Lady’s Exciting Guide to London’s North Cross Road Market

I love a good London market. From the Columbia Road Flower Market to Borough Market, the UK capital is full of great places to indulge a passion for flowers, food, or pretty much anything else. Some of my favorite markets in the city are the lesser known ones, and North Cross Road Market in East Dulwich numbers prominently among them.

North Cross Road Market

Why? This market has the perfect balance of stalls and shops, food and home goods, bustle and serenity.

The market manages to feel authentic and local without compromising on quality, and its traders are always happy to talk, advise, and chat.

It has everything I love about the best London markets on one south London street. ES Magazine even named it one of the top 50 destinations south of the river.

North Cross Road Market Opening Times

North Cross Road Market in London is primarily a Saturday market (there’s no North Cross Road Market Sunday despite the fact that many wish there were, but there are other great Sunday markets in the area).

It’s officially open from 8am to 5pm, but I’ve found it’s best not to arrive too early or too late. It usually doesn’t get going until closer to 10am (especially in the cooler months), and many of the food stalls are sold out by late afternoon (especially in the warmer months).

I go to this market all the time, and my sweet spot for visiting is around 11am. There are enough North Cross Road Market stalls open by then that there’s a lot to see and buy. They all have plenty of stock left, whether it’s homemade cupcakes or handmade T-shirts.

How to Get to North Cross Road Market

It’s easy to get to the market, too. It’s located just off Lordship Lane, the high street in East Dulwich. The TFL website can help you find the best way to get here from where you are.

Buses from Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, Clerkenwell Green, Liverpool Street, Clapham, Brixton, and other parts of central and south London stop right by the market. The 40, 42, 176, 185, 37, and others will bring you straight here.

If you’re traveling by train, East Dulwich station is a 10-minute walk away. It’s served by rail services from London Bridge, and the walk takes you past lots of great shops and restaurants in the area.

Peckham Rye station is a 20-minute walk from the market, and it has links to Victoria, Blackfriars, King’s Cross, and other central London stations. It’s also on the London Overground, so it’s convenient to get to from Shoreditch High Street, Clapham Junction, Whitechapel, and other stops.

North Cross Road Market Stalls

Once here, you’ll find a lot of variety. There’s a row of stalls selling everything from organic coffee to handmade jewelry. There are traders offering prepared foods, fresh bread loaves, cold pressed juices, colorful cakes and pastries, vintage treasures, and eco-friendly rugs.

There are contemporary fashion items for sale alongside antique chairs, and fresh sausages and cheeses on offer next to baby clothes and handicrafts.

There are food trucks selling burritos and espresso, and little sheds that open onto treasure troves of antique furnishings, dishes, mirrors, and vintage finds.

Closer to Lordship Lane, there are stalls selling fresh eggs, potted plants and flowers, freshly popped popcorn, hot sandwiches, and more. There’s even a tent for dedicated North Cross Road Market bike repair.

For locals and those wanting to cook, there’s a fishmonger selling fresh seafood, too.

And for anyone that likes a bit of history with their trip to the market, there’s a wall along one side with vintage photos of East Dulwich.

Shops

The North Cross Road Market stalls are set against the backdrop of the shops on North Cross Road. They’re some of the best shops in East Dulwich, and they range from independent bookshops to pet stores.

My favorite North Cross Road shops are Rye Books and ED. The former not only sells books but also has a cafe (and a resident dog!). The latter has stylish home furnishings, gifts, clothes, and accessories.

There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes on North Cross Road, so it’s easy to stop for a meal or coffee if you want a break while visiting the market.

My go-to place is Luca’s Kitchen and Bakery, but down the road The South East Cakery and Cafe has my favorite cake in London. The chocolate and salted caramel is divine.

Beyond the Market

Once you’ve finished exploring the market, you’ll discover there’s a lot more to East Dulwich and the surrounding area.

Walking down Lordship Lane will show you more of this London neighborhood‘s independent shops and cafes.

Heading over to Peckham Rye Park, Dulwich Park, or Nunhead Cemetery will take you to great green spaces. Meandering over to Dulwich village will bring you to one of the prettiest parts of London. And there’s more to explore in nearby Herne Hill and Forest Hill, too.

I hope you enjoy North Cross Road Market and the area around it if you get a chance to visit. There’s a lot to love about this place, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to keep coming back.

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.

Pin it!