Markets. London's got plenty of them. From foodie havens such as Borough Market, to little known craft stalls, we've rounded up London's best markets and mapped them by area, so you can always find your nearest al fresco shop.
North
CAMDEN: One of London's most famous markets, Camden splits into Camden Lock Market and Camden Stables Market. Both are open seven days a week with stalls selling clothes, jewellery, gifts and more. International food stalls are prevalent and many small, independent stores also trade in the surrounding area. The area caters largely to the tourist market, so expect plenty of Union Jack-heavy merchandise on the main streets. A word of warning; Camden Town Station is exit only 1pm-5pm on Sundays and at other busy times, so be prepared to walk to nearby Mornington Crescent or Chalk Farm. Open every day
CROUCH END: Once a month, North London Vintage Market pitches up at St Mary's Parish Hall in Crouch End/Muswell Hill, with over 20 carefully hand-picked stallholders selling mid-century ceramics, vintage fabrics, retro furniture, homewares, kitchen items, clothing, books, curiosities and loads more. Check the website for upcoming dates. Monthly
ISLINGTON: Islington Farmer's Market was London's first farmer's market, and has over 30 stalls each week. Producers all come from within 100 miles of the M25, and strict rules mean that they must raise, grow or bake everything they sell themselves. There's a full list of London farmer's markets run by the same organisation here. Every Sunday, 10am-2pm
ALEXANDRA PALACE: Four times a year the International Antiques and Collectors Fair comes to Alexandra Palace for one of the UK's largest antiques events. Check the website for upcoming dates. Entry fee applies. Quarterly
South
NINE ELMS: Covent Garden's floral heritage has moved south west to New Covent Garden Market. Mainly open to the wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower trade, entry is free to anyone arriving on foot. Being a trade market, it's one for early birds; the fruit and veg market is open midnight-6am, whilst flowers are sold 4am-10am. Monday-Saturday
GREENWICH: Just around the corner from the Cutty Sark lies Greenwich Market. Open every day with over 120 stalls, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays are the days to go if you're into antiques and collectables, whereas Tuesdays, Wednesdays and weekends specialise in arts and crafts. Plenty of independent shops surround the market. Every day, 10am-5.30pm
BERMONDSEY: Bermondsey Antiques Market is popular with antique traders and the general public, with many stallholders offering years of expertise. Every Friday, 6am-2pm. At the same location, Bermondsey Square, Bermondsey Farmers' Market offers fresh, organic and seasonal produce, from vegetables to seafood. Every Saturday, 10am-2pm
BRIXTON: There's a medley of stalls in Brixton every day, as part of the community market run by local traders. The area's known for its food stalls, but a different market takes place each Saturday. Keep an eye on the website for future events. Wednesday-Saturday
East
SPITALFIELDS: Until 1991, Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street was home to a wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market. As the site became too congested, this relocated to a purpose-built site in Leyton, becoming New Spitalfields Market (Monday-Saturday, 12am-11am). The original site still houses Old Spitalfields Market, a continuous rotation of arts, crafts, antiques, record fairs, vintage fairs, and street food. See the website for a day by day calendar. Best of all, Old Spitalfields Market is under cover, with plenty of other shops and restaurants nearby — it's definitely our choice for a rainy day. Old Spitalfields Market is open every day
STOKE NEWINGTON: Hackney Flea Market comes to Stoke Newington Church Street each month with a specially curated selection of stalls. The date varies from month to month so keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming events. Every few months, the D.I.Y Art Market takes place too, giving emerging artists an affordable platform to sell their work. Monthly
LONDON FIELDS: Netil Market is the sister of Netil House, a creative hub formed from a derelict community college. The market consists of regular traders and rotating weekly stalls consisting of vintage homewares, jewellery designers, illustrators, original artwork, vintage clothing, niche accessories, jewellery and clothing labels, food stalls and a heated dining area. Every Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm
POPLAR: Chrisp Street Market is a local market offering everything from food to furniture. Items come from all over the world, so expect exotic fruit and international street food. Haberdashery is big here too. Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm (Thursday 9am-12pm)
BRICK LANE: While the vibrant shops of Brick Lane are open every day of the week, Sunday sees the streets lined with a flea market selling clothes, accessories, and homewares. Don't forget to sample one of the famous Brick Lane bagels/beigels while you're there. Every Sunday, 8am-3pm
OLD TRUMAN BREWERY: Just around the corner from Brick Lane is the Sunday Upmarket at Old Truman Brewery. Here, more than 140 creative traders sell fashion items, accessories, art, interiors, music, food and bakes. Every Sunday, 10am-5pm
HACKNEY: Food and clothes sit side-by-side at Broadway Market in Hackney, where more than 100 stalls operate every Saturday. Many locals do their weekly shop amongst the organic fruit and veg stalls, fresh fish and bread. Vintage clothing and lingerie are also available. Every Saturday, 9am-5pm
HOXTON: Columbia Road Flower Market is one of London's most famous markets, and the street comes alive from 8am until mid-afternoon every Sunday. Flowers and foliage from all around the world are up for grabs, and some of the 60 shops along the road (all independent, selling antiques, art, fashion, vintage items, homewares and more) only open on Sunday — others open all week. Every Sunday, 8am-2pm
