This view of Broad Street, Newtown, is from a drawing made around 1848. It is looking south along the street from below the Long Bridge over the River Severn.
It is interesting because it shows the busy street life of an important market town from the early years of the Victorian age.

The old Market Hall can be seen in the centre of Broad Street. It did not last for long after this drawing was made, for it was taken down in 1852.
Other market towns such as Rhayader also once had such a building in the middle of the main street, but most were knocked down to make way for the increased traffic of later years. The ancient market hall in the centre of Llanidloes is a very rare survivor.
The building on the left with the porch supported by pillars is the Elephant and Castle Hotel, which started as a coaching inn and posting house in the early 19th century.

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