London Markets

I started out writing an article about free things to do in London, and when I realized how vibrant the London market scene is and how many amazing markets there are, I decided that London’s markets deserved an article all on their own. Though it seems every US city from Los Angeles, California to Kalamazoo Michigan is just rediscovering the Farmer’s Market, this communal phenomenon has been around in Europe since long before there was a US. And if you’re talking about London, many of the markets have been in the same place for centuries. Some sell produce, others specialize in antiques and others in clothing. But whether you’re shopping or just window-shopping, they all make wonderful tourist destinations.

Camden Markets

With over 100,000 visitors every weekend, the Camden Markets are actually one of the capital city’s top attractions. This is the place to go for independently designed clothing and shoes, especially if your taste runs towards the funky. Centered on Camden High Street, Camden Markets are actually six different markets; the Electric Ballroom, which also serves as a music venue, the Inverness Street Market, which started around 1900 as a fruit and vegetable market, the Buck Street Market, known as “The Cages” because of the metal grilles around the stalls, the Camden Canal Market, which is only open from Friday to Sunday, the Camden Lock Market, which features a range of food stalls, and the Camden Stables Market, housed in converted warehouses and linked by cobbled walkways. In case you want someplace close to carry your swag, there are plenty of Camden hotels nearby.

Portobello Road Market

To Londoners, Notting Hill is known as more than just a movie with Julia Roberts. In fact, its Portobello Road Market antiques market is one of the most famous in the world. Though the antiques market only runs on Saturdays, the street market goes six days a week. The market started in 1870 and now features a variety of antique stalls there are a whole host of arcades, galleries, shops and cafes along Portobello Road, a narrow street stretching over two miles. In addition to the Antiques Market, there’s a Fruit and Vegetable Market and a Flea Market, where you can find everything from used (as in vintage) clothes, jewelry, books and music to discount socks and batteries. Notting Hill is in central London, close to Hyde Park and Paddington Station, making a Notting Hill hotel a great choice for exploring the rest of the city as well.

Greenwich Market

Far to the east are the city of Greenwich and its famous Greenwich Market. Open only from Thursday to Sunday, the Greenwich Market is a must-see for those looking for rare antiques and collectables, as well as traditional arts and crafts. The Market is also a popular attraction for families, so expect to see a lot of kids. The other draw for the Greenwich Market is its rich history. Greenwich itself was the location of the monarch’s main palace from 1440 until 1700 and was the birthplace of both Henry VIII and Mary I. In fact, the Royal Charter Market that originally designated it a market was assigned to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital in 1700 for 1,000 years, which means your great-great-great-great grandchildren may be shopping in the very same shops that you’re shopping in today. If you don’t want to make the trip back to the city centre, of you want to explore Greenwich more fully, then let one of the many Greenwich hotels put you up for the night.

Brick Lane Market

If you’re looking for a different kind of tradition, check out the Brick Lane Market. London has always had a vibrant immigrant population, and what started long ago as the Jewish immigrant market has now shifted to one much more Asian in flavor. Known now as Banglatown, Brick Lane, once also home to the newly arrived French Huguenots, is now populated with a large Bangladeshi and Bengali population, giving the Brick Lane Market a truly unique atmosphere. Where else can you buy authentic curries side by side with authentic bagels? Where else can you buy everything from fruit to furniture and from vintage clothing to ethnic music. This is also the place to go if you want to buy a sari. The market is spread out along Brick Lane and spills out onto the side streets. The East London neighborhood around the market is getting trendier and trendier, which is good news for you if you’re looking for eclectic accommodations. Take Boundary, a four-star hip residence that is a member of Design Hotels and features three restaurants and bars, all of which are terribly sophisticated.

Old Spitalfields Market

It’s been a long time since that day back in 1638 when King Charles gave a license for “flesh, fowl, and roots” to be sold in what was then known as Spittle Fields. Much flesh, fowl, and roots have gone under the bridge, and now the Old Spitalfields Market caters to the young and the hip. Open seven days a week, the market gets busy on Sundays and is surrounded by independent shops selling hand-made crafts, fashions and gifts. If rain is in the forecast on your planned market day, this is your best option, as it’s entirely covered. This is also the place to go for jewelry, as the choices are infinite. Ditto on the endless items that can only be described as “junk.” There’s also plenty to eat, from Italian to Mexican to Chinese to Thai to Indonesian, as well as more traditionally British fresh bread, cakes, pies and pasties. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you can take the leftovers home. Or just take it back to the fully-equipped kitchen of your apartment at the nearby Clarendon Commercial Street Hotel.