Best Street Markets in London

London is the best place for a great shopping spree. The biggest brands and the best shopping malls in London contribute to its image of being the fashion capital of the world. However a few street side bargains will do no harm and can prove to be certainly interesting. Read on to explore some of the best street markets in London and how they can fetch you some goodies without making a hole in your wallet.

Located in Central London, the Borough market is one of the oldest and largest of its kind. It is a food market that offers fresh produce, meat, different types of cheese and imported food varieties. The market has over 70 stalls selling vegetables, grocery’s and lunch. Seasonal fruits and vegetables from across the country are sold here. The market is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Broadway Market in Eastern London is a local market that offers ethnic food and crafts. The market has been there since 1888 and has the reputation of being the foodie’s paradise, merchandise at the market also includes ceramic art, ethnic clothes, and unusual gifts. It also features fresh produce from local farmers thus making it a versatile place.

Alfies is a market dedicated purely to the sale of antiques. Ask for antiques of gold, silver, ceramic or glass, the market has it all and more. Vintage clothes, paintings, furniture and unique pieces of art are the specialities of the market. If you are looking for a good souvenir then this market is a must see. It is located in Marylebone and has about 75 stalls spread across five floors. Another highlight of the market is its roof top that offer some spectacular views of the city.

Camden Market or the Camden Lock has everything to keep you occupied for one whole day. The market is as old as 30 years and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It has a variety of food stalls, clothing and decorative artworks. Cuisines in the market include Indian, Thai, Indonesia and many more. It also has some stalls that sell good second hand articles for cheap rates. The diverse nature of the market and its cosmopolitan spirit are its attractive features and moreover it is open Monday to Sunday till 6:00 pm.

The open air market located near Covent Garden is one of the best places to get some good bargains in London. The Apple Market, the East Colonnade Market and the Jubilee Market together form Covent Garden Market. In addition to the food stalls and other typical market goods, magician stalls and live performances by street musicians make the market a real treat. The major crowd of the market are tourists from across the world. Tourists consider this place a good break from the usual malls of the city.

Street markets are almost a part of the English culture, but what makes the Greenwich market a unique one is its location. It is the only market in London that is positioned inside a world heritage site. With over 120 stalls to choose from the market is a major attraction among tourists visiting Greenwich. When you are in Greenwich market you can look for some good artwork pieces, ethnic clothes, jewellery and also enjoy some mouth watering condiments. The market is open all days of the week and works till 5.30 pm.

Set within what you can call a perfectly “English” ambience is the market of Old Spitalfields. The indoor market was built in the year 1876 and has evolved into one of the finest markets in the country. Dashing bars, designer clothing and chic restaurants give the market a sophisticated outlook. However tourists who have explored the market in detail have described it as one which offers both branded accessories as well as street wear fashion. The market is located close to Central London between Brick Lane and Bishopsgate and it is open all seven days of the week and can be easily accessed using public transport.

Located close to Liverpool station and thriving with people of all kinds is the Petticoat Lane Market. If you looking for some good bargains of street wear fashion then this is the place to be. The market works from Monday to Friday. Saturdays are closed and on Sunday the market is extended to the next few streets and works till 2 pm. Apart from clothing, small accessories of crafts and crockery can also be found in this market.

One of the oldest markets of all is the Portobello Road market located on Portobello Road in Kensington. The market is majorly a haven of antiques of all kinds. More than 100 traders from across the country visit the market to sell their products here. The market has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century and stands as the country’s largest antiques market. Visit this vibrant destination to intoxicate yourself with vintage clothing and brilliant pieces of art. The bohemian atmosphere of the market and the few yet scrumptious food stalls add glamour to the market.

This is a market dedicated purely for the world of gardening. It offers the best of nature through its colourful flowers and interesting collection of plants. Gardening accessories are also available in this flower market. The market is located on Columbia Road that has over 50 shops featuring different types of clothing and food types.