I remember the fabric shop running down one side of the covered market, with long rolls of tempting fabrics. In the 1970s I bought fabric there for making nightdresses.
DianaAdd a Memory


Last visit to Oxford
StephenI remember when I was at South Oxford Primary School (now apartments on the corner of Thames Street and St Aldates) our class went to the Covered Market to survey the market traders. It was the first time I had...
Lyn

A Royal Visit
HilaryI am a retired Police Officer. I joined Oxford City Police as a Constable in 1967. I went to Eynsham Hall for initial training 11 days after Amalgamation from Oxford City to Thames Valley Constabulary (later TVP). My first week...
PaulOutings with my darling Mum from Clifton Hampden. When I was about 5 or 6 I would put on my red coat and we would walk from the farm cottage to Culham station. A short train ride to Oxford to...
Julie

Memories of Mum
GeriFabric shop
1974
I remember the fabric shop running down one side of the covered market, with long rolls of tempting fabrics. In the 1970s I bought fabric there for making nightdresses.
DianaLast visit to Oxford
2003
My mother used to take me here regularly in the 50's. I'll always remember the wafting smells that came from different shops and sitting in a cozy cafe eating sausages and eggs.
StephenNew Sensations
2024
I remember when I was at South Oxford Primary School (now apartments on the corner of Thames Street and St Aldates) our class went to the Covered Market to survey the market traders. It was the first time I had come across kiwi fruit - they were sold as Chinese gooseberries then.
My other strong memory was when Field and Jacob, the florists, had a stall (at the High St entrance to Avenue 1, I think) and the lovely smell of fresh flowers as you walked into the market.
LynA Royal Visit
2017

I remember vividly when Charles and Camilla visited the Covered Market. I was walking on Carfax when someone told me they were going to the market so I hurried along to see them. I managed to get to the front of the queue thanks to a Security man and Camilla came up and said "Charles darling – come and meet this lovely lady". She asked me to whisper in her ear my name which I did and anyway Charles came up to me for a chat. Afterwards when I was at Bonners he came up behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and said "those avocados look lovely you should buy some" which I was going to do anyway. When they left and drove past in their cars both of them were looking for me and both waved to me. They were in separate cars so it was amazing.
HilaryNight Duty
1967
I am a retired Police Officer. I joined Oxford City Police as a Constable in 1967. I went to Eynsham Hall for initial training 11 days after Amalgamation from Oxford City to Thames Valley Constabulary (later TVP).
My first week was a Night Duty and each night the Covered Market was checked by Beat Officers. The keys to the gate in High Street were held in St. Aldates Police Station.
I did the check on the first night and much to my surprise discovered a man in one of the aisles. He had on his hands a pair of socks (to prevent leaving fingerprints). My first arrest and quite a significant one as the person was a compulsive burglar and subsequently received a custodial sentence at Oxford Quarter Sessions.
We confirmed to do nightly checks on the Covered Market right into the 1970's until l left uniform and became a Detective.
I doubt whether the checks are done now.
PaulOutings with my darling Mum
2024
Outings with my darling Mum from Clifton Hampden. When I was about 5 or 6 I would put on my red coat and we would walk from the farm cottage to Culham station. A short train ride to Oxford to shop or meet Mum's family. Then treat of treats Tea and Cake in Browns café in the Covered Market. I now live in Leicester and on a trip home not long after losing Mum I took my friend to Browns. At that time it was little changed and we had a lovely chat with regulars there about shared memories of Browns. For a moment I was in my red coat again and reliving an adventure with Mum.
JulieMemories of Mum
2023
I visited the market last September when I came home from Australia for a holiday. I always loved The Covered Market, as a child I was a bit sickly, and I used to have to see a doctor at the Radcliff Infirmary for regular check-ups. I hated going there but as a treat afterwards my darling mum used to take me to The Covered Market for lunch. Imagine my surprise to see that there is STILL a café in the same spot!! It would be 65 years since I used to visit the hospital. While we were at the market, I even managed to buy my daughter some sugar mice to take back for her. My mum used to send them over to her as special birthday or Christmas treats, and she always loved them. I will be back to the UK, maybe next year and I will definitely be visiting The Covered Market again as it holds so many beautiful memories of my mum.
Geri