London’s best markets
Aug 24th, 2007 by dave
In business since medieval times, this is the best food market in London. Competition for space is fierce and standards are high so you’re sure to find a superb range of fresh and organic produce on the tightly packed stalls. The market shelters beneath the railway arches by Southwark Cathedral just downstream from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Most people visit on Saturdays, so if you want to avoid the crowds get down to London Bridge on Thursday and Friday afternoons and dive in.
2. Columbia Road Flower Market
Beautiful market, shame about the website! Tucked away in the heart of London’s East End, Columbia Road is an explosion of colourful plants and exotic flowers. It’s well worth dragging yourself out of bed to join the throngs of green fingered enthusiasts in the hunt for rarities or general plants at wholesale prices. Trading starts at 8am and carries on until 2pm, Sundays only.
Calls itself the world’s largest antiques market and usually features in lists of the most visited tourist sites in London. Only open on Saturdays so it’ll be crowded. Get off the Tube at Notting Hill and plunge into the stream of ambling browsers. It might seem confusing but the market’s actually laid out in sections - antiques, jewellery, records and books, fruit and veg, street & club clothes from up & coming designers, dodgy knock-offs and all kinds of bric-a-brac.