The Old Cattle Market

Watch out for escaped cows!

By Edna

Cattle market
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
Cattle market
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
Cattle market
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

The old cattle market was where the bus station is now situated, and moved from that site back in the 1980s as part of the town centre development. It moved initially to Caxton Hill.

As a schoolgirl, I would travel over from Enfield to see the monthly market for horses. Often at the weekly cattle markets a cow would escape and bring the town to a standstill!

Maidenhead Street was a two-way street then, and it would be closed on Saturdays, probably because it was market day.

This page was added on 19/04/2010.

Add your comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.

  • In the 1950’s my grandfather often took me the livestock market. We travelled by horse and cart ( he never had a car or any mechanized vehicle on his small Hoddesdon farm ) sometimes with a few pigs aboard to be sold at market. I was about 10 when he instructed me to bid on and purchase some pigeons for our supper, I was too nervous and did not comply and he was furious with me. Some of the happiest days of my life!

    By HENRY IVAN STRUMINGER (08/11/2021)
  • Yes the cattle was behind the ram inn. Monday’s was cattle market day.and the poultry market was up London road where the car park is now next to the fire station.

    By Maggie crane (16/06/2020)
  • Yes, the cattle market was behind the Ram inn, a few doors down from Norris and Duvall. My mother used to take scrambled egg sandwiches to my father on Monday, market day. It was noisy and smelly! The market was then moved to Caxton hill and had a small cafeteria…so no more egg sandwiches!

    By Steve Crozier (12/05/2017)
  • I don’t remember a cattle market where the bus station is – I lived in a house overlooking the bus station from 1947 to the 1980s. I do remember the cattle market being at Caxton Hill and before that, behind the Ram Inn.

    By Chris Parker (nee Savage) (26/03/2014)
  • The pictures bring back memories. My father Graham Beeson was in partnership at Norris and Duvall 106 Fore street and the auctioneer, I spent many times at the Cattle Market where he sold cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens and sundry items.

    By sarah beeson (12/09/2013)
  • Am I right in thinking there was a cattle market behind the Ram Inn in Fore Street.

    By Tony Bradshaw (29/08/2013)