Things To Do in London – Visit One of the Specialty London Markets:
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For a shopping and sightseeing experience that’s a little different from the usual tourist trail, head for one of the many specialty London markets on your London holiday.
The food markets in London are fascinating places to visit and even if you’re not intending to do food shopping, it’s fun just wandering around and seeing what foods are in season and what the locals are selling or buying.
There’s no better place to rub shoulders with the locals than at one of many London markets. At Borough Market for example, you’ll meet farmers and food producers from across the U.K. and beyond, have the opportunity to sample some of the specialty foods and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of one of London’s most charming food shopping destinations.
There is also an excellent range of tourist and specialist markets selling anything from antiques, foodstuff, flowers, clothing and gifts and the list below provides a brief description of the markets and opening times. Camden Market and Portobello Market are famous around the world and one can easily spend a whole day in each of these London markets.
If you want to have a taste of authentic London life, but prefer not to venture out on your own, you can always join a private walking tour of London’s famous Saturday morning markets and get all the inside stories from your local guide.
List of popular London markets
| Market | Description |
| Bermondsey Market Open: Fri. 6:00 – 12:00
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Bermondsey is London’s premier weekly antiques market, selling late Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian pieces, with all kinds of furniture, silver, china, glassware, ceramics and collectable items. Trade dealers come and buy here. Nearest underground station: Borough |
| Borough Market Open: Thurs., Fri. 12:-00 – 18:00, Sat. 9:00 -16:00
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London’s favourite food market, Borough offers imported and organic products such as cheese, wines, fish and meat. Borough Market was originally a medieval market held on London Bridge. Nearest underground station: London Bridge |
| Brick Lane and Sunday Market Open: Sun. 8:00 – 15:00 |
Brick Lane Market offers an interesting mix of fruit and vegetables, clothes and household goods. On Sundays, there is also a market in the nearby Old Truman Brewery where up-and-coming designers sell everything from fashion to jewellery and art direct to the public. Nearest underground station: Aldgate East |
| Brixton Market Open: Mon, Tue, Thur & Sat – 8:00 – 18:00, Wed 10:00 – 15:00, Fri 8:00 – 19:00 |
Brixton Market is a vibrant melting pot of African and Caribbean culture, which is reflected in its stalls and products for sale. With three hundred stalls, this makes Brixton one of Europe’s biggest Caribbean food markets. Nearest underground station: Brixton |
| Camden Market Open: Daily from 10:00. Very busy on Sundays |
One of London’s more popular and trendy markets especially for those looking for something a little different. “Camden Market is the new Portobello….” and haute couture designers like Galliano, D & G, Armani, etc. have been seen at Camden. It comprises several different markets, with Camden Lock attracting the biggest crowds. Read more about Camden Market here.> Nearest underground stations: Camden Town or Chalk Farm |
| Chapel Market Open: Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat.: 9:00 – 15:30, Thurs. & Sun. 9:00 – 13:00 |
Chapel Market is a traditional street market, selling products ranging from fruit and vegetables, fish, bargain household goods and clothes. Nearest underground station: Angel |
| Columbia Road Market Open: Sundays 7:00 – 14:00
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Columbia Road is the East End’s famous plants and flower market. It sells everything from plants and flowers to gardening equipment. Nearest underground stations: Liverpool Street, Aldgate East |
| Covent Garden Market Open: Mon. – Sun. 10:00 – 18:00 |
There are two markets here in addition to a range of shops and cafes: Apple market and Jubilee Market. Both sell antiques, clothing, gifts and jewellery. Nearest underground station: Covent Garden |
| East Street Market Open: Tues. – Fri. 8:00 – 17:00, Sat. 8:00 – 18.30pm, Sun. 8:00 – 14:00 |
A typical example of an English market, with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, clothes, electrical and household goods, all in a narrow street. Nearest underground station: Elephant and Castle (then walk down Walworth road) |
| Greenwich Market Open: Sat. – Sun. 9:00 – 17:00 |
Comprising 4 separate markets, this market sells everything from antiques to wooden toys, designer clothes, model ships and second-hand clothes. Nearest stations: Greenwich (BR), Cutty Sark (DLR) |
| Leadenhall Market Open: Mon.- Fri. 7:00 – 16:00
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One of London’s oldest markets, it is set in a beautiful Victorian building. It sells traditional poultry, cheese, game and meat and has many places popular with city workers at lunchtime. Nearest underground stations: Bank, Monument |
| Leather Lane Market Open: Mon. – Fri. 10.30 – 14:00
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One of London’s lesser known markets, it is a great place for lunch and for buying shoes, clothes, fruit and veg and electrical items at good prices. Nearest underground station: Chancery Lane |
| Petticoat Lane Market Open: Mon. – Fri. 10:00 – 15:00 and Sun. 9:00 – 15:00 |
Petticoat Lane occupies the streets and lanes around Middlesex Street, in the City. This market is very popular with locals and is renowned for clothing and leather goods and holds over 1,000 stalls on Sundays. You can buy fashion clothes, CDs, books and artwork and there are many shops and cafes in the roads around the market. Nearest underground stations: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Liverpool Street |
| Piccadilly Market Open: Tue. – Sat. 10:00 – 18:00
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Piccadilly is a crafts market held outdoors at St James’ Church. It sells crafts such as handmade cards and on Tuesdays it sells antiques. Nearest underground stations: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park |
| Portobello Market Open: Mon-Wed, Fri – 8:00 – 18:30, Thurs 8:00 – 13:00, Sat 8:00 – 19:00 |
Portobello Market is one of London’s biggest markets and is internationally renowned for its craft and antique sections. You can find almost anything here. Read more about Portobello Market here.> Nearest underground stations: Notting Hill Gate Station |
| Riverside Walk Market |
Situated underneath Waterloo bridge on the south side, this weekly market specializes in new and second-hand books and prints. Nearest underground station: Waterloo |
| Smithfield Market Open: Mon. – Fri., 04:00 – 10:00 |
Smithfield market is London’s wholesale meat market. Although open to the public, the market is over by 8am each day. Nearest underground stations: Farringdon, Barbican
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| Spitalfields Market Open: Wed. – Fri., Sun. 9:00 – 17:00 |
Housed in a covered Victorian fruit and vegetable market Spitalfields Market sells everything from arts and crafts, clothes, furniture to organic foods. It has become just as trendy as Covent Garden and several stalls sell organic produce and food. Nearest underground station: Liverpool Street |
| Whitechapel Market Open: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 – 18:00
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A practical street market, useful for picking up cheap household items. The market also sells Sari fabrics, eastern silk fashions, bedding and so on. Nearest underground station: Whitechapel |
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