No trip to London is complete without a tour of the best London markets. Markets are the ideal way to make shopping in London more enjoyable, sustainable and romantic. Whether you’re looking for a farmers’ market or a fashion market, or want to eat street food or search for antique gems, come with us for our guide to the best markets in London.
What Can You Get in the Best Markets in London
- Food and Drink: Fresh produce, gourmet street food, and handcrafted delicacies.
- Fashion and Accessories: Vintage clothing, bespoke jewellery, and designer pieces.
- Art and Crafts: Unique artworks, handmade crafts, and quirky home decor.
- Antiques and Collectibles: Rare finds, historical artefacts, and vintage books.
- Entertainment and Events: Live music performances, cultural festivals, and seasonal events
15 Best London Markets
Whatever you are looking for, you’ll find it at the markets in London. There is a formidable range to choose from, and it is hard to decide which is the best market in London. Check out our list of the 15 best London markets.
Borough Market
Location: 8 Southwark Street
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am to around 5 pm
Near London Bridge, Borough Market is the perfect pit stop for a day of seeing the iconic sights of London. This is London’s oldest food market, established in 1756 and is one of the most famous and best food markets in London. The market used to highlight British produce, but nowadays, you can find a global array of traders. From British fruits and vegetables to international delicacies, handmade chocolate truffles, Indian street food and raclette, there’s plenty to peruse and tuck into from those traders and restaurants, which makes what to eat one of the hardest decisions to make in London.
Camden Market
Location: 32 Camden Lock Place
Opening times: Monday – Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Camden Market has four main entrances: Camden Market, Camden Lock Market, Stables Market, and North Yard. Together, they attract around 250,000 visitors a week, making Camden Market the capital’s fourth most popular visitor attraction and one of the best markets in London. There are more than 1,000 places to shop, eat, drink and dance. The market shows the independent, creative spirit of London’s funkiest district. As you saunter through the different markets, don’t be surprised to see grungy teenagers and old punks on the street corners.
Portobello Road Market
Location: 72 Tavistock Road
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday: 9 am to 6 pm; Thursday: 9 am to 1 pm; Friday and Saturday: 9 am to 7 pm
Portobello has been around since the 1800s and provided the setting for the 1999 movie Notting Hill. Renowned for its antique stalls, the market is in full swing on Saturdays when more than 1,500 stalls compete for your attention. The market is also one of the best clothes markets in London, selling vintage clothes. Beyond items of a bygone era, shoppers can also pick up some of the freshest fruits and vegetables, as well as spot what trends London’s fashionistas will be wearing next season. You certainly won’t be leaving empty-handed.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Location: Columbia Road
Opening times: Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
As a flower lovers’ paradise in London, Columbia Road Flower Market is on the list of best London weekend markets. Market traders line the narrow street selling flowers, houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs. It is not just flowers that attract locals and tourists. Columbia Road has 60 independent shops, including art galleries, cupcake shops, vintage clothes stores, Italian and English delis, and garden and antique shops. The market opens every Sunday, but the independent stores lining the street are open to explore all week. There is also a wealth of welcoming pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Brick Lane Market
Location: 83 Brick Lane
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 11 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Brick Lane Market, in the heart of Shoreditch, has grown and mutated over the years to incorporate five different markets known as The Truman Markets. Operating at its fullest on Sundays, Brick Lane and its surrounding streets come alive. Traders line the street with blankets spread with vintage china, decorative knick-knacks and furniture, and you will likely find a treasure alongside the odd inevitable bit of that. Alongside fruit and vegetable stalls, many street food vendors line Brick Lane. The area is famed for its brilliant curry houses and Indian restaurants.
Greenwich Market
Location: Greenwich town centre
Opening times: Monday – Sunday from 10 am to 5.30 pm
Greenwich Market is one of the best vintage markets in London and the only one set in a World Heritage Site. The market is a showcase for London’s designer-makers and antiques sellers. It is open every day, but weekends are the busiest, with 150 artisans selling an array of hand-crafted goods ranging from jewellery and food to clothes and furniture. Whether you come for the crafts or the collectables, you’ll always find interesting independent stores that circle the stalls and plenty of food options. A food fair is located just outside the entrance, serving stir-fried noodles, fragrant curries and burgers, among other things.
