Just when I think I know every London market, I discover a new one. This city has an endless variety of them, from farmers’ markets to vintage markets, and there are more popping up all the time. If you want to explore them, read on for A Lady in London’s guide to the 14 best London markets.
Best London Markets
I recently discovered the South Kensington Tuesday Farmers’ Market at Imperial College, a great little food market with plenty of green space for picnics.
Being there inspired me to write about my favorite markets in the city, and there are a lot of them.
Whether you’re into produce or antiques, prepared foods or flowers, there’s a London market for you. I hope this blog post inspires you to seek out the ones that fit your interests.
Before you go, make sure to check opening hours and dates. Each market on my list is open at different times and on different days, so it’s important to make sure your market of choice is open when you plan to visit.
Best Food Markets in London
I’m going to start my list of the best London markets with the ones that focus on food. Why? Because I love to eat and these are my favorite places in the city.
1. Maltby Street Market
One of my go-to food markets in London is Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. Its tunnels and alleys are full of great produce and prepared foods, and exploring all the little pockets of the market feels like being on a treasure hunt.
And that’s to say nothing of the shops and restaurants. Tucked away in railway arches, they offer everything from coffee to sit-down meals.
2. Broadway Market
Over by London Fields, Broadway Market has an amazing variety of food on offer, from Vietnamese coffee to fresh falafel. Its location by the park means it’s the perfect place to spend a lazy Saturday eating and picnicking on the grass.
The street is also lined with great coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s a great place to come to indulge your inner food lover.
3. Borough Market
London’s foodie heavyweight, Borough Market has been a stalwart on the market scene for ages. It has an amazing variety of stalls and restaurants, and is a fun place to shop and graze in spite of the ever-growing crowds.
This is one of the best London markets for anyone who loves food and wants to see one of the UK capital’s most iconic places. I recommend arriving early on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
4. Duke of York Square Food Market
Over in Chelsea, the Duke of York Square food market is one of my favorite places to spend a Saturday morning in London.
The square has vendors offering everything from duck confit sandwiches to oysters and champagne. It’s the perfect place to find sustenance before a visit to the neighboring Saatchi Gallery or a shopping expedition on the King’s Road.
5. Billingsgate Fish Market
Way out in Canary Wharf, the Billingsgate Fish Market is worth a special trip. The best way to take advantage of it is to wake up early to get the best seafood in London.
The place is huge, and there’s an overwhelming variety to choose from. Make sure to spend some time talking with the charismatic traders while you’re inside. They add a lot to the experience.
6. South Kensington Tuesday Farmers’ Market
The aforementioned South Kensington Tuesday Farmers’ Market at Imperial College is a great place to spend a lunch break on a sunny weekday.
The adjacent Queen’s Lawn is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic with one of the market’s famous burgers or a cheeky slice of cake. Or both.
This is one of the best London markets to visit after a trip to the V&A, Natural History Museum, or Science Museum. They’re all just around the corner, making it convenient to visit combine them in one trip.
Best Antiques Markets in London
If antiques are your thing, there’s no shortage of places to find them at London’s markets. From Notting Hill to Angel, the UK capital has you covered.
7. Portobello Market
Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill needs no introduction. One of the most famous markets in London, it’s a great place to browse through antique jewelry, vintage posters, and quirky knick-knacks.
There are lots of great cafes and bakeries along the way that are perfect for a tea break, too.
This is one of the best London markets, but it can be a victim of its own success. It gets extremely crowded on Saturday afternoons, so I recommend arriving early for a calmer experience.
8. Camden Passage Market
Up in Islington, the pedestrianized Camden Passage Market has every kind of antique imaginable. From stalls selling necklaces and spoons to shops full of vintage furniture, there’s something for every antique lover here.
It’s all in a fun atmosphere, too. The skinny alley is a great place to browse, and the shops and restaurants around the market add atmosphere.
Best Flower Markets in London
If you’re a sucker for all things floral, you’re in luck. Some of the best London markets are dedicated to flowers, and you’ll easily get your fix here.
9. Columbia Road Flower Market
One of London’s best Sunday markets, the Columbia Road Flower Market is also one of its most colorful.
It’s a great place to pick up potted plants and cut flowers, and the atmosphere is vibrant and lively. When the heaving crowds get overwhelming, there are little corners with shops, pubs, and cafes to duck into.
10. New Covent Garden Flower Market
While the New Covent Garden Flower Market in Vauxhall doesn’t encourage non-trade visitors, it’s still a great place for serious floral enthusiasts to visit.
Its cavernous warehouse offers everything from bright blue roses to vases and ribbons, all at great prices. It’s easy to spend hours here browsing through the blooms.
Best Eclectic Markets in London
If you’re looking for markets that have a bit of everything, London has you covered there as well. Some of the best London markets offer a mix of vintage treasures, food, and handmade goods.
11. Brick Lane Markets
Brick Lane in Spitalfields has so many weekend markets it’s hard to keep track of them all.
