London Guide: London Markets
Bazaar London: The capital's medley of markets are a shopper's paradise
Daniel Allen
London's markets, with their colourful traders, huge range of products and ancient heritage, are a must-see, even for those not really interested in picking up a bargain or two. But if you are on the look-out for an antique camera, some fresh fish or the latest in distressed jeans, there's something for pretty much every browser or buyer.
From foodie havens to little known craft stalls, London's panoply of markets is rightly the pride of the city. Many have a history going all the way back to mediaeval times. Their history is the history of London - some have come and gone, succumbing to commercial pressures, while others, such as Camden and Portobello remain vibrant, hotbeds of trade (Camden's turnover actually makes it Britain's fourth largest retailer).
Here's our list of some of London's favourite bazaars. Bring big bags and a little money - and definitely bring your camera!
Portobello Road Market
London's Portobello Road & Golborne Road Market is one of the world's most famous street markets, with a history dating back more than 150 years. Renowned for its antique and bric-a-brac stalls and shops, it also boasts an eclectic range of fashion, food, crafts, books and music. Hundreds of traders sell all sorts of everything, old and new. Shop till you drop, and then recharge the batteries with some of the most cosmopolitan and tasty street food in the British capital.
Open: the main antiques market is held on Saturdays, although some stalls may be open on a Friday. The antiques market usually gets going at around 9 am - arrive before 11 am to avoid the crowds.
Nearest tube: Ladbroke Grove
Hotels for Portobello Market
The Portobello Hotel provides an atmosphere of extravagant, and even idiosyncratic, traditional British luxury very near Portobello Market. The rooms are spacious, with antique furniture, and facilities include an ensuite bathroom, minibar, tea & coffee machine, and safe deposit box. Breakfast gets rave reviews, and is brought to your room - even in bed, if you like! This being a boutique hotel, each room here has very much its own special taste and features, so be sure to choose the one right for you. Great complimentary Wi-Fi service. The Portobello Hotel is ideally located in London's Notting Hill / Holland Park area, just a short walk from Portobello Road.
Beautiful Rooms Near Excel Center are in east London, somewhat of a train ride from Portobello Road Market, but make up for the distance with money saved. Enjoy a stay in a simple, stylish room with all the basics required for a comfortable night. Spotlessly clean, with a workspace, includes breakfast, and there's even a garden on the premises. Guests highly rate the friendly, responsive staff and the reliable free Wi-Fi. Self-check-in, but with prompt, easy communication with staff via SMS.
Old Spitalfields Market
One of London's finest and oldest Victorian market halls, the history of Old Spitalfields Market dates back to 1638, when King Charles gave a license for "flesh, fowl and roots" to be sold in what was then known as Spittle Fields. Today this is one of the hippest places in London to shop. The market is surrounded by independent stores selling hand-made craft, fashion and gifts. Old Spitalfields is busiest on Sundays, but open every day (see opening hours below).
For those looking to dine after their shopping experience, there are restaurants and cafes serving food from all over the world, as well as bakeries selling cakes, pies and pasties.
Open:
Mon-Weds: general market 10 am-5.30 pm
Thurs (antiques and retro): 8 am-5 pm
Fridays (fashion and design): 9.30 am-5 pm (record fair first and third Friday)
Sat (general market): 11 am-5 pm
Sun (general market): 9.30 am-5 pm
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Hotels for Old Spitalfields Market
London Homes is reasonably priced apartment-style accommodation just 5 or 6 minutes' walk from Old Spitalfields Market. Enjoy an at-home stay with a living room with two couches, dining table, a bedroom, a well-equipped kitchen and even a washing machine. For independent living, locational convenience, and great value for money, London Homes is hard to beat. Some rooms are up to 60 square meters! Good responsive service.
Canary Studios are in east London, about 30-40 minutes by public transport from Old Spitalfields Market, but ensure an affordable stay in London, enjoying the capital's markets and more. The rooms here provide clean, simple, modern comfort, with the convenience of an electric kettle in each room, and the use of a hot tub/Jacuzzi.
Greenwich Market
With up to 120 stalls, Greenwich Market is regarded as one of London's best covered markets, drawing an eclectic mix of tourists, organic-loving locals and hip Londoners to Greenwich in east London. The market offers food stalls selling fresh fruit, seasonal produce and tasty food-to-go every Tuesday to Sunday. Antiques and collectables are Thursday and Friday, and arts and crafts Thursday to Sunday. The market is surrounded by a wide selection of specialist boutiques and galleries, bars, restaurants and cafes.
