We will be in London for six nights in May with our 22 year old niece. We were in London for 5 nights in 2019. I was thinking visiting a market could be fun and different from museums. Any favorites?
And is a weekday less crowded than weekend? We arrive on a Tuesday and leave on a Monday.
www.visitlondon.com is a good site for choosing what street markets might interest you. There are Foodie Markets and Antique Markets. Some are open only on a certain day of the week or just weekends, while others are open more often. You may enjoy eating from the many food market booths, and the thrill of the hunt in the anitique markets.
https://www.timeout.com/london/shopping/best-london-markets
Yes weekdays less crowded unless schools aren’t in session.
Favorites? For someone her age I’d do Camden Lock, Petticoat Lane, Brick Lane, and Old Spitafields.
Too many choices! Any you have personally enjoyed? Looking for some variety of goods but not wall to wall people.
Combining Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane on a trip out from central London is a great way to spend an afternoon. It's awkward for me to post lots of links from my phone here, but Google Truman's Brewery to see what's what. Boxpark Shoreditch is worth a look down that way too. Rough Trade record store is a storied and historical record shop / label / distributor that's reason alone for me to go down there. Lots of good (if not particularly cheap) vintage clothes shopping in Brick Lane if that's your thing.
Camden Market is an easy half day out too. Also recommended.
As far as crowds go, Brick Lane is probably best enjoyed at the weekend. It's busy but that's when the buzz is and if you enjoy watching what people are wearing and doing that's when it's most interesting. Maybe Camden is a good midweek trip? Camden Market and Brick Lane are well known these days so it's a mix of tourists and locals.
Our last day, we participated in The London East End Food Tour with Eating Europe. We both highly recommend it! It was a feast, beginning in the Spitalfield Market - our new favorite open market! Our guide, David, was very knowledgeable with a dry sense of humor, and he shared so much history & ethnic culture along with sharing six tasty restaurants with us over 3 1/2 hours. My husband & I both felt it was the perfect way to spend our last day in London!
All: Combining Old Spitalfields and Brick Lane market may be the way to go. My niece is the arty type and Rough Trade record shop would be something she would like. She also buys most her clothes second hand so the vintage clothes would be a fun attraction (although I would guess window shopping as saving money is one of her motives).
I was thinking of going on a Parliament Tour at 9:30 on Saturday and then at 11:00 heading over to the markets. We could eat lunch there that way. Would that be reasonable timing or way too busy?
Jean-my husband would love the food tour! More than the markets, I am sure. We have been in Brick Lane once and ate at one of the curry houses. Much fun. Trying to balance everyone's interests.
It looks like it wouldn't be a good match for you but for others - just west of Sloane Square (Circle and District lines one stop west of Victoria) is Duke of York Square. That's where the Saatchi Gallery is and quite close to the Royal Hospital for Chelsea Pensioners in their bright scarlet uniforms, and right on Kings Road across from Saatchi Gallery is a food store which is an institution called Partridges
I love it there. Just the best food, and at - compared to Harrods which isn't far away - quite reasonable prices. It even has an American imports section.
In the square in front of Partridges every Saturday there is an open air Fine Food Market with local vendors they call Startisans https://www.partridges.co.uk/startisans
I have lots of personal experience with that Saturday market and I can vouch for it wholeheartedly. You'll see different people than at Spitalfields. These are more Sloane Rangers and Sloane and Chelsea locals so the vibe is completely different and the food quality is top. Steady and busy but polite and not rammed.
Nigel-this does sound lovely. Thank you for sharing!
Omigosh, Nigel, the photos on the Partridge website are making my mouth water! How beautiful! I might have to head that way on Saturday when I'm there if I can fit it into my schedule (sigh). I also love the name of it (Duke of York Square Fine Food Market). You won't find anything titled that like here!
Hi Beth,
Herne Hill Market also comes to mind. One could check out their Blackbird Bakery, Agua na Boca (Brazilian), Portland Scallop Company, Brambletye Farms and La Tartiflette. Sometimes, crafters who create things from rare fossils are also in attendance there.
I also second Gerry's combo of Brick Lane and Spitalfields. We rented literally a block away from Brick Lane. Thus, easy access to its weekend market---we went twice. Some of our faves there: the award-winning Spanish Caravan booth; Dark Sugars (permanent chocolate shop).
Trumans likewise. Faves there at its Sunday Upmarket: Aunty Audreys Red Sorrell; Nina's cakes; City Juice (flavored cane juices); the Lithuanian stroganoff-making couple; Viv's Brazilian.
Spitalfields' indoors 'Kitchen Section': Chai Guys, Sud Italia mobile oven pizza (try zucca), Pleasant Lady (Chinese pancakes), Dumpling Shack, Pilpel falafel, Meson les Barilles (Spanish). *Spitalfields does an Antique show on Thursdays, plus a Vintage Show on Saturdays--check schedules.
Boxpark: we went back to the Brazilian Acai shop a number of times.
Those interested in the Rough Trade music shop can see a photo that I took there at a Q&A with the band 'Porcupine Tree' (never cuddle a porcupine). That image is in our loooong TR titled 'Back to Brick: a London TR'.
Just google 'zebec Fodors Back to Brick'. There is additional market coverage in it too.
I am done. the end.