From vintage clothing to global food, it’s worth setting aside an entire Sunday for browsing. Down the road, Old Spitalfields Market also has a great rotating mix of stalls throughout the week.
12. Chatsworth Road Market
Up in Hackney, Chatsworth Road Market is one that I always have a great time visiting.
Part food market, part arts and crafts market, it has a good variety of vendors and great shops and restaurants up and down the street.
13. Brixton Market
Brixton Market and the adjoining Brixton Village are great places to explore on a weekend. They’re some of the best south London markets.
The markets have an eclectic mix of everything from fresh food to handmade goods, and the ethnic and cultural diversity in Brixton shines through in many of the stalls and shops.
14. Camden Market
Another place with an abundance of markets is Camden. The area around the Camden Town tube station buzzes with the many markets crammed into the neighborhood’s squares, tunnels, and courtyards.
From foodie stalls to vintage shops, there’s something for every taste and style at Camden Market.
London Markets
I hope this list of the best London markets has inspired you to find the ones that suit your tastes and preferences. If you want to see more, my interactive London markets map will show you all the ones I’ve written about in the UK capital.
There are so many great markets you could spend a lifetime exploring them. And that’s what I plan to do.
How about you? What do you think are the best London markets?
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Got a score of 12 out of 14, not bad :-). Glad there are still some marktets I haven’t been to yet, like Chatsworth Road Market. London markets are the best!
Yeah, I love them, too!
Wow! Many optionas! that’s great!! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Great round up Julie – you’e so right about always finding a new one whenever I think I’ve covered most of the London markets, I hear about another one. I first came to know of Broadway market a couple of years ago and still haven’t been! My two favourites are Greenwich Market and even more so, Brockley Market, which is a lot less crowded and full of locals!
Yeah, Greenwich Market is great. I haven’t been to Brockley Market, but it sounds like I will need to visit! Thanks!
Love the London markets! We spend a lot of time at Broadway market and the close by Netil Market as well, which has an eclectic mix of vintage goods and food. I haven’t made it out to Billingsgate yet, though I have wanted to do it for a while. What time in the morning do you need to get there?
That’s great! I’ve heard good things about Netil Market. For Billingsgate, I would say 6am.
I love living mere footsteps from Columbia Road – the flower market is my Sunday must-visit. Yesterday I went at the brilliantly late hour of eighteen past five, and I was given free cut flowers (pink hydrangeas, oh my!). Although Brick Lane market terrifies me on a Sunday, but I guess that’s the occupational hazard of living in East London! x
Jasiminne
Haha, true!
Lovely round-up of London markets – it makes me want to visit again and explore some of these I haven’t been to! Last time I was in town I enjoyed the Sunday Up market on Brick Lane – there are so many over there that it is hard to keep them all straight!
Thanks! Yeah, Brick Lane has so many markets!
Ohh this was so handy! I’ve been to quite a few but now I have some new ideas for weekend adventures! x
That’s great! I hope you enjoy exploring!
Great read! Columbia Road Flower Market is always a favourite, and a perfect end to the week š x
Yeah!
There are so many markets I still have to visit in London. I’ve been to a few listed here and I have my favourites, but I’m not going to deny that I’d love to explore more of London’s markets. For instance I’ve heard great things about the Brixton market.. next time I’m in London I’ll make sure to prioritize and get there before everywhere else š
Yeah, it’s worth a visit!
This is an impressive collection, to say the very least. Each destination is unique in its own ways, yet surpassing all others at the same time! I have been to many flower markets in London, but I am yet to discover the antique and food markets. Thanks for the great inputs!
You’re welcome!
I love a good weekend market! Riga has several, though all exclusively on Saturdays. It’s always so hard to decide if I want to revisit a favorite or explore a new one!
Yeah, I have the same problem!
Another excellent write-up, thanks for these great pieces.
I so remember visiting Portobello Rod Market in the 1960’s and Carnaby Street and Petticote Lane. Bought much of my clothes there back then, sorry but this is more than likely before your time, but great to see these places still going strong.
Have visited Portobello Rod on our last visit down South, as we moved to North England in the 70’s.
Reading your articles really makes my day, so informative.
Many thanks again and take care on your travels.
Thanks Peter!
My favourite market in London is Camden Market.
I love the different cultures there. You can eat the best food of London and
you can see- and buy so much unusual things at this market!
Nice!
I am coming to London next week for work but will have the weekend to myself. I want to hit up Portobello Rd Market on Saturday morning, but I also would like to check out a food market. Is there one nearby, so that I could do both in one morning?
There’s a food market there, too!
Covers pretty much the prettiest markets in London! If I had to add, I would say Leadenhall market also :p
Good one!
Thanks Julie for this lovely post and cannot agree with you more on your list. Markets in London have such amazing characters and brings life into them. I personally always visit the borough market as the atmosphere there is just electrifying. I will have to take your tips when I am down next to London to visit markets with you. Best as always
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful.
Thanks for the tips! I almost feel like Iām there!!
You’re welcome! I hope you can be someday soon.