The market place acts as a link between the Cathedral / the Bishops Palace and the high street area.
Today the market place is home to numerous attractive shops and on "market" days ( Wednesday and Saturday ) it has a thriving outdoor market.
As you walk around the market place you will see Penniless Porch - this is an arch leading through to the Cathedral and derives its name from the medieval beggars who used to congregate here.
Penniless Porch viewed from the Cathedral
Penniless Porch viewed from the market place
It is not unusual to see musical buskers here today.
Connecting the market place to the Bishops Palace is the large gate tower known as the Bishops Eye. Built in the 14th century its draw bridge has only been raised in anger once, back in 1831 following riots at Bristol's Bishops Palace during the Reform Act.
The Bishops Eye as seen from the market place
The drawbridge has now gone and been replaced by two large wooden gates.
As you walk around the market place keep your eyes open for the some brasswork in the pavement. This celebrates the Olympic success of local athlete Mary Bignal Rand. Mary Bignal Rand become Britains first female Olympic gold medallist setting a new world record in the womens long jump at the 1964 Tokyo games.
Plaque commemorating the feat of Mary Bignal Rand
The length of her jump is shown in brass markers close to Penniless Porch. if you wish to learn more about her follow this web link
A further memorial to Mary Bignal Rand can be found at the Wells sports ground ( south side of the city ) - here they have erected special gates to honour this athlete - see below