An Exciting Guide to London’s Markets
London is a shopper’s delight due to variety, volume and price but when it comes to markets, London is a game changer.
Each of the 5 key London markets have their own unique style, specialist area and environment which makes it difficult to decide which ones to visit. The best option is to visit them all!
Here’s your exciting guide to London markets.
Borough Market
If you have the choice, Wednesday through until Saturday is when Borough Market is experienced at in full glory. Although there are souvenirs, trinkets and crafts on sale in smaller numbers, Borough Market is famous for food items – and food items Borough does absolutely deliciously.
Fresh baked breads, melt in your mouth cheeses, pickles and chutneys, sausages and meats, chocolates and cakes; Borough has it all. Fresh, tasty and in expensive, Borough Market is for everyone.
What put Borough on the map more than 1000 years ago was for being conveniently positioned for commuters. Borough market is located at one end of London Bridge directly between the southern end and the tube entrance that services greater London.
Now considered an institution for both Londoners and travelers alike, Borough Market is a place to meet, gather and peruse. Expect to be shoulder to shoulder with visitors, tempted by the incredible food on offer and feel like a true Londoner within a historic building that has served Londoners for generations.
Leadenhall Market
A striking building that is worth visiting for the stained glass windows and intricate detail alone, Leadenhall Market is a spectacular sight.
Dating back to the 14th century Leadenhall began as a meat and poultry market but has delivered much more to Londoners since then. Surviving The Great Fire, Leadenhall Market is now a place that resembles much more than shopping; this is a place to slow down, observe and enjoy.
The building itself is a junction of two arcades with domed ceilings and antique style sash windows. Atop the cobbled thoroughfare are café and dining tables for visitors to sit and enjoy between shopping at the boutique retail stores.
Expect an experience, rather than a building. Leadenhall Market can be one of the few London markets where visitors can relax while exploring.
Spitalfields
An East London institution, Spitalfields market attracts all the cool kids looking for retro threads or music, unique jewellery or crafts and all things that can’t be found on the high street.
Located in a large warehouse style building between restaurants, Spitalfields screams East London with the quirky, hipster vibe that is consistent with the area. Regardless of your own taste and style, Spitalfields needs to be visited by any person visiting London who enjoys one off items of quality.
Retailers to Spitalfields are carefully selected to ensure quality control and each stand appears to have a unique vibe about it. Although the market is open daily, weekends are when Spitalfields really comes to life and with nearby traditional English pubs, it is even more easy to spend a half day enjoying the sights.
Camden Market
Quite possibly the largest market in all of London, Camden in North London is more than a market; it’s a showcase of all the weird and wonderfully sights of London. Visitors can hardly walk a few metres without noticing human art with unusual hair colours, tattoos or piercings which add to the Camden appeal; it’s akin to a living gallery.
The market itself will feel like it never ends with stall upon stall of antiques, crafts, clothing, jewellery, homewares and food items. Once you have seen a few stalls you may feel like you are in groundhog day but between the chaos are certainly an array of interesting items.
Camden Market is open weekends and requires patience. Not the place for high end purchases but certainly the place for all things weird and wacky.
Portobello Market
Considered to be the market to choose for antiques and retro items, Portobello exudes a slightly classier presence. Located in the prestigious residential area of Notting Hill which is home to a large number of celebrity’s, visitors will find anything from vintage Gucci to retro cameras and brooches.
Positioned on a street that limits vehicle access during trade, it is as enjoyable noticing the items for sale as it is being in the fresh air. Food vendors and florists are also popular at Portobello and this is the kind of market one might prefer to sip a cup of tea at afterward. Don’t forget to check out the travel bookstore, made famous from the film Notting Hill which is near the market.
Words by: alexchasingdreams.com
@alexchasingdreams