Broadway Market
Location: Hackney
Opening times: Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
Another of the best London weekend markets is Broadway Market, a Victorian street market situated in Hackney, North London. It now welcomes around 135 stalls selling a fabulous array of fresh produce, vintage clothes, flowers, coffee, books and groceries. There’s also plenty of delectable street food, including Deeney’s toasted sandwiches, Fin and Founder’s crab-cake burgers, Floris Bakery’s chocolate eclairs and the modern cult classic Yorkshire Burrito. In addition to the thriving Saturday market, over 70 shops, cafés, and restaurants are open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. From costermongers to greengrocers, everything that is fit to sell is on offer here.
Maltby Street Market
Location: Ropewalk
Opening times: Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Maltby Street Market, one of the best food markets in London, is a foodie’s paradise with a community. It’s only been going since 2010 and doesn’t open during the week. It has surprisingly managed to keep a low profile since – so it should be the top choice for any foodie looking to escape the crowds. You can find around 30 artisan food and drink traders selling everything from craft beer to Mozambique-style peri-peri meats. It is also home to some of the capital’s best craft breweries, earning them the nickname “Bermondsey Beer Mile”.
Old Spitalfields Market
Location: 16 Horner Square
Opening times: Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday 10 am – 6 pm; Thursday 8 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
The Old Spitalfields Market is housed in a historic covered space where vendors have traded for over 350 years. Circling the giant roofed market are numerous permanent boutiques, eateries and salons from many big brands such as Deciem, & Other Stories, Dr Martens and Diptyque. Traders sell arts, crafts, clothing and sustainable homewares in the two central concourses. On Thursdays, you’ll also encounter the weekly antiques market, with around 80 stalls selling vintage maps, books, furniture, fashion and collectables. Music fans should visit on the first and third Friday of each month for the vinyl market, where you can flick through old, new and collectable records.
Covent Garden Market
Location: The Apple Market
Opening times: Monday – Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
While Londoners might advise you to avoid the bustle of Covent Garden at all costs, this hotspot is beloved by tourists. Once home to the world-famous fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden’s Apple Market continues to support market traders, offering a range of unique handmade crafts and goods throughout the week. The market is filled with handcrafted jewellery, prints, watercolours, and beautiful crafts from Tuesday to Sunday. Every Monday, you’ll find one-off antiques and collectables. The colonnaded nineteenth-century Piazza building is also home to high-profile designers and beauty outlets, such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Mulberry.
Southbank Centre Food Market
Location: Belvedere Road
Opening times: Friday: 12 noon – 9 pm; Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm; Sunday: 12 noon – 6 pm (or 11 am – 9 pm when a Bank holiday Monday follows); Bank holiday Mondays: 12 noon – 6 pm
In London, you can usually count on a street food market to provide some of the best bang for your buck, and the Southbank Centre Food Market is one of the best food markets in London. With a massive choice of street food and drinks, the Southbank Centre Food Market is a must-visit – whether you’re a certified food lover or just hungry. Venture behind the Royal Festival Hall on a Sunday, and you’ll discover a cluster of small producers and independent food stalls selling delicious drinks and dishes from across the globe. There’s no better place to kick a hangover after Friday or Saturday night out.
Alfies Antique Market
Location: 13-25 Church Street
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Alfies Antiques Market is an absolute must for all antique collectors. It is housed in a huge Egyptian-style art-deco building that used to be Jordan’s department store. Across 35,000 sq feet and four floors, this Marylebone establishment is home to around 100 dealers selling antique furniture, retro clothing, jewellery, memorabilia, homeware and decorations. Everything feels carefully curated, and this is reflected in the prices, but if you’re serious about picking up a one-of-a-kind item, this huge antique arcade is hard to beat. Alfies Antiques Market also has a rooftop kitchen and café.
Victoria Park Market
Location: Gore Road
Opening times: Sundays 10 am – 4 pm
One of London’s most-loved parks transforms into a bustling food market every Sunday, jam-packed with delicious seasonal produce and street food stalls. Victoria Park Market is an idyllic weekend activity in the beautiful surroundings of one of London’s largest green spaces. This thriving Sunday market unites some of the best local businesses and suppliers in east London, and you can rest assured that whatever it is you’re craving, you’ll find it here. From cheese and charcuterie to burgers and burritos, there’s something for even the fussiest eaters to enjoy. Go with an empty stomach, or you’ll regret it. There are even some handmade treats for your pets to enjoy during a walk in the park afterwards.
