I love a good London market. Browsing stalls full of color and flavor always gets my taste buds excited. I wrote about 14 of the city’s best markets a while back, but today I want to share a few of the less obvious ones with you. As such, here are 7 under-the-radar London markets you need to visit.
London Markets
These London markets are worth a trip for their local feel and quality products. From vintage finds to handicrafts, home goods to antiques, they all have something unique to offer.
They also have lots of great food to eat. Most of these markets are good places to pick up lunch or a sweet treat, and many of them have places where you can sit and enjoy your food.
1. Herne Hill Market
I’ll start my list of under-the-radar London markets with Herne Hill Market. It takes place every Sunday by the train station in south London‘s Herne Hill.
The market takes over a pedestrianized stretch of Railton Road and extends into Brockwell Passage on busier days. Its traders sell all kinds of goods, from prepared foods and clothing to vintage records and vegan cosmetics.
I particularly like the cheesemongers, crepe vendors, and larger-than-life skillets of tartiflette. It’s also nice that Brockwell Park is next door for on-the-spot consumption of all the pretty pastries and savory foods.
2. Leather Lane Market
Over in Clerkenwell, the weekday Leather Lane Market has been around for ages. But while it used to be more of a bric-a-brac market, it’s now focused on clothing and food.
And so am I. Leather Lane Market has some of the best street food stalls of all London markets, from fresh Vietnamese banh mi to gooey grilled cheese. I particularly like the halloumi wrap from Dukan 41.
Better still, Leather Lane itself has become a foodie mecca in recent years. With some of the best coffee shops in London and a variety of great restaurants, the street is worth a visit for its permanent fixtures as much as its market stalls.
3. North Cross Road Market
Down in East Dulwich, the local North Cross Road Market is a Saturday treat. This little secret is full of everything from homemade cakes to vintage clothing. It’s one of the best south London markets.
On my first visit to this loveliest of London markets, I was lured in by the delicious aromas of buttered popcorn and rich coffee. I’m a sucker for both, and was delighted to see them in such close proximity.
I was also pleasantly distracted by the variety of quirky housewares for sale. They were all so nicely presented I wanted to take the whole lot home and redecorate my flat.
4. Primrose Hill Market
Living up to its lovely name, Primrose Hill Market is one of the prettiest Saturday markets in London. It takes over the grounds of St Paul’s School on the weekends to offer everything from vegetables to juices.
I love strolling through the market stalls and letting myself be tempted by the brownies and jams. And if I overindulge, the hill that gives this London neighborhood its name is just the thing to help me work off a few calories.
5. Chatsworth Road Market
Up in Hackney, the lovely Chatsworth Road Market market is a 10-minute walk from the Homerton overground station and worth every step.
Open on Sundays, this most exciting of London markets has a great variety of food and craft stalls that offer everything from traditional pies to knitting yarn.
I love browsing the length of Chatsworth Road Market before heading back to pick up some souvlaki or a cupcake.
And like Leather Lane Market, this one has a great variety of shops and restaurants to explore in the surrounding streets. From funky antiques to serious espresso, I always find something to delight my eyes, mouth, or nose.
6. Strutton Ground Market
Back in central London, Strutton Ground Market is one of the most under-the-radar London markets in the heart of the city. Right near Big Ben in Westminster, this weekday market has the most local feel of all the ones I’ve mentioned.
From fresh fruit to basic home goods, Strutton Ground Market is the place to go for snacks and staples. I always find myself meandering down as my nose leads me to the coffee vendors, and sticking around for the hot food at lunchtime.
7. Maltby Street Market
Everyone knows Borough Market, but most people aren’t aware that there’s another amazing food market right nearby. Maltby Street Market is a local favorite, and it’s worth a special trip.
Tucked away under railway arches near Bermondsey Street, this local market has everything from coffee to fresh pastries, produce, and more. There are small restaurants and shops here, too.
Maltby Street Market is a great alternative to Borough Market (or a great addition if you want to make a day of market hopping). In between the two, you’ll find London Bridge station.
Top London Markets
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these 7 under-the-radar London markets. They’re fun to visit and great places to soak up an authentic London atmosphere.
From Strutton Ground Market to Leather Lane Market and Maltby Street Market, there are a lot of local gems ripe for exploration.
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.
I hope you have fun exploring these markets as much as I do.
What are your favorite London markets?
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I have to visit Hampstead! Every time I come back to your blog there is something fantastic Hamsptead-related!
Yeah! You’ll love it when you go.
My fave has got to be Barnes farmers’ market. I always walk along the Thames from Hammersmith to Barnes. Really pretty surrounding by an artificial lake and the goods are amazing. Cheese, fish, fresh pasta, sweets etc and cooked food are abundant. Definitely worth going!!
That sounds great! I will have to check it out sometime.
Taftbrook Market near Victoria is also a good weekday lunch pick – you can get a huge serving of pad thai cooked in front of you for £5. There’s about a dozen stalls with food at the market, so its pretty low frills but nice if you want some fresh food in the area.
Sorry, Tachbrook not Taftbrook!
No worries! Funny, I was just there today. I like that market, too!
Nice!
Cardinal Place market really is under the radar but it’s so nice!! My friend’s company Bad Brownie has a stall there.
Nice!
England looks so quaint and beautiful… but cold!
Yep!
Found your blog after coming to your Guardian workshop last week which I felt was well presented and gave us new bloggers a lot of helpful information, thank you for this!
This is a great post Julie! I enjoyed Borough Market when I visited it in September and it was very inspiring, but these markets definitely need a visit from me.
Thanks, Hema! I’m glad you enjoyed the class, and I hope you get a chance to visit the markets.
I wish I would be in London to see it and explore it accordingly! You tempt me!
I hope you can visit sometime!
Oh wow Julie, so many wonderful choices! What is that bread looking item in the foreground under the Primrose Hill Market section??? I hope all is well! 🙂
Thanks, Mike! They’re some kind of pastry. I hope all is well with you!
Kingston market should have made the list! But there are so many good ones out there, you’ll have to up the number in the title 😉
Haha, thanks!
Aww, these are lovely! I have a thing for London markets. Must get back in 2017.
Nice! I hope you can.
Thanks for showing us these markets. I hadn’t heard of most of them, but will definitely visit one or two next time I’m down in London 🙂
Happy New Year!
You’re welcome! Have fun!
My favourite London market is the Olld Spitalfields market because I’ve been working there for about 7 years now.
Nice!
Brilliant – I hadn’t even heard of half of these!! Nothing better than a good market. 🙂
Yeah! I love markets. I hope you enjoy exploring these.