London is one of the world’s great market cities. Borough Market has traded near London Bridge for over 1,000 years. Columbia Road Flower Market bursts into life on Sunday mornings. Each market has its own character and its own opening days. This London markets guide covers them all, with practical tips on when to go and what to expect. Get the timing right and you experience some of the best of London.
Borough Market: London’s Greatest Food Market
Borough Market sits under the railway arches near London Bridge. It has traded on or near this site since at least 1014, making it one of the oldest food markets in Britain. Today it is one of the finest food markets in Europe.
The covered section opens from Monday to Saturday, but Thursday to Saturday is when the market reaches its full capacity. Over 100 traders set up stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, artisan bread, fresh pasta, olives, spices, and hot food from around the world.
What to Eat at Borough Market
Arrive hungry. The market is as much about eating as it is about shopping. Look for Furness Fish — whole fish and shellfish on ice, with queues early on Saturday mornings. Kappacasein makes a raclette cheese sandwich that people queue 20 minutes for. Flour Power City Bakery has sourdough loaves that sell out before noon on Saturdays.
Go between 11am and 1pm on a Saturday for the liveliest experience. Thursday morning is calmer if you prefer to browse without crowds. Borough Market is a five-minute walk from Tate Modern. Combine it with a morning on the South Bank for a full day out.
The main entrance is on Stoney Street, SE1. Entry is free. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–6pm, Saturday 8am–5pm. Visit Borough Market’s official site for seasonal events and trader listings.
Portobello Road Market: Antiques, Vintage and Colour
Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is the world’s largest antiques market. On Saturdays, over 1,000 dealers line the street. They sell Victorian jewellery, vintage cameras, old furniture, film posters, and all kinds of curiosities.
The market stretches down Portobello Road from Notting Hill Gate station to Golborne Road. Each section has a different focus:
- Northern end near Notting Hill Gate — antiques, silverware, and fine jewellery. Best on Saturday mornings.
- Middle section — independent food stalls and cafés. Open Monday to Saturday.
- Southern end near Golborne Road — vintage clothing and second-hand finds. Saturdays and some Fridays.
When to Visit Portobello Road
Saturday is the only day the full antiques section opens. Arrive before 10am to browse without fighting through the crowds. By noon, the main stretch is packed. The market sits at the heart of Notting Hill, one of London’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. The pastel-painted houses behind the stalls are some of the most photographed streets in the city.
Take the Central Line or Circle Line to Notting Hill Gate. The market starts immediately north of the station. Portobello Road Market’s official site lists current trader and event information.
Columbia Road Flower Market: London’s Best Sunday Morning
Columbia Road Flower Market in Bethnal Green is unlike anything else in London. On Sunday mornings, from 8am to 3pm, a narrow Victorian street fills with plant and flower sellers. They call out their prices in the old East End style. Bunches of wildflowers, potted herbs, olive trees, and seasonal blooms line both sides of the road.
Prices are far lower than in any flower shop. The atmosphere is loud, cheerful, and local. Around the market, small shops open on Sunday mornings only. They sell ceramics, vintage clothing, art prints, and candles. Columbia Road is one of the best Sunday outings in London.
Tips for Columbia Road
Arrive early (before 9am) if you want the best selection of plants and flowers. By 11am, popular stalls have sold their top stock. From 2pm, sellers call out heavily reduced prices to shift what remains — the best time to buy if bargains matter more than choice.
Take the Central Line to Bethnal Green and walk 10 minutes north. Or take the London Overground to Hoxton and walk south. Columbia Road Flower Market on Visit London has current seasonal information.
Spitalfields Market: East London’s Creative Hub
Old Spitalfields Market in Shoreditch covers two sites. The original Victorian hall dates to 1887. A modern extension sits next door. The market opens every day, but Thursday and Sunday draw the biggest crowds and the best traders.
Thursdays focus on antiques and vintage. Sunday brings in designers, jewellery makers, clothing dealers, and street food trucks. The food court around the perimeter opens daily with a wide range of international cuisines.