Netil Market
Location: 13-23 Westgate Street
Opening times: Friday 11 am – 6 pm; Saturday and Sundays 10 am – 7 pm
Located a stone’s throw from the buzzing Broadway Market, the Netil Market is a draw for its excellent selection of street food and its collection of independent designers and makers selling their high-quality, craft-focused wares. Look out for handmade ceramics by Klei, award-winning smellies by Soapsmith, and delicate rings by WeAreArrow, which runs a studio in their shipping container on site. The fact that the yard is relatively small is to its advantage, giving it a friendly, family feel. It’s also right by Netil House – a great rooftop bar to visit if the sun shines.
Flea at Vinegar Yard
Location: St Thomas Street
Opening times: 11 am – 6 pm on Saturdays; 10 am – 5 pm on Sundays
Flea at Vinegar Yard is one of the best flea markets in London. It’s not like your typical flea market full of homeowner’s leftovers – each individual stall at the flea has gone to the effort to source good quality, unique items. Inside, there’s a mix of vintage coats, dresses, furniture, ceramics, and the holy grail of any market wander: antiques, vintage brocade, ceramics, signage, artworks, spectacles, books, magazines and vinyl. The stallholders are passionate collectors with a well-curated range to rummage through, plus plenty of expert knowledge. Basically, it’s impossible to go home empty-handed.
Find a Hotel Near the Best London Markets
While enjoying your wandering and shopping day in London’s best markets, you may need to find a place to stay nearby. Here are some suggestions for you regarding finding a suitable hotel near one of the best markets in London.
- Based on your interests, decide which market you want to stay near, such as the Borough Market, the Columbia Road Flower Market, or the Broadway Market.
- Visit online booking platforms. For instance, uhomes.com offers various accommodations, including apartments, hotels, and student accommodation in London. This website provides professional services and safe, convenient options to help you find your ideal accommodation.
- Consider amenities important to you, such as complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, parking, or proximity to public transportation. The distance between the hotel and your destination is essential to ensure convenience during your visit.
- Book in Advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to guarantee availability and potentially benefit from discounts.
Best Christmas Markets in London
Have you ever considered visiting London Christmas markets to get into the festive mood? You can find everything you need to make someone’s Christmas Day memorable at the best Christmas markets in London.
Covent Garden Christmas market
There’s something magical about Covent Garden come Christmas, and you will be dazzled by hundreds of thousands of glittering lights. The cobbled street and Piazza are fully kitted out with giant festive installations, such as a Santa sleigh. The market is filled with handmade crafts, unique Christmas gifts, and stalls selling mulled wine. There is a Christmas Sandwich Festival stretching from the Market Building all the way up to Seven Dials.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
The Thames looks ever so enchanting as it stretches along the Southbank during Christmas, reflecting the twinkling Christmas lights of the market that spills over its banks between the Southbank Centre and the London Eye. The Southbank Centre Winter Festival features seasonal food stands and winter pop-up bars that have become staples for Londoners in search of festive favourites, warming drinks, and an atmosphere of general merriment.
Kingston Christmas Market
On the Kingston Ancient Market Place, one can enjoy a European-style Christmas market in a traditional British setting. The Kingston Christmas Market is one of the most magical and best Christmas markets in London. There are cosy cabins and stalls selling artisan wares, festive beer gardens and a stage for seasonal entertainment. You can find everything you want, from handmade arts and crafts to beautiful decorations and stocking fillers.
Conclusion
The best London markets are more than just shopping destinations; they are cultural landmarks that provide a unique glimpse into the city’s diverse and dynamic spirit. Whether you’re hunting for antiques, indulging in gourmet treats, or simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, there is a market in London that is perfect for you. And if you are planning to visit during the festive season, don’t miss out on the magical Christmas markets that transform the city into a winter wonderland.
FAQ
What is the biggest London market?
The biggest market in London is the Old Spitalfields Market. It spans approximately 3,900 square meters of retail and leisure space, offering a diverse array of shops, restaurants, and seasonal vendors within its iconic Victorian market hall.
Which is better, Borough Market or Camden Market?
It depends on individual preferences. Borough Market is renowned for its gourmet food stalls and culinary delights, perfect for food enthusiasts seeking quality produce. On the other hand, Camden Market boasts a vibrant, eclectic mix of fashion, art, and music, appealing to those looking for a more alternative and creative shopping experience.
What is the most popular market in the UK?
The most popular market in the UK is Camden Market. Known for its vibrant energy, eclectic offerings, and unique charm, Camden Market has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Its diverse mix of stalls, from fashion to food to art, creates a dynamic atmosphere that embodies the essence of creativity and cultural fusion.
