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Here's the best of London's famous
markets. Most of these markets have existed in London for
hundreds of years.
1. Smithfield Market, 225 Central Markets EC1A
9LH
A lively meat market housed in gorgeous listed buildings in
Farringdon for those who can stomach the site of rows of carcasses.
In case you get confused, it's official name is London Central
Markets and incredibly there's been a livestock market on that site
for over 800 years.
DETAILS:
Open: Monday to Friday but closed Saturday,
Sunday and Bank Holidays
Try: You can book a tour of Smithfields Market
with City Guides but be warned, it's a 07:00 start.
More info: http://www.smithfieldmarket.com/
2. Portobello Market, Portobello
Market, W10
Dating back to 1871 but made famous by the Hugh Grant and Julia
Roberts '90s rom-com 'Notting Hill', this West London market has
both fresh food, fashion, trinkets and antiques in equal
measure.
For second hand goods, head to the section between the Westway
and Goldbourne Road - alternatively, antiques are nestled between
Chepstow Crescent and Elgin Crescent. The market itself stretches
for two miles, through the heart of Notting Hill.
DETAILS:
Open: 09.00- 18.00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday;
09.00-13.00 Thursday, 09.00-19.00 Friday and Saturday, closed
Sunday
Try: Don't forget to visit the Hummingbird
Bakery for its famous cupcakes. Plus if you get there late enough,
make sure you barter for any fresh produce.
More info: http://www.portobellomarket.org/
3. Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street,
SE1 1TL - between the Thames and Borough High Street
More info: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
This food market used to be in the poorer area of town but now
you won't get much change from £10 for any of the produce. But so
many locals swear by it, you've got to go down and have a few
samples. There's a meat market, fish market as well as fruit and
veg and snack stalls.
DETAILS:
Open: 11.00-17.00 Thursday, 12.00-18.00 Friday,
08.00-17.00 Saturdays
Try: We recommend the seafood plus grab a
burrito or wrap while you browse with chocolate brownies for
dessert.
More info: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
4. Columbia Flower
Market
The perfect East London Sunday morning, Columbia Flower Market
is good for meandering around on sunny days with 60 independent
shops and galleries lining the Victorian street plus there's lots
of nice pubs in the area for lunch afterwards. The reason it's a
Sunday market is because of an historic Jewish population in nearby
Hackney.
DETAILS:
Open: 08.00-15.00 Sunday
Try: Get hold of some rosemary, lemon thyme and
coriander or if the mood strikes you - a banana tree.
More info: http://columbiaroad.info/home.html
5. Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1
8AH
A must visit on any trip to London, here there's punk shops and
eclectic vibes all over the place. There's also everything from old
fashioned toy shops, vegan cafes and accessories boutiques as
Camden Market includes a number of different markets around the
canal, right up to the Stables on Chalk Farm Road. Wander down
Camden High Street for a nice selection of charity shops too.
DETAILS:
Open: Most of the stalls and over a thousand
shops are open most days 09.00-18.00 -apart from Christmas Day that
is.
Try: Souvenir and gift stalls on Inverness
Street or arts and crafts and interior design products in the
Camden Lock Market.
More info: http://camdenlock.net/
6. Brixton Market, Electric Avenue,
Brixton, SW9 8LX
Venture off the tourist track with a visit to the lively Brixton
market for fresh world produce at low, low prices. You might also
be tempted by the colourful nail art, wigs and fashion. There's
also now a Farmer's Market every Sunday morning, on Brixton Station
Road which is around the corner.
DETAILS:
Open: 08.00-18.00, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday, 08.00-15.00 Wednesday, Closed Sunday.
Try: Some Jerk chicken to eat, fresh fish to
take back to your apartment and cook up and some reggae CDs to get
into that Brixton feeling.
More info: http://brixtonmarket.net/
7. Spitalfields Market, 65 Brushfield
Street, E1 6AA
Again, Spitalfields actually makes up a few different markets
and it can get confusing as it recently underwent a bit of a
makeover. There's the Traders market which is great for fashion,
children's toys and home interiors, Old Spitalfields market and
also Spitalfields Art Market (on Market Street) - where you can
browse original artworks and photography.
DETAILS:
Open: 10.00-16.00 Tuesday to Friday and
09.00-17.00 Sunday (Trader's Market), usually Thursday to Sundays
on the first weekend of the month (Art Market) but check ahead on
the website as it runs every week in the build up to Christmas.
Try: The recycled/ upcycled clothes at Enienay
where you can do your bit to stop decent materials ending up in
rubbish heaps.
More info: http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/markets.php
8. Greenwich Market, Greenwich High
Road SE10 9HZ
Greenwich might seem a long way off but you can get there in
less than half an hour from Waterloo or Bank. You'll be rewarded
for your adventurous spirit with glorious, organic fruit and veg,
antiques and crafts.
DETAILS:
Open: 10.00-17.30 Tuesday to Sunday
Try: Greenwich Market gem Beauty and the Bib
make adorable bibs, as endorsed by mother-to-be Beyonce.
More info: http://www.shopgreenwich.co.uk
9. Broadway Market, E8
4QL
Really excellent food means that locals often shop here rather
than the supermarkets around London Fields. You'll can also browse
the clothes and accessories racks to hunt down something vintage to
remind you of London's eclectic style.
DETAILS:
Open: 09.00-17.00 Saturday
Try: Go say hello to John and Tony the barrow
boys who have been selling fruit and veg in the midst of the market
for decades.
More info: http://www.broadwaymarket.co.uk
10. Brick Lane Market, Dray Walk, Upmarket and
backyard market, The Old Truman Brewery E1 6QL
A great market to visit for the sights, smells and sounds if
nothing else, you can also part with some cash to bag yourself some
retro interiors accessories or jewellery.
DETAILS:
Open: 10.00-17.00 Sunday, Vintage market:
11.00-18.00 Friday, Saturday and 10.00-17.00 Sunday
Try: Hunting down a moden classic in the
haberdashery and ceramics section of The Tea Rooms, part of The Old
Truman Brewery.
More info: http://www.sundayupmarket.co.uk/ |
