Market Place is enclosed by some of Southwold's oldest buildings. Among them, the Swan Hotel, which has been here since the 14th century, and “the oldest shop in town”, a butcher’s shop, which claims to have been in business for 300 years. In the centre of the square is the town pump. Not used for drawing water since World War II, it now functions only as a monument. It has an ornamental crown, herrings and crossed arrows. Market Place hosts a twice-weekly market.
