London is well known for having a diverse and exciting market culture. If you’re staying in the city as part of a London hotel package, you’ll never be far from a city market on any day of the week. The historic legacy of London markets means that the city is teeming with versatile and bustling stalls selling everything from food, arts and crafts and all the way to basic homeware. Simply put, a Londoners week is never complete without browsing these community gatherings.
You might be used to the markets of other European countries, but there’s something unique about the wares on sale at London’s. Indeed, London is home to some of the best brands, designers and restaurateurs in the world so it’s no surprise that the markets of the city reflect this high quality. Guests at hotels near Lancaster Gate are well placed to explore these exciting happenings and get a taste, sometimes literally, of London’s character in both commerce and locale.
This blog will explore some of the best markets in London and how guests of central London accommodation can enjoy the many on offer in the city.
Portobello Market
One of the most popular markets for tourists, this highly instagrammable Notting Hill hotspot runs as a food and homeware market on weekdays and as an antique, furniture and clothes market on weekends. The colourful terraced houses lining the street as well as bougie canal cafes surrounding it make Portobello Market a must for first-time city visitors.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Taking place between 9 am and 3 pm every Sunday, this famous flower market in East London’s Bethnal Green area sells everything from Oliver Twist-worthy roses to houseplants and Christmas trees. There are plenty of nearby cafes and pubs too, making the flower market just one element of the weekend experience.
Camden Market
Another popular tourist market, Camden Market runs every day of the week and offers everything from Moroccan leather to goth band t-shirts. The area itself is teeming with life, and with the Regent’s Canal running alongside it, is a real sight to behold in the summer.
Brick Lane Markets
Brick Lane is most famous for its curry houses and bagel shops, but pop-up spaces like Truman’s Brewery hide a warren of weekly market assortments. The street food stalls on the narrow lane flood the Shoreditch hotspot every weekend, whilst the hidden warrens of vintage clothes, counter-culture zines and London-crafted jewellery all amass into a heady, sensory collage of London life.
Borough Market
Guests of restaurants near Lancaster Gate who have had their fill of West London should head on down to London Bridge’s Borough Market. Dating back hundreds of years, this food market sells everything from artisan coffees to British cheeses. With street food options and a come rain or shine policy thanks to its sheltered marketspace, Borough Market draws in tourists and locals alike thanks to its ambience and buzz.
Broadway Market
Every Sunday Broadway Market becomes one of the best spots in the city for homegrown street food vendors. Whether British Asian curries, Greek souvlaki or pizza, there’s plenty to choose from on weekends. Alongside food, other days of the week see clothes and arts and crafts take over the London Fields adjacent street.
Covent Garden Indoor Market
A high street-market hybrid, Covent Garden’s indoor market houses a range of independent fashion, beauty and accessory boutiques as well as high street stores such as Lush. With cafe seating in the middle of the two-storey market complex, choirs, brass bands and buskers can often be heard echoing through this famous 17th-century-dating vendor sprawl.
Greenwich Market
With its arts and crafts market located inside a sheltered warehouse beside Greenwich Park, the external courtyard of Greenwich Market houses a range of street food stalls with a true international tastebud span. Greenwich Market is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am till 5.30 pm.
South Bank Food Market
The South Bank Food Market is open between Friday and Sunday and offers a healthy offering of international street food, all from behind the iconic Royal Festival Hall. take your food to the banks of the Thames and enjoy the tastes of the world from the heart of the English capital.
Shepherd’s Bush Market
Opened at the brink of World War One, this market in West London’s vibrant Shepherd’s Bush area is a daily communal stall space beneath the viaducts of the Hammersmith and City Line. This gives the market a rough and ready London feel whilst the stalls sell everything from street food to kitchenware and clothing.
Brixton Village Market
Brixton Market has several locations in the heart of the south London Victoria Line terminus. These include the sheltered Brixton Village where artisan restaurants and cafes line the lanes all the way to the food and homeware market on the historic Electric Avenue. Brixton’s heritage and multicultural history add an eclecticism to the market that is rivalled by no other in London.
Walthamstow Market
The longest (but not the largest) in Europe, Walthamstow Market is situated at the other end of the Victoria Line and has a similar mixture of homeware, clothing and foodstuffs being sold on a daily basis. The market also plays host to Sunday Social at the end of every week, inviting in a range of international street food and ingredients vendors. Spanning around one kilometre, there’s certainly a lot to take in at Walthamstow Market.
Maltby Street Market
Situated behind the “Bermondsey Beer Mile” of craft breweries, Maltby Street Market is tucked away from the tourist hubbub but promises an equally sumptuous array of street vendors. You’ll need it, the local breweries and taprooms next door will need something to soak up the booze!
Spitalfields Market
Located between towering office blocks behind Liverpool Street Station, Spitalfields Market is an indoor collection of street food vendors and local arts and crafts, clothes and accessory sellers. The echoing hall is open every day of the week and is interspersed with bars and restaurants across its large span.
