London Market Guide
- Gavin with a "G"
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 30
When I was growing up, markets were an essential part of the shopping week. My mother always bought our fruit and veg from the market and as children, markets would be our go to for the latest fashions at rock bottom prices.
Today the London market scene has grown into a rich tapestry of consumer London, offering everything from high quality foods to quirky antique collectables.
Here is my London market guide to explore when visiting London.
Camden Market: The market is made up of three distinct locations: Stables Market, a historic area which has previously housed saddlers workshops, a horse hospital and stables. The cobbled yards are now packed with shops, restaurants and street food stalls. Camden Lock was the site of an early crafts and antiques market. Now it’s home to vintage, craft and vinyl stores, street food stalls and even a microbrewery. Hawley Wharf, next to the Regent’s Canal, is full of eateries and boutique shops, along with a Curzon cinema. Explore the food halls next to the canal where you’ll find tasty street food from around the globe.
Opening times: Daily10am to 7pm
Best for: alternative culture & food
Address: 54 - 56 Camden Place, London NW1 8AF
Borough Market: Covered by the shade of London Bridge, Borough Market is this city's most famous food market. it has existed in some form since at least 1014. Although it still operates as a wholesale market in the early hours, it’s now best known as a destination for Londoners and tourists alike. Show up ready to fill your bags with top-quality meat, fish, fruit and veg, fresh bread, cakes and sweet treats, oils and vinegars, plus specialist goodies you'll struggle to find anywhere else. Let someone else do all that boring chopping by hitting up the market's massive street food section, which has a dedicated covered area to munch down in – if you can grab a seat that is, because this market gets seriously busy when the sun shines or the weekend rolls round.
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 10am - 4pm
Best for: food
Address: 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL
Colombia Road Market: Situated in East London's hip Shoreditch/Hackney neighbourhood, transforms into a multicoloured frenzy of stalls and flowers. This otherwise unassuming East End street is transformed into a swath of magnificent plant life, the air fragrant with blooms and the shouts of historic London's famous Cockney stallholders. It's as quirky as it gets around here. You'll hear rushed deals and offers for a 'tenner' or 'fiver' (£10 or £5s) and because everything is so fresh, it's all got to be gone by 3pm!
Opening times: Sundays only 8am - 3pm
Best for: Flowers & vintage
Address: Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
Maltby Market: Nestled under the arches of London's railway line, Maltby Street Market is a lesser-known food market, offering incredible street food, unique local vendors, and a vibrant atmosphere. This hidden gem boasts some of the best eats in the city, perfect for a relaxed end of the week outing.
Opening times: Friday 5.30am - 9am; Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 11am - 4pm
Best for: Food
Address: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA
Portobello Road Market: Dating back to the 1800's, Portobello is one of London’s oldest markets and it provided the backdrop for a number of scenes in the 1999 film Notting Hill, starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. It is home to one of the most famous street markets in the world and offers a one-of-a-kind and special visit every time.
Opening times: daily from 8am to 6pm
Best for: Antiques, food & vintage
Address: Portobello Road, London W10 5RU
Mercato Mayfair: This indoor market is set in the Grade I-listed St Mark’s Church, where stained glass and grand architecture create a dramatic welcome. Since 2019, it’s been a vibrant food and cultural hub, offering international cuisine made with fresh, sustainable ingredients across three unique floors. As well as the main floor, you can enjoy a rooftop terrace, additional bars and restaurants in the crypt and a first-floor gallery with even more restaurants and seating areas.
Opening times: Monday – Thursday 8:30am - 11pm; Friday – Saturday 8.30am - 12am; Sunday 8:30am - 10.30pm
Best for: Food
Address: St. Mark's Church, N Audley St, London W1K 6ZA
Old Spitalfields Market: Open daily, it is the perfect antidote to the high street (Main street). This market brings together small producers with local creatives and artisans, original independent retailers and a few well-known brands under one historic roof. Home to a selection of carefully chosen traders, craftsmen, artists and artisans alike and picked for the quality of their product. You'll be interested in knowing how things are designed, the creative process and the artistic people who produce the products you’ll find here.
Opening times: Monday - Friday 10am - 8pm; Thursday 8am - 6pm; Saturday 10am - 6pm; Sundays 10am - 5pm on Sundays.
Best for: Handcrafts, gifts & food
Address: 30 Spital Square, Spitalfields, London E1 6DX
Greenwich Market: A must-visit attraction in the heart of this historic London borough. This Grade II-listed London market, situated in historic Greenwich (notably a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is an18th century indoor market that is as bustling as the area. Offering stalls, ranging from antiques, clothing, jewellery, homeware and food, it offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modern creativity, making it a top destination in Greenwich.
Opening times: Daily10am - 5:30pm
Best for: Handcrafts, gifts & Food
Address: 5B Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ
Duke of York Square Market: Duke of York Square Food Market is one of the City's most popular markets, set within beautiful Chelsea off the King’s Road. The market has been supporting independent artisans for almost 20 years, led by the fantastic work of John and Maria Shepherd. This is your go to Saturday food market for the finest food and drink in a wonderful setting!
Opening times: Saturday 10am - 4pm
Best for: Food
Address: 80 Duke of York Square, London SW3 4LY
Happy eating & shopping!