ALDGATE: Petticoat Lane Market is renowned for clothing and leather goods, whilst many of the independent shops that line the street sell African and Asian fashions and accessories. Just don't go looking for Petticoat Lane on the map — the name comes from the petticoats and lace once sold by Huguenots, and the real location — Middlesex Street — was deemed far too saucy for the Victorians. Every Sunday, 9am-3pm ish
CANARY WHARF: Billingsgate Market, the UK's largest inland fish market is mainly for trade, but is open to the public too, with 40 seafood traders. Tuesday-Saturday, 4am-9.30am
West
SHEPHERD'S BUSH: As well as the traders offering clothes and accessories, textiles and fresh produce, there are plenty of local stores nearby, and several businesses trade out of the railway arches at Shepherds Bush Market. Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm
NOTTING HILL: Made famous by Hugh Grant's downtrodden trudge through the seasons in Notting Hill, Portobello Road Market is open Monday-Saturday with different specialities each day (fruit and veg, fashion, new and second hand goods), and on each stretch of the mile-long market. Saturday, however, is the main day, as the famous antiques market takes over the busy streets. Monday-Saturday
KEW: Kew Village Market sees local streets closed to traffic as over 35 stalls sell artisan foods (bread and cheese), meat, fish, game, as well as locally made arts and craft products. Forthcoming dates are on the website. First Sunday of the month, 10am-2pm
PIMLICO: Capital Carboot is an indoor and outdoor car boot sale taking place throughout the year, with plenty of different vendors every week. Entry fee applies. Every Sunday, 11.30am-2.30pm
Central
COVENT GARDEN: The Jubilee Market is open every day with antiques on a Monday, general market Tuesday-Friday and arts and crafts at the weekend. In the famous covered piazza itself, different stalls operate daily, selling paintings (landscapes of London cater to the tourist trade), jewellery, crafts, and more, whilst street performers entertain crowds. Very busy, particularly at the weekend. Everyday
BOROUGH: London's foodie haven Borough Market can get incredibly busy with people following their noses to the mountains of treats on offer. One half of the market focuses on fresh produce to take home, whilst the other half is food ready to be devoured on the spot; gourmet burgers, hot sandwiches, pies, baked goods, coffees... we're drooling just thinking about it. And don't even get us started on dessert... pastries, macaroons, chocolate, fudge, ice cream... mmm. Monday-Saturday
OLD STREET: Here at Londonist Towers, we regularly head to Whitecross Street Market for our lunch. Expect street food from all over the world; hog roast, venison burgers, pasta, salads, the most delectable-looking cakes and tarts. Tip: Get there dead on 12, or even before. Later it gets busier, and most food stalls have cleared away by 2pm. The Two Brewers Pub at the south end of the market lets lunchers eat their market-bought food inside, provided they buy a drink or two to wash it down with. Monday-Friday 10am-2pm
PICCADILLY: Taking place at St James' Church on the world-famous street, Piccadilly Market offers different goodies every day. Monday is food day, Tuesday is antiques and collectables, while arts and crafts feature Wednesday-Saturday, with items sourced from all over the world. Funds raised from the market rent go towards the upkeep of the church, one of Christopher Wren's works. Monday-Saturday
SOHO: Berwick Street Market mainly sells fruit, veg and everyday items, but it's worth a visit for the smattering of street food stalls that appear at lunchtime. Different stalls are here on different days, check here. Monday-Saturday
SMITHFIELD: The famous meat market is mainly for trade, but is open to the public. Focus is primarily on wholesale meat sales, although you can often buy domestic-sized portions too. A few stalls sell other food products, such as olive oils and cheeses. Monday-Friday, 2am-7am
WATERLOO: Lower Marsh Saturday Market launched in March 2014 with traders selling a wide variety of food, ingredients and other treats. Monday- Saturday, 10am-5pm
Regular events
Pop up Vintage Fairs run across three different venues in Islington, Hampstead and Spitalfields, a few times a year. Keep an eye on the website for the next fair.
Judy's Affordable Vintage takes on three different guises in rotation — the Affordable Vintage Fair, the Vintage Kilo Sale and the Vintage Furniture Flea. The venue is normally York Hall in Bethnal Green, but recently it's spread south of the River to Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton. Keep an eye on the website for upcoming events.
Crafty Fox Markets pop up every couple of months, usually in Brixton. A guest curator hand-picks the stalls, so it's an eclectic mix of designer-makers, artists and craftspeople each time. Forthcoming dates here.
Every month Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair takes place at The Old Finsbury Town Hall. It's quite the vintage shopping experience, with a vintage hair and make-up salon, a tea room, and the chance to have those all-important alterations done.
Dig A Little record fair takes place the first Saturday of each month at the Forest Tavern in Forest Gate. As well as a chance to buy, sell and trade vinyl, it's a social event for like-minded record collectors to get together.
Frock Me Vintage Fairs take place at Chelsea Old Town Hall most months of the year. As well as vintage fashion stalls, Brighton's Bluebird Tea Rooms come to London to provide refreshments to weary shoppers.
We recommend checking directly with the markets before you travel, as special events or bad weather may mean things are cancelled.
