With a wide array of groceries, tantalising smells of food, and the sound of vendors selling their wares, bazaars are the perfect place to showcase a city’s life, get a glimpse of a country’s or region’s culture, and experience the most nostalgic atmosphere of the city. The United Kingdom has a rich and diverse market culture today, and the authors went together to see what must visit the British market.
Borough Market
📅 10 am-5 pm
📍 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
Borough Market is a famous London food market that you’ve probably already heard of. With an unrivalled reputation for first-class produce, Borough Market is a foodie’s paradise and a great place to sample a wide range of cuisines. Many stallholders sell their own produce—the bread they bake, the cheeses they make or the meat from animals they’ve reared themselves. It is this connection with food that gives the market its authentic atmosphere.
Alfie’s Antiques Market
📅Tuesday – Saturday 10 am10 am – 6 pm
📍London, NW8 8DT
Housed in a tremendous Egyptian-style Art Deco building in Marylebone, Alfie’s Antiques Market has attracted collectors and buyers for over 40 years. Over 100 shops spread over four floors sell an eclectic mix of jewellery, homeware, decorative items, souvenirs, furniture and art. Because of the quality of the goods on offer, it’s said that there’s minimal haggling, and Alfie’s Antiques is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 6 pm. Once you’ve picked your favourite items, enjoy a meal at the famous rooftop café.
Columbia Road Flower Market
📅Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
📍Columbia Rd, London, E2 7RG
This weekly Columbia Road Flower Market is located just off the main street in Shoreditch. Every Sunday from 8 am – 3 pm (approx), the picturesque cobbled streets are packed with traders selling bulbs, herbs, shrubs, bedding plants and buckets of cut flowers. The Grandstand is flanked by around 60 interesting independent shops and cafes, many of which are only open at weekends. We recommend arriving early to get a more comprehensive selection of your favourite bouquets.
Broadway Market
📅 Saturday 9 am – 5pm
📍 Broadway Market, London Fields, London, E8 4PH
Since its launch in 2004, Broadway Market has become one of the hipster hangouts. Every Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, it’s packed with art students and East London creatives with tote bags full of organic groceries, vintage clothing, flowers, coffee, books or unique crafts.
Moseley Farmers Market
📅 Last Saturday of the month, 9 am-2 pm
📍 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8HS
Moseley Farmers Market is an accredited and genuine farmers market in the centre of Moseley village. The stalls sell various produce to suit everyone, whether it’s fruit and veg, cheese and wine, pies, beer or curry blocks. I’m told that most of the goods are local, with products reared, grown or processed by the stallholder. Of course, there will also be stallholders selling non-local food items, such as olives, fish, rare cheeses, coffee beans, and tea leaves, for the convenience of the community.
Hatch
📅 Monday, Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday 12 pm – 10 pm
Thursday 12 pm – 11 pm
Friday, Saturday 12 pm – 12 am
📍 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED
Hatch is an award-winning venue located on Oxford Street. It is home to over 30 independent traders who run catering and shopping venues. Traders include Takk Espresso Bar, Nano Brewery Öl, No.8 Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar and many more. Hatch brings together some of Manchester’s most famous food and drink traders and makers to offer a colourful and exciting programme of events.
Street Food Market at Piccadilly Gardens
📅 Wednesday to Sunday 11 am- 5.30 pm
📍 Piccadilly Gardens, City Centre
Every Wednesday to Sunday in Piccadilly Gardens (except from 23 December to 14 January), the Street Food Market features over 18 stalls selling delicious food worldwide. With everything from halloumi fries to Yorkshire pudding rolls, dim sum and chow mein to home-baked goods and Indian curries, there’s something to tempt your taste buds. A street craft market sells art, gifts, and vintage goods every Friday and Saturday.
Bristol
St Nicholas Market
📅 Monday to Saturday, 9.30 am – 5 pm
📍Corn Street, Corn Exchange, Bristol, BS1 1JQ
Established in 1743, St Nicholas Market is one of Bristol’s oldest and most popular markets. With over 60 stalls, it is a must-see place for many visitors to the city and has been voted one of the ten best markets in the UK. The market is divided into three sections: the glass arcade, the covered market, and the trading floor, which is full of unique items and street delicacies guaranteed to keep you entertained.
Edinburgh Farmers’ Market
📅 Saturday 9 am-2 pm
📍 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2EN
The Edinburgh Farmers’ Market is a weekly outdoor market offering fresh local produce, including meats, cheeses, baked goods, beers and a wide range of food and crafts from local producers. This weekly market is held all year round under the historic Castle Terrace. Here, you can sample exotic delicacies such as venison and other game meats, homemade puddings, chutneys, artisan chocolates and home-brewed organic beer. In addition to speciality foods, you can also find handicrafts, including leather goods, handmade soaps, and unique clothing knitted from wool. The number of stalls varies seasonally but usually includes at least ten stalls or vans, sometimes even 50 or more.
Cardiff Central Market
📅 Monday to Saturday, 8 am-5 pm
📍 Cardiff Market, St Mary Street, CF10 1AU
Housed in an impressive Victorian building, Cardiff Central Market has traded in various forms since the 1700s. Located in the heart of the city, the market is arguably the true beating heart of Cardiff. Under this huge glass roof, you can explore all kinds of Welsh specialities in-depth, from traditional Welsh cuisine to artisanal coffee and street food, vintage clothing, and second-hand records. Come and have a wander.
Brighton Open Market
📅 Monday – Friday 7 am – 7 pm
Saturday 7 am – 5 pm
Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
📍 The Open Market, Marshalls Row, Brighton and Hove, BN1 4JU
Brighton Open Market is located on London Road in Brighton, one of the most vibrant and eclectic areas of Brighton. The historic Open Market underwent a major redevelopment in 2014 and now brings together over 50 of Brighton’s most creative producers. With a focus on fresh and nutritious food, the market offers a wide range of produce and prepared foods, as well as a variety of locally made fashions, crafts, handmade jewellery, children’s clothing and toys, homewares and furniture, world foods, community services, gardening supplies and much more.
Woodside Ferry Market
📅 Wednesday, Thursday 12 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday, Saturday 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 7:30 pm
📍 Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead, CH41 6DU
Woodside Ferry Market opens in June 2019, transforming the former ferry terminal into a vibrant dining space – offering a wide range of mouth-watering food and drink. The market is open from Wednesday to Sunday, where you can sample a wide range of flavours and overlook unrivalled views of Liverpool. Food and drink suppliers at the market include Scooby’s, Haku, Joro, Caffe Cream, Fayre, Alex’s Pita, Ena Pa, Murphy’s Gin and Pausha – a wide range of international food and drink.
FAQ
Absolutely, and one shining example is the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this market is a celebration of Scotland’s agricultural bounty and commitment to sustainable practices. Farmers and artisans gather here to offer locally sourced, organic produce and goods, championing the farm-to-table movement and fostering a connection between consumers and the origins of their food. It’s a place where ethical choices pave the way for a brighter, healthier future.
Of course. Firstly, you need to go to your local council and apply for a licence. Then, find the contact details for the market you want to visit and rent a stall! Most market stalls cost around £10 a day for a small table. You’ll need to go very early on the day of the stall to get a good spot.