Open: 7 days a week 10 am - 5.30 pm
Nearest tube: Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Greenwich or Cutty Sark stations
Hotel for Greenwich Market
The Admiral Hardy is a bed and breakfast establishment right next to not only Greenwich Market but also the Royal Naval College, and with a view of the Cutty Sark from the windows. The decor is good, solid at-home British, while still offering every modern comfort and amenity, including an iron, tea and coffee maker, and hairdryer in the room. Spotlessly clean, comfortable, and with hospitable, helpful staff. For location, comfort—and a breakfast guests rave about—the Admiral Hardy comes very highly recommended.
Covent Garden Market
Located in the heart of London, a stone's throw from Leicester and Trafalgar Squares, Covent Garden boasts two markets - the Apple Market and the Jubilee Market. Housed in the colonnaded, nineteenth-century Piazza building, the Apple Market is the permanent market at Covent Garden that happens seven days a week. The Jubilee Market takes place in Jubilee Hall at the South side of the Covent Garden piazza. It is smaller than the Apple Market but it is still open seven days a week. Both are smaller than Portobello and Old Spitalfields, and a little on the touristy side, though independent retailers such as Eric Snook's Toyshop and the specialist tobacconists Segar & Snuff Parlour. Both markets focus on artwork, jewellery, arts, handicrafts, fashion and homeware, while there are also numerous cafes and restaurants.
Open: Covent Garden Piazza is always open, but the shops usually operate between 10 am and 7 pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from around 11 to 4 pm.
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
Camden Market
A collection of adjoining retail markets, the Camden Markets are located near the Hampstead Road Lock of Regent's Canal, which is also known as Camden Lock. A cornucopia of products are up for perusal and purchase here, including antiques, crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac and fast food. Together these markets are reputedly the fourth-most popular visitor attraction in London, attracting upwards of 100,000 people every weekend.
Established in the 1970's, Camden Lock Market was the area's original craft market, but now boasts a much more diverse selection of goods. The indoor fashion market at the Electric Ballroom opens on Sunday only. Check the sites below for a full rundown of every market. Look out too for the incredible 3D signage outside shops on Camden High Street.
Open: Around 10.30 am on weekdays and 10 am at the weekend. Over the past few years Camden Market has gone from being a weekend only affair to a seven-day-a-week operation, with the number of visitors on weekdays increasing as a result. By coming on a weekday you miss the worst of the crowds, but some stalls may be closed.
Nearest tube: Camden Town, Chalk Farm, Mornington Crescent
camdenmarket.com
camdenlock.net
Brick Lane Market
It was once said that if you'd had your bicycle stolen in London you'd probably find it on sale at Brick Lane Market. Thankfully the markets here today are more about retro fashion and accessories, furniture and food than petty crime. The Sunday Upmarket and Backyard Market at the Old Truman Brewery offer huge collections of vintage fashion, jewellery, music, art, crafts and bric-a-brac. Make a beeline for The Tea Rooms for antiques, retro homeware and great coffee in their hidden cafe. There are also numerous independent boutiques, eccentric book shops and a few big name fashion stores, plus a huge selection of top notch curry parlours.
Open: Sundays - go as early as possible for bargains, most stalls finish up around 5pm.
Nearest tube: Aldgate East, Liverpool Street
Borough Market
Borough Market is London's oldest fruit and vegetable market, established in its current location in Southwark during the 13th century. The market is still London's most renowned food market, with over a hundred traders participating, selling all kinds of food from all over the world.
Open: The full market is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am-5 pm, Fridays from 10 am-6 pm and Saturdays from 8 am-5 pm. It is also open for lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 am-5 pm.
Nearest tube: London Bridge underground station is right next to the market, and it is within easy walking distance from Bank, Monument, Tower Hill, Southwark, Borough and Mansion House underground stations.
Berwick Street Market
Berwick Street is located in the vibrant and diverse neighbourhood of London's Soho. It is the home of the iconic Berwick Street Market, supplying Soho's residents and anyone else who wishes to pass though with fresh food and drink, as well as vinyl, textiles, flowers, vintage clothing and other goods. In the 1980's, Berwick Street became known as 'The Golden Mile of Vinyl'. It has been an incredibly popular destination for vinyl collectors for more than 30 years.
Open: Berwick Street Market is open Monday-Saturday from 9 am - 6 pm.
Nearest tube: The nearest tube stations are Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market located in the heart of the City of London financial district, has existed since the 14th century which makes it one of the oldest markets in London. Its current form dates back to 1881 and is primarily a series of connected arcades, though the vegetable and flower market also still exists. Designed by Sir Horace Jones, the designer of the Smithfield and Billingsgate markets, its Victorian architecture and decoration has been seen in numerous movies. These include the first of the Harry Potter series and this has added to its attraction as a major tourist site. Leadenhall has been a listed building since 1972.
Nearest tube: The nearest tube stations are Monument and Bank.
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