Higham Ferrers contains many historic buildings around the Market Square and College Street. The first Charter of 1251 was due to the Lord of the Manor, William de Ferrers, who created the Borough in order to promote a prosperous community at the gates of his castle, where people had begun to settle in numbers and to trade in the ancient market. Henry Chichele (c. 1364 – 12 April 1443) was born in Higham Ferrers. He was Archbishop of Canterbury and founded All Souls College, Oxford.

Higham Ferrers Farmers Market is held in the Market Square between 9am and 1pm on the last Saturday of each month. The Farmers Market is a very successful monthly market (last Saturday of the month) with over 20 stalls each offering something different. A wonderful range of produce is available including; pies, organic eggs and free range poultry, organic pork and lamb, crayfish fishcakes, pickles, chilli sauces, bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables, plants, and variety of cakes!