More London Markets

Amidst the perpetual hum of the modern metropolis, the humble market is often overlooked in favour of the sprawling modern developments offering chain store fast food and uniform fashion. Despite the countless urban redevelopment projects over the past half century, the market place has not been rendered obsolete by the process of modernisation.

For almost two thousand years, markets have been at the centre of English social and economic history. Stretching back to when the Romans first settled in England, markets united consumption, trade and production, transforming hamlets into villages and villages into towns. In the 21st century, London contains a seemingly endless collection of street markets that offer a delightful range of antiques, international street food, authentic vintage clothes and cafes.

Petticoat Lane Market

Operating since the mid eighteenth century, the wondrous Petticoat Lane market is a stalwart of East London’s rich market history. One of East London’s oldest and most storied markets, the majority of this beguiling market falls between Tower Hamlets and Middlesex Street. Bemusingly, the street named Petticoat Lane no longer exists due to the Victorians’ propensity for prudishness. In 1846, Petticoat Lane was renamed Middlesex Street- but the market retained its name throughout the course of the proceeding decades. The unique charm of the distinctly East London combination of Victorian architecture and modern developments permeates Petticoat Lane market and provides a delightful backdrop for visitors.

With over one thousand stalls lining Middlesex Street on a Sunday morning, bargain hunters aimlessly roam the streets in their droves, searching for the next great offer. Regardless of whether you are shopping or going for a pleasant morning wander, Petticoat Lane market is an opportunity to experience authentic East London market life. Predominantly selling a diverse range of authentic and modern clothes for men, women and children, Petticoat Lane market is a ‘must visit’ for any sartorial connoisseurs. One of the market’s specialities is vintage leather wear along with bric-a-brac and antiques. With the majority of leather-wear manufactured on site, you can find yourself a high-quality bargain.

Outside of clothing, Petticoat Lane provides a wide variety of scrumptious food. The market offers international cuisines ranging from delightful falafel wraps at iFalafel, the home of “London’s falafel master”, to delicious Chinese dishes. According to urban legend, business mogul Sir Alan Sugar began his illustrious career as a market holder at Petticoat Lane. The market is held in and around Middlesex Street on Sundays from 9am to 3pm, with a smaller market open on nearby Wentworth Street from Monday to Friday.

Closest tube station: Aldgate East
Address: Middlesex St, London E1 7JF

Maltby Street

Although Maltby Street market does not possess the rich history of other London markets, since its inception in 2010 this attractive market has gained a sterling reputation as one of London’s hottest spots for shopping, eating and drinking.

In the midst of the searing hot summer of 2010, a gastronomic revolution was brewing underneath the railway arches of Bermondsey. This improbable destination quickly became a popular weekend destination for Londoners. Seven years later, many new traders have set up stalls as Maltby Street transformed into a fully-fledged street market.

Given the limited size of the market, the juxtaposition of the modern and the Victorian creates a unique ambience that is accentuated by the artisan street traders. Perhaps, though, the most enticing aspect of Maltby Street is the variety of food on offer. The Cornish Grill seamlessly blends exciting city dining with fresh Cornish produce to form a social enterprise renowned for its unique dishes. By 14:00, Bad Brownie, home of London’s best brownie according to a recent vote, have usually sold out of their stock- so be sure to avoid missing out on such a culinary delight.

The recently launched LASSCO (The London Architectural Salvage and Supply Co) warehouse provides an array of stylish bar and experimental dining options. The Barge Bar, a bar constructed of a salvaged 19th century barge, and the Eisenhower Room, are the highlights of this maritime experience. The LASSCO reclamation yard, conversely, has had a presence on Maltby Street for years. The reclamation yard has been selling reclaimed dockland materials for nigh on fifty years and offers a range of unique items that will rush to the top of your wish list. Maltby Street market is open from 09:00-16:00 on Saturdays and 11:00-16:00 on Sunday.

Location: 5 Minute walk from the iconic Tower Bridge
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge or Bermondsey
Address: 41 Maltby Street Ropewalk Southwark SE1 3PA

Berwick Street Market

With a storied history stretching back over three hundred years, the thriving Berwick Street market is located in Soho. Although the surrounding area has undergone significant redevelopments over the proceeding centuries, the Berwick Street market has retained a sense of its rich history. Multiple buildings on Berwick Street date back to the eighteenth century, forging a unique feel due the market’s proximity to modern London. For a greater insight into the often sordid history of Soho more broadly, The Museum of Soho, sits at the top of Berwick Street, presents an abundance of detailed research by academics and historians. The reports, videos and pictures at the museum take in the frequently debauched and regularly unsavoury side of Soho’s past as well as the area’s musical heritage, its relationship to the textile industry and the iconic market.

During the nineteenth century, Berwick Street, along with being accredited with the creation of nylon, gained the reputation of providing exquisite fabrics from across the globe. The legacy of the nineteenth century lives on through Borovick Fabrics, the second oldest shop on Berwick Street, and The Cloth Shop. Over the years, both stores have significantly expanded in terms of the diverse range of fabrics that they sell. In the 21st century, both stores offer a dazzling array of exquisite, hand-crafted fabrics wove from all four corners of