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Which London street market to visit on a Saturday?

About to spend one week in London, and I've deliberately left our one Saturday unstructured. We leave the next day for home.

Wondering if y'all have any insights or favorite experiences with regard to visiting a street market such as Borough or Portobello on a Saturday. ( I've read Rick's London 2018 book's section re: markets.)

Any market that you especially liked? We're open to any combination of food, art, crafts, etc. We are staying in the South Kensington neighborhood, so for proximity, Portobello seems the closest. But, more than willing to go cross town if warranted!

Thanks!

Posted by
2693 posts

Thanks to reading the Paddington books when I was about 8 I nurtured a life-long desire to visit Portobello Road, and the market there was quite satisfying--sections of vintage/antique sellers, then people selling books, clothes and other more recent used household items, plus a section of new items. It goes for a good distance and there are also plenty of charming shops as well as some interesting antique collectives, and numerous restaurants and pubs. I spent a good 4 hours there including a stop for a beer and then a quick bite to eat.

Posted by
166 posts

I always enjoy the market at Covent Gardens, also if you want to spend a day doing something really special, take a taxi out to Kew Gardens (The Royal Botanical Gardens). This is a magical place if your love trees, plants, and it is nice to get away from the congestion of the city for a while.

Posted by
9261 posts

You are so close and it’s my favorite market, Portobello. Go early. If you get there by 8am you’ll see the set up. I like having a cup of coffee and warm scone at Gail’s Artisian bakery sitting at the front window. Great market and shops to meander in and out of. By the time you are done there’s wonderful food stalls at Acklam Village Market. If adventurous walk through with the elevated roadway to your right. Continue on and you’ll find a skateboard park beneath the roadway. Keep walking and you’ll find a film school and walking bridge to your right. Cross it and turn left at Tavistock Crescent. You’ll be heading toward the Meteopolitan pub on Great Western Road. Tube station right next store. True neighborhood pub in a rapidly gentrifying area. Condos were being built across the road last November.

Have a wonderful last day.

Posted by
14 posts

Thanks to all for your thoughts. I have a feeling Portobello it will be...

Posted by
8123 posts

Yeah, you can hit Borough Market any day but Sunday, but Saturday is the day for Portobello Road. Much more variety and a true street market. Borough market is nice, but mostly higher end food, good for lunch. If you have time on Sunday, Camden market is great.

Posted by
10 posts

I'd recommend Borough Market. It's got a real buzz about it although it can get very busy on a Saturday. I would combine it with a walk to nearby Malty street market which is quieter. From Borough Market, you can also do a wonderful walk along the South Bank of the river to Waterloo. You'll pass some great sights including The Globe theatre, Tate Modern and finish at the London Eye. When you're in Borough, take time to look inside Southwark Cathedral and also have a peek a the rose window on Southwark street (once part of the Great Hall for Winchester Palace).

Posted by
1175 posts

Check out www.clink.co.uk for the Clink Museum if you attend Borough Market. It's a couple blocks away close to the Thames. It's an hour at best to tour the place of medieval prisons and gruesome instruments of torture for the debtors, who incidentally had to provide their own food brought by relatives or starve to death. Hence the common phrase, "He's in the clink" for someone in jail. Similar to Bedlam Hospital, shortened from Bethlehem Royal Hospital, England's first mental hospital, coined the term "bedlam" for a chaotic situation. The Clink is worth a look and only a few pounds to enter and get a picture of yourself standing behind prison bars to show your detractors that their wish had become true.....

Posted by
14 posts

Well, folks, there's only one thing to do. Return to London because there are just too many wonderful options! I truly appreciate the recommendations.