Street markets are among London’s most district amenities. They are both vibrant shopping places and tourist attractions and it would be a shame not to check out as many of them as you can.
All London street markets have their origins in the Middle Ages, but one has to consider the fact that the form that they are known in today dates back to the 18th and the 19th century. Have in mind that as such, many street markets in London, currently regulated by the respective boroughs, are historical venues as well. Several of the most popular among them are:
- New Covent Garden Market
Now, that is the heavy artillery when it comes to street markets. The New Covent Garden Market is the largest venue for selling fruit, vegetables and flowers in the whole United Kingdom. Rumor has it (backed by official statistics of course) that New Covent Garden is responsible for as much as 40 percent of the supply of fruit and vegetables eaten outside home in London, and as many as 75 percent of the supply for London florists. Impressive, right?
- Borough Market
The Borough Market is in the eponymous area south of the London Bridge. The first records of a market on the London Bridge date back to 1014 so one can safely assume this is the oldest street market in the capital that is still active. Here you are going to find a rich variety of goods, including but not limited to sundry food and other wholesale items. It is closed on Sundays but operates on every other day of the week.
- Brick Lane Market
Food and general bric-a-brac, fruit and vegetables are sold in large quantities at the largest street market in East London – the Brick Lane market. Historically its origins are to be traced back to the 17th century, but it came in prominence with the establishment of a solid Jewish community in the vicinity of Brick Lane, which actually became the reason for the market to be open on Sundays too.
- Camden Passage Market
Camden Passage Market is one of the comparatively young street markets in the capital. It emerged on the intersection between Islington High Street and Camden Passage in the 1960s, thanks to a number of small shops that were opened there in the period. It sells collectables and antiquities – Wednesdays and Saturdays are particularly good time to go goods-hunting there, and Thursdays is the time you would want to be here if you like buying old books.
- Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is another fine antiquities market. It is open on Saturdays and is usually flocked with tourists, which does not make it a bad place to be in any respect. It is always interesting to do treasure hunting here, and there is always something great to find among the items sold.
- Jubilee Market
Jubilee Market at The Piazza, Covent Garden at the Jubilee Hall is another fine market if you are into arts and crafts or you are looking for some nice jewelry either for you or for a present. It is open every day of the week, with the General Market available from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and the Arts and Crafts Market – Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Collectors come here Monday from 5 am to 5 pm, because that’s the time antiquities are sold here.
Since you have someone to take care of your rubbish removals, you can go check out the street markets of London without remorse.