03/09/2026
🏛️ EUROPEAN HERITAGE OPEN DAY – WALKING TOUR OF MARKETHILL 🚶♀️🚶
📅 Saturday 12th September
⏰ Starting at 10am
📍 The Old Courthouse, Markethill
Why not discover a little more about the history right on our doorstep?
As part of European Heritage Open Day, well-known local Tour Guide Lynne Brown will take us on a fascinating dawdle around Markethill, exploring some of the town’s oldest and most impressive buildings and sharing stories and facts you may never have known – or even guessed!
Many of Markethill’s sturdy stone buildings date back to the 19th century, with fascinating connections to the thriving linen industry and the Gosford Estate. Designed by notable architects and constructed by highly skilled craftsmen, they have plenty of stories to tell.
The tour will start and finish at The Old Courthouse and will take in:
The Chapel of Ease • Orange Hall • Bingham House • Dr Marshall’s House • Alexander’s Market House • Methodist Church • Old Railway Station • The Old Barn • Doyle’s Corner • 1st Presbyterian Church • Small Memorial Hall
On returning to The Old Courthouse, Lynne will guide us around this historic building and delve into its own fascinating past – including how, in 1993, when it was in very poor condition and listed ‘at risk’, it was rescued and repurposed by Markethill District Enterprises for the benefit of the wider community.
Today, this wonderful building is home to the popular Courtrooms Restaurant, Happy Hills Childcare and community meeting and conference facilities.
📚 And the history doesn’t stop there!
In the years shortly afterwards, an archive of local people’s stories, photographs and audio recordings was created by Adrian Mallon through the Bygones and Byways website.
Here you can discover even more about the history of Markethill, its local geography, the origins of the town and how it has developed over the years.
🌐 bygonesandbyways.com
☕🍰 And after all that exploring, why not finish off your visit by treating yourself to something tasty in The Courtrooms?
👩🌾🪴Or take a walk round the community garden at the rear of the property.
Come along, enjoy a leisurely walk and discover just how much history is hidden in the streets and buildings of Markethill.
You might be surprised by what you learn! 🏛️
