London is a huge place with so much to see and do. A lifetime is probably not enough time to to experience all of the things happening there. London is always changing, too, making it hard to keep up. If you are a Londoner, you know that visiting a market is one of the greatest ways to enjoy a weekend. Whether you want to buy flowers or clothing or eat some great food, markets in the best London neighbourhoods have great options to explore. Here are five of the best markets you should visit in London.
Portobello Market
This historic market has been going since the 1800s, and it’s perhaps the most famous in London. At Portobello Market you’ll find a great mix of street stalls as well as shops selling antiques along the road. There is more or less anything you can imagine here, along with a huge amount of vintage clothing and antiques. This is a treasure hunter’s market for sure. Saturday is the best day to head here, but be prepared to spend a few hours walking, because it is very crowded and there are so many shops and stalls to see. Of course, with any good market, there is also some nice street food to go with it.
Borough Market
A vegetable stall at Borough Market in London, UK. Image via Wikimedia by Jack Gavigan
This is the gourmet lover’s market, because it is entirely dedicated to great food. There is a lot of freshly cooked street food here, ranging from Asian food to great burgers. There are also some great places to buy high-quality foods, like cheese, oil, bread, tea, coffee, and so much more. Borough Market is a place that you could visit every week and get your weekly shopping done. One of the best things about the market is that it runs from Monday to Saturday, so there isn’t any reason you shouldn’t visit.
Camden Lock Market
This is another market that has become very famous in London and is open every day of the week. The area was once a shipyard, and the market has been running since the 1970s. There is a wide mix of vintage clothing, artwork, handmade goods, and other interesting things. Camden Lock Market has a large variety of delicious street food to choose from, too.
Old Spitalfields Market
Located in the heart of London near Liverpool Street, Old Spitalfields Market is a wonderful place to visit on the weekend. It was built in the Victorian era and offers a fine example of a Victorian Market Hall. There are many interesting designers selling their wares, vintage shops, and food stalls and trucks. You can also head to Brick Lane Market from here too, as it’s only a short walk away.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Located in East London, the Columbia Road Flower Market offers something interesting for those with a green thumb. It is without a doubt the most colourful market you will see, with a number of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees available for purchase. Several stores also sell gardening accessories, but don’t worry if you aren’t a huge gardening fan. There are also great restaurants, cafés, delis, and vintage shops to look at, too.
I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best markets in London. Now it’s time to get out there and visit them for yourself.