Spitalfields is a short walk from Liverpool Street station. It is a good base for exploring Shoreditch’s street art and independent shops. Visit Old Spitalfields Market’s official site for event listings and opening times.
Greenwich Market: Crafts and Street Food by the Thames
Greenwich Market trades inside a covered market building that dates to 1700. It is one of London’s oldest surviving market structures. The market opens Wednesday to Sunday, focusing on handmade crafts, artisan goods, and international street food.
Local artists sell original paintings, printmakers offer hand-printed editions, and food traders serve everything from Korean BBQ to Ethiopian injera to Japanese gyoza. The mix is genuinely eclectic and changes from week to week.
Greenwich itself rewards a full day trip. The Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and Greenwich Park are all within easy walking distance. Take the DLR from Bank or Tower Gateway, or travel by Thames Clipper river boat from central London. Greenwich Market’s official site lists all current traders.
Leadenhall Market: Victorian London Under Glass
Leadenhall Market in the City of London is a covered Victorian arcade built in 1881. The painted ironwork, cobbled courtyard, and vaulted roof are stunning. Walk in on a weekday lunch hour and the place buzzes with City workers.
Today, Leadenhall has restaurants, wine bars, a florist, and specialist shops rather than market stalls. The architecture alone is worth the visit. Film fans will know it — the market appeared as Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film.
Take the Central or Circle Line to Bank station and walk east for 10 minutes. Entry is free and the market is open year-round. Leadenhall Market’s official site has dining and events information.
London Markets Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Visit
Bring Cash to Every Market
Most London market stalls prefer cash, especially small food vendors and antiques traders. Some dealers now accept cards, but do not rely on it. Bring at least £40 in cash if you plan to shop seriously at any antiques market. ATMs near Borough Market and Portobello Road are plentiful.
Timing Makes All the Difference
For antiques and vintage, arrive between 8am and 10am for the best choice before other shoppers arrive. For street food, late morning (11am–1pm) gives you full selection across all traders. At Columbia Road Flower Market, early means quality, late means low prices.
Always Check Opening Days Before You Go
London’s markets do not all open seven days a week. Portobello Road antiques open Saturdays only. Columbia Road opens Sundays only. Greenwich Market is Wednesday to Sunday. Borough Market and Spitalfields run most weekdays but reach their best on Saturdays. A wasted journey is easily avoided with a quick check online before you travel.
Getting Around Between Markets
The London Underground and Overground connects every market in this guide. A Visitor Oyster Card covers travel on the tube, bus, Overground, and DLR. Start at Borough Market on a Saturday morning. Walk across Tower Bridge. Then take the tube to Notting Hill for an afternoon at Portobello Road.
London’s markets are also a good reason to explore its neighbourhoods on foot. The best London neighbourhoods to explore on foot are all served by nearby markets — from Camden in the north to Greenwich in the south-east.
Frequently Asked Questions About London Markets
What is the best market to visit in London?
Borough Market is London’s most impressive food market and the best starting point for first-time visitors. It operates Thursday to Saturday under the railway arches near London Bridge. If you have time for only one market, make it Borough.
Is Portobello Road Market open every day?
The food and independent shop section is open most days, but the famous antiques stalls only open in full on Saturdays. Arrive before 10am on a Saturday for the widest selection and a calmer atmosphere before the crowds build.
How do I get to Borough Market from central London?
Borough Market is a three-minute walk from London Bridge station, which is served by the Jubilee and Northern Lines. Exit toward Southwark Cathedral and follow signs for Borough Market. The main entrance is on Stoney Street, SE1.
Are London street markets free to enter?
Yes. All the London markets in this guide are free to enter. You pay only for what you buy. Food traders charge for meals and snacks, but entry to the market itself costs nothing at Borough Market, Portobello Road, Columbia Road, Spitalfields, and Greenwich Market.
When does Columbia Road Flower Market open?
Columbia Road Flower Market opens on Sunday mornings only, from 8am to 3pm. The best selection is available early in the morning. From 2pm, sellers reduce prices to clear remaining stock — a good time to buy flowers and plants at a discount.
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