There is something special about browsing at a market in London. Maybe part of the appeal is the thrill of the search and the possibility of finding something truly rare, or perhaps it’s the buzzing atmosphere and the coming together of people. Whatever the reason, visitors to London are spoiled for choice as it offers a huge selection of markets to appeal to almost all tastes.
There are markets to be found in neighbourhoods around the capital, both on weekends and during the week. These are ideal shopping destinations for everything from clothes and antiques to food and art, and the perfect place to find unique items.
With so many London markets to choose from you could spend months hopping between different markets. To help you decide which to visit first we’ve rounded up five of London’s best markets.
These iconic destinations are well worth adding to your London itinerary, as there is plenty of fun to be had exploring them.
Portobello Road Market
Notting Hill’s Portobello Road Market is London’s biggest antique market. It’s also one of the city’s oldest markets, as traders have been setting up stalls here since the 1800s. Today, this sprawling market offers much more than just antiques. It’s open every day of the week except Sunday, but Saturday is the busiest and best day to visit if you want the full experience and the most traders.
Take a stroll and you’ll find stalls dedicated to vintage clothing, food, household items, second-hand goods, and more. Of course, the upmarket suburb of Notting Hill is worth a visit in its own right. It’s a wonderful place to spend time, with a diverse range of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shops to make it worth visiting any day of the week.
Borough Market
Bring your appetite to Borough Market, located near London Bridge, as this famous food market offers a huge range of delicious street food from a range of excellent traders. There has been a market on this site since the 12th century, so a visit here is a chance to follow in the footsteps of countless Londoners from centuries gone by. Borough Market also has a popular wholesale market in the early hours, but today it is better known as the market of choice for London foodies.
The Borough Market Kitchen is a communal dining area with traders serving up a delicious mix of food options from around the globe. You’ll find jerk chicken, salt beef bagels, Basque pintxos, and more to choose from, making it an ideal spot to grab lunch.
The market is also a great location to buy delicious produce to take home, as well as freshly made pastries and staple ingredients like oil and vinegar. Borough Market is open every day of the week, but there are more stalls (and food options) to choose from between Thursday and Sunday. There are even market food tours available – perfect for the dedicated gourmands.
Camden Market
Camden has long been a popular destination for London’s counterculture scene, from the punks in the 1970s, right through to the present day. Despite gentrification in the neighbourhood over the years, Camden continues to retain much of its unique alternative spirit. Camden Market is now one of London’s most visited destinations, and for good reason.
This famous suburb is home to what are now London’s largest markets, making it an incredible place to shop. This sprawling set of markets, including Stables Market and Camden Lock, has stalls to suit all tastes. Expect to find vintage clothing, furniture, food, arts and crafts, and much more as you browse. Even better, many stalls are open seven days a week, so it’s always a great time to visit.
And, when you’re done shopping, there are plenty of superb pubs, restaurants, bars, and cafes to relax in. Keen to make a night of it? Camden is a great place to enjoy live music, with venues like KOKO, The Underworld, Dingwalls, The Dublin Castle, The Jazz Café, and The Electric Ballroom hosting a vibrant mix of musical artists.
Brick Lane Market
Looking for a fun way to spend a Sunday? Head east and you will find an eclectic mix of stalls at Brick Lane Market. The Vintage Market at the Old Truman Brewery is a great place to look for vintage gems, including clothing and homewares. You’ll also find traders lining the streets to offer everything from electrical items to fruit and vegetables. Half the fun here is the browsing, as you never know what you might find.
If you’re feeling hungry, head for Sunday Upmarket for a huge food hall serving up a delicious mix of meals and snacks. Brick Lane is also famed for its Indian cuisine, with numerous restaurants to choose from to suit all budgets.
Old Spitalfields Market
Just a short walk from Brick Lane in east London is Old Spitalfields Market. This covered market, located opposite Liverpool Street station, is open every day of the week and offers designer and independent fashion retailers, artisan food produce, homeware items, and art. It’s especially impressive on a Thursday when it also offers a good selection of antiques stalls.
It’s also worth looking out for the monthly Urban Makers Market for beautiful handmade goods, while music fans will love the fortnightly Vinyl Market.
We hope you find time to add some of these London markets to your itinerary. They are a great way to experience the vibe of the capital city and pick up some unique items. Markets mean exploring, investigating and being prepared to spend the time it takes to uncover the treasure you want. And there is no finer way to spend that time than in the capital’s best examples of this age-old trade.
