding villages. The format of the displays we see today dates back to the 15th century, although they are believed to derive from much older pre Christian ceremonies. Although the meaning of the intricate steps and movements are largely unknown to the majority of audiences who stand and watch them, they are fondly enjoyed as an echo of rural life.

The Market Place Sculpture

The sculptor Martin Williams incorporated many strands of Lutterworths' history into his work. Part of the entry for Lutterworth in the Domesday Book of 1086 was incorporated 'Maino Brito tenet de Rege Lutresurde.' 'Maino, a Breton held Lutterworth from the King' The work also depicted many items associated with the town. Whittle's engine, John Wycliffe and the bible, a red rose, farming and produce to mention a few. The whole sculpture stood 2.83 metres high. Shortly after it was erected, the globe at the top of the sculpture was damaged by vandals and, for various reasons, was unable to be renovated. The sculpture was removed in 2002 by Lutterworth Town Council and replaced with a large flower planter - but will remain a part of Lutterworth's heritage as depicted on the Lutterworth Tapestry