There is no doubt that London has one of the most diverse market scenes around. Some have achieved international fame for their wealth of antiques, vintage goods and even gourmet delights. I had a friend who would travel to a particular London Market on a regular basis and come back with the most amazing leather goods. No matter what you are searching for or what finds you, London has a market to fulfill your needs.
If you are look for a deep dive into London, look no further than the markets found all around town. At the markets you get a subset of what London is all about. Artisans from all over share their crafts with explorers looking for something special.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit London on numerous occasions. Outside of the two countries I have lived in, I probably have more passport stamps from the UK than anywhere else (back when they would actually stamp your passport). Most of those visits have been to London. And let’s face it, there are only so many times you can stare at Big Ben, watch the changing of the guard at Westminster of do a river cruise up the Thames before you’ve had enough. The markets of London are a great distraction from sightseeing. Albeit you are sure to see a few sights at the markets. If you are heading to London, these markets should be on your must-visit list.
London Market Hopping
With so many markets to explore, it can be easy to get lost and not know where to start. Let me settle that for you. There is no best place to start but there are better times than others to visit some of the markets. As you might imagine, mornings are less crowded and foodie centric markets are busiest around lunch time. So I will break this down by interest and you can let that be your guide. If you only have short amount of time in London, check out my blog How to Spend Two Magical Days in London which includes a few of the markets listed here.
Antiques and Vintage Goods
Portobello Road Market
Here since the 1800s, this market is well known for unique vintage pieces, rare books, and antique jewelry. It’s not hard to find as hoards of people head to the heart of Notting Hill on the weekends in search of something special. We all want to be that person on Antique Roadshow being surprised we learn something we spent $5 USD on is worth thousands. But beware, this market doesn’t just have artisans selling goods. There are a fair amount of items that were bought in bulk online somewhere that people are passing off as authentic. Take your time and seek out those items that are truly unique.
Best Time to Visit: Friday mornings for antiques and less crowds or Saturdays for the full experience.
Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane Market is the epitome of East London’s edgy and artistic vibe. This market is best known for its vintage clothing and retro furniture. It’s a hotspot for creatives and trendsetters. There are multiple markets that make up the area so you’ll need to keep an eye out for different streets and marked corridors leading to them. If you are into Burberry, you are in luck. There are several vendors selling vintage Burberry items throughout the market. Keep following the different lanes and enter new doors to discover some of the best vintage goods around.
Best Time to Visit: Sundays there are more than 200 stalls. Weekdays are a lot less crowded making it easier to explore uninhibited.
Alternative Fashion and Crafts
Camden Market
This market is renowned for alternative fashion, unique crafts and vintage goods. More than 1,000 shops, stalls, cafes and bars fill indoor and outdoor venues to make up this market. Fun fact, this neighborhood has a life-sized statue and a full wall portrait of the iconic late soulstress Amy Winehouse. This was one of my favorite markets to visit because of the sheer variety of goods found here.
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in the morning
Covent Garden Market
This market is known for its high-end crafts and live street performances. Since it’s in the busier part of the city, you’ll also be close to stores selling luxury goods. Once you arrive, head to the Apple Market section to find British-made crafts and accessories. It’s easy to spend more than a few dollars here. Grab a bite to eat while you’re here and if you are lucky you may get to enjoy some of the lively street performers in the Piazza.
Best Time to Visit: Early afternoons during the week.
Old Spitalfields Market
Built in 1876, this market is one of the remaining Victorian market halls in London. Once per month you can experience the Urban Makers Market here where you’ll find cutting edge fashion and accessories. On regular days, you’ll find artisans selling all types of creative goods from crochet superheroes to clocks made from old vinyl records. There are a healthy amount food vendors around with the longer lines for the Truffle Pizza. It’s one of the quieter markets around. Making it a more peaceful experience. Along the streets outside the market you’ll find some nice shops and some cool elephant statues.
Best Time to Visit: On Sundays, find pieces from up-and-coming designers here.
Gourmet Food and Artisanal Produce
Truth be told, most of the markets in London will have food stalls/vendors. But there are a few standouts that have sent my tastebuds into overdrive over the years. Starting with the iconic Borough Market.
Borough Market
Borough Market is a haven for foodies. In this market you can find an array of gourmet delights, from fresh produce and rare cheeses to decadent pastries. It’s also extremely busy. Lines for some of the food stalls have long wait times in the more popular parts of the market. But if you wade your way through the crowds, you’ll find a few stand alone restaurants that are a bit easier to navigate in the outside spaces.
Best time to visit: Weekdays before 11 am to avoid the crowds.
Seven Dials Market
This market also has an impressive selection of food stalls. It’s one of the best street food markets around. There’s lots of seating and two bars inside which means you won’t have to balance your food and drinks as you eat. With plenty of seating around you can linger and enjoy the music and the vibes. A couple of the places even offer table bookings for larger groups.
Best Time to Visit: Weekends for the full experience.
Market Hall – Oxford Street
The escalator here has become known as the ‘Stairway to Food Heaven’. Once you visit, you’ll understand why. While there are a few Market Halls across London, this one is in the middle of everything. Making it an ideal stop for a midday break from all of your shopping. Here you will find vendors selling delights from Thai to Mexican and everything in between. There are delicious bites to satisfy any cravings. There’s also plenty of tables and seats which we definitely appreciated.
Best time to visit: Open seven days a week and busiest during lunch. Stop in for Happy Hour Monday – Friday from 3 to 6.
There are far too many markets around London to truly visit all of them. The ones above are the more renowned and easily the busiest in the city. But keep an eye out for the smaller pop up markets around town where you may get lucky with bespoke vendors and unique finds.
Maximizing Your Time
If you’re eager to maximize your market experience in London, some markets are conveniently located near each other, allowing you to explore multiple markets in a single day. You could easily build a day around Borough Market and Covent Garden Market. Take the Northern Line from London Bridge to Leicester Square, then it’s a short walk to Covent Garden.
Alternatively, start your day at Camden Market and spend your afternoon at Portobello Road Market. It’s about 30 minutes by tube using the Northern and the Central Line. There is one train change on this route, so keep an eye out for the Tottenham Court Road stop where you can jump over and take the Central Line to Notting Hill Gate.
Market Etiquette
Markets can get incredibly busy throughout the day. There are few things that will ensure you have a more pleasant experience at the markets.
First, markets can get crowded. Be mindful of standing too long in one spot especially in narrow aisles. This is important for making sure the flow of foot traffic isn’t disrupted. Avoid blocking stalls or lingering if you aren’t genuinely interested in the item. Be aware of others who may be waiting to browse to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Second, haggling. You may have the urge to treat all markets like a yard sale where you can haggle for pricing to get a better deal. In some cases, this behavior is acceptable (think Portobello Road Market). But in other markets, not so much. In the more upscale markets like Covent Garden, prices are often fixed. It doesn’t hurt to ask but haggling is frowned upon.
Finally, sampling or trying on. Food markets like Borough Market, encourage shoppers to sample products. Vendors are incredibly proud of the products they produce. A simple taste is the hook for a sale. Be respectful and don’t take multiple samples without the intent to purchasing anything. While most clothing markets won’t have an official changing room, you want to be confident that the garment will work before you leave. Most have a no returns/refund policy.
My Perspective
While your visit to London might be filled with photos of swans in Hyde Park and hoards of people at Piccadilly Circus, you’ll find exploring London markets an adventure in itself. In fact, besides catching up over drinks with friends it’s one of my favorite things to do in London. Peel yourself away from bigger stores like Harrods and Selfridges to seek out these trip worthy London markets. You are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience.
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FAQs: Exploring London’s Markets
What is London’s most famous market?
London’s most famous market is Borough Market, known for its rich history and wide variety of gourmet food offerings. Located near London Bridge, Borough Market is a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking artisanal produce, street food, and specialty ingredients. Its iconic status makes it a must-visit for food lovers in the city.
What is the difference between Camden Market and Portobello market?
The main difference between Camden Market and Portobello Market is their focus and atmosphere. Camden Market is known for its alternative fashion, eclectic street art, and a variety of quirky shops, attracting a younger, creative crowd. Portobello Market, on the other hand, is famous for its antiques, vintage finds, and traditional market stalls, offering a more historic and classic market experience.
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