From antiques to gourmet food to vintage clothing, you can find it all in London’s best weekend markets. A tradition since medieval times, these colourful markets are delightfully overwhelming with hoards of people, food from all over the world and things for sale ranging from useless to rare. For me, there is no better way to spend a weekend morning than strolling through vendors, browsing through racks of handmade dresses while juggling a bag of fresh produce in one hand and a delicious spinach and feta gozleme in the other. If that’s not your cup of English tea, however, here is a little more about what some of London’s most popular markets have to offer.
Borough Market
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Tucked under the railway viaducts between the river Thames and Borough High Street, this market is a food lover’s paradise. Here you can join chefs, amateur cooks and people who just love to eat filling their baskets and bellies with some of the best food in London and beyond. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 130 rotating vendors offer everything from fresh falafel made with hemp seeds to white truffle oil. It sounds gourmet, and it is, but this doesn’t necessarily mean sky high prices. With so many deals and samples you can enjoy the magic of the Borough market on any budget.
- Borough Market
Brick Lane Market(s)
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Brick Lane on a Sunday is a one of a kind experience. Be sure to go hungry to this famous curry street because you’ll have a difficult time limiting yourself to just one option. In addition to the many restaurant promoters calling out irresistible deals and the food stalls in the Brick Lane outdoor market there are the indoor Sunday Up and Backyard markets serving up every kind of international food imaginable. After eating your fill of pumpkin chicken curry and empanadas (maybe a cupcake too) its time to shop! Both of the indoor markets, located in the Old Truman Brewery, have great artwork, new and vintage clothing and accessories and along Brick Lane you’ll find blankets spread on the ground displaying everything from a single sweater to a pile of African Masks.
- Brick Lane Market
Portobello Market
One of the most famous markets in the world, Portobello market overtakes Portobello road every Saturday and attracts crowds of Londoners and tourists alike. It is probably most famous for its antiques but the market offers much more than that with 2 miles of road lined with vendors selling fruit and veg, new goods, second hand goods, fashion, and lots of great street food too. The market runs right through the heart of Notting Hill, a spunky area that is worth checking out any day of the week.
- Portobello Road Market
Camden Market
Funky and original, Camden market is a colourful collection of all kinds of goods and all kinds of people. The shops here are open all week and are great shopping for those with an alternative style or if you’re looking for some cool vintage pieces. Sunday is the main market day with stalls selling absolutely everything at good prices, especially if you’re willing to haggle. With lots character and freaky style, Camden market is the place to get your goth on.
- Camden Market
Spitalfields
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A renovation a few years ago changed this market’s vibe from rough and gritty to more modern and trendy, starting a tug of war between loyal market goers as to whether the Spitalfields market is better than ever or a shadow of what it used to be. Regardless, the market holds and irresistible charm and is a popular place to shop all week long with lots of quaint shops, cafés and restaurants. Monday through Wednesday and Saturday too you’ll find just the permanent shops open, selling unique goods by individual designers. Stalls on Thursdays feature antiques and vintage, Friday you’ll find fashion and art and the Sunday market day is the busiest yet with all the shops and stalls open for business.
- Spitalfields Market
