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Street Markets

Markets represent the oldest way in which goods are sold. The idea is ancient, and many of the markets that continue today in towns and cities across the UK have a long history. However, there are a number of markets which are particularly historic and well known. What follows is a selection of historic London markets.

 

Borough Market

Borough Market in Southwark has a history that predates the Roman invasion of Britain. The site of London represents what was once the lowest fordable point of the river Thames, and trading activity was taking place in the area of what is now Southwark when the Romans arrived. Mention was first made of Borough Market as an institution in 1276, when traffic problems on London Bridge caused by the market were recorded.

 

 

 

Although the market has moved a few hundred yards either side of the south end of London Bridge during its long history it has always remained in generally the same location. Borough Market has been on its present site since 1756. In the fourteenth century, inns grew up to cater to the merchants who travelled to trade here. The Tabard Inn of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales was one such inn. The George Inn, which stood near the Tabard, was another, and in part this inn still survives.

Opening Times: The market now opens Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday 12 midday - 6pm and Saturday 9am - 4pm.

Directions: The nearest Underground station is London Bridge. The market can be found almost underneath the mainline London Bridge station. See interactive map centred on Borough Market.

 

 

 

Greenwich

Greenwich market was established in 1849, and now specialises in antiques, arts and crafts, clothing and books. A trip to the market could be combined with visits to the many other attractions available in Greenwich, including the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Naval College.

Opening Times: Thursday and Friday 7.30am - 5.30pm for antiques, collectables and arts and crafts. Weekends and Bank Holidays 9.30am - 5.30pm for arts and crafts and food.

Directions: Greenwich Market is in the covered area bordered by College Approach,King William Walk, Greenwich Church Street and Nelson Road. Click here for an interactive map centred on Greenwich Market.

To get to the market you could either take the Docklands railway to Island Gardens, and then walk through the footbridge to Greenwich; or you could take a river bus from one of the Thames piers in central London. I recommend the boat. It's a great introduction to a day in Greenwich. See the following web site for detals of river bus services: www.tfl.gov.uk/river

 

Leadenhall

Leadenhall is a Victorian food market off Gracechurch Street, just north of the Monument in the City. It has retained much of its Victorian appearance. Leadenhall is now a collection of shops, restaurants and pubs. The market is popular with tourists, and with the City workers on their lunch breaks.

Opening Times: Monday to Friday 7am - 4pm.

Directions: The nearest Underground stations are Monument, Bank or Liverpool Street. Click here for an interactive map centred on Leadenhall.

 

 

 

 

Old Spitalfields Market

In 1638 Charles the First gave a licence for "flesh, fowl and roots" to be sold at a place then known as Spittle Fields. This market survives, selling a huge range of goods. It is best known for fashion, the arts, food, and interiors. When I visited there was a great stall selling T shirts decorated with images from classic album covers. I was tempted by Aladdin Sane.

Opening Times: The market stalls are open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm and then again on Sunday, 9am - 5pm, which is the market's busiest day. Monday and Tuesday are good days to visit for the general stalls, Thursday is good for antiques, visit on Friday's for fashion and art. On Saturdays the market is given over to the shops, before stalls open again on Sunday. Spitalfields Market has a good web site at www.visitspitalfields.com

Directions: Old Spitalfields Market is very close to Liverpool Street station in the City. Walk into Bushfield Street opposite the station, and continue straight ahead. Click here for an interactive map centred on old Spitalfields Market.Shops in the historic area of Artillery Row are nearby.

 

 

Portobello Road

The name of Portobello Road commemorates Admiral Vernon's capture of the Caribbean city of Puerto Bello in 1739. A farm was named after the victory, and this name was then given to the lane leading to the farm, the route of which is followed today by Portobello Road. The market began in the late 1860s or early 1870s on Saturdays. By the 1920s the market was being held every day of the week, although it was some time before a daily market was officially accepted. By the 1960s the market was world famous, and was one of the icons of swinging London. When I visited I was delighted to see a psychedelically decorated fruit and veg van.

Portobello Road was featured in the films Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Notting Hill.

 

Today the market is as vibrant and successful as ever. It's structure has endured, with bric-a-brac and antiques in the southern section, fruit and vegetables in the centre, clothing and bedding to the north. There are also shops on both sides of the street, all of which have a unique and individual character. When I was walking down Portobello Road I didn't notice a single chain store.

Opening Times: antiques market Saturday 8am - 6pm, general market Monday to Wednesday 8am - 6pm, Thursday 9am - 1pm, Friday and Saturday 7am - 7pm and clothing and bric-a-brac Friday 7am - 4pm, Saturday 8am - 5pm.

Portobello Road also has the Electric Cinema, the oldest working cinema in Britain.

Directions: Portobello Road is in the Notting Hill area of west London. There are all kinds of communities in this area, and the terraced house architecture is often wonderful. I recommend walking to the market down Ladbroke Grove from Kensington. The nearest tube stations are Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park. Click here for an interactive map centred on Portobello Road.