[1] The building was commissioned as a market hall by the wealthy villagers of Steeple Bumpstead in the late 16th century.

[1][3] The design involved a broadly symmetrical main frontage of three bays facing northeast down Chapel Street.

[5] In the 19th century, the building was at the centre of a dispute between the lord of the manor, George Gent, whose seat was at Moyns Park, and the villagers as to whether it was the right of the lord of the manor or the right of the villagers to appoint the headmaster of the local school which was based in the building.

[7] The moot hall was subsequently used as a library and a meeting place for Steeple Bumpstead Parish Council.

[12] In 1986, a plaque was attach to the moot hall to commemorate the passing of 900 years since Steeple Bumpstead was mentioned in the Domesday Book.