Lists Of Best Markets In East London
There's no better way to experience the culture, history and tradition in London than to visit one of its markets; here's your guide to the best ones in East London. (You absolutely need to visit them at least once!)
OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET
Where? Spitalfields
When? 10am-5pm, seven days a week
About: Old Spitalfields Market is a lively indoor market where you find can find the best bargains on clothes, music, artwork and unique items for your home. The market houses a continuous rotation of antiques, record fairs, vintage fairs, and street food.
No day is the same in this market, and you are guaranteed to find something you love. With plenty of other shops and restaurants nearby, this is the perfect choice for a rainy day. Have a look at the website for a day to day calendar.
HACKNEY FLEA MARKET
Where? Church Street, Stoke Newington
When? 11am-6pm, once a month
About: Hackney Flea Market pops up in Church Street, Stoke Newington once a month with a specially curated selection of stalls. This market heaves with vintage clothes, antique furniture, jewellery, music records, fabrics, and much more. There are also stalls from creative locals who are selling their own wares. There is homemade food available and live DJ's to create the perfect atmosphere. Every few months, the D.I.Y Art Market takes place too, giving emerging artists an affordable platform to sell their work. Keep an eye out on the website for the dates and other events.
NETIL MARKET
Where? London Fields
When? Mon-Fri: 9am to 6pm, Sat-Sun: 11am to 6pm
About: Netil Market is the creation of the local creative community based nearby at Netil House which has focused on giving space to local designers, and spills out of a little yard just behind the main building, with vintage homewares lined up along the pavement to welcome you in. The market consists of regular traders and rotating weekly stalls consisting of vintage homewares and clothing, jewellery designers, illustrators, original artwork, and niche accessories. There are also extra market stalls that move in every Saturday, selling mainly crafts, clothes and trendy homewares. There are as many good eating opportunities as there are shopping ones; the street food stalls here are fantastic. Take a look at their website for the list of stalls and more.
CHRISP STREET MARKET
Where? Poplar
When? Mon-Sat: 8am to 6pm
About: Originally a Victorian street market, Chrisp Street Market is a local market offering everything from food to furniture. Items come from all over the world, so expect exotic fruit and international street food. Haberdashery is big here too. The market is also a host of events and festivals throughout the year such as a Victorian Christmas Market and Summer Arts and Craft days. Check out their website and facebook page for regular updates.
BRICK LANE MARKET
Where? Shoreditch
When? Sundays, 10am-5pm
About: While the vibrant shops of Brick Lane are open every day of the week, Sunday sees the streets lined with a flea market selling clothes, accessories, and homewares, with an array of street performers to entertain you while you shop 'til you drop. The market is a melting pot of cultures, people, food, art and shopping and this hot spot is well treaded by east London locals and people from across the capital. This diverse market is a joy to shop in, as you'll never know what you'll find. Don't forget to sample one of the famous Brick Lane bagels/beigels while you're there.
BONUS: Just around the corner from Brick Lane is the Sunday Upmarket at Old Truman Brewery. Sunday Upmarket houses over 200 stalls including a large indoor food area every Sunday 10am-5pm. Attracting traders and visitors from around the world, Sunday Upmarket focuses on established designers and artists.
BROADWAY MARKET
Where? Hackney
When? Saturdays, 9am-5pm
About: Established on an old drovers root into the city, Broadway Market has been home to market traders since the 1890s (relaunched in 2004), and provides a unique mixture of tastes and cultures where more than 100 stalls operate every Saturday. Many locals do their weekly shop amongst the organic fruit and veg stalls, fresh fish and bread. Here you'll also find independent shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes and stalls offering authentic street food, original and vintage clothing, and arts and crafts in London.
COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Where? Hoxton
When? Sundays, 8am-2pm
About: Columbia Road Flower Market is one of London's most famous markets, and the street comes alive from 8am until mid-afternoon every Sunday. Flowers and foliage from all around the world are up for grabs, and some of the 60 shops along the road (all independent, selling antiques, art, fashion, vintage items, homewares and more) only open on Sunday - others open all week. It is advised to get to the market early to avoid missing out and getting packed like a sardine! Click here to find out about the pitch owners.
www.columbiaroad.info (Fab!)
PETTICOAT LANE MARKET
Where? Aldgate
When? Sundays, 9am-3pm
ALDGATE: Petticoat Lane Market is renowned for clothing and leather goods, whilst many of the independent shops that line the street sell ethnic fashions and accessories. Clothing ranges from street-cred club-wear to over-orders of designer goods and last year's must-haves. The market also houses stalls selling household goods, bric-a-brac stalls and just about anything else. Just don't go looking for Petticoat Lane on the map - the name was changed to Middlesex Street in the 1830s, with rumors claiming the name was too "saucy" for the Victorians. With over 1,000 stalls this is London's best street market with bargains sure to entice every shopper.
BILLINGSGATE MARKET
Where? Canary Wharf
When? Tue-Sat: 4am to 9:30am
About: Billingsgate Market, the UK's largest inland fish market is mainly for trade, but is open to the public too, with 40 seafood traders. With daily deliveries you can have your pick of fresh or frozen fish to take home and the market also provides specialist restaurant and catering supplies. Definitely recommended if you love fresh seafood and can't wait to cook that risotto you saw on Pinterest.
www.billingsgatefishmarket.org
ROMAN ROAD MARKET
Where? Bow
When? Tue, Thurs: 10am-4pm, Sat: 9am-5pm
About: The traditional market/road where Unico is based! Find out more in this - news article, and make sure to visit their new Yard Market (10am-4pm Saturdays). Don't forget to pay us a visit when you partake in "going down the Roman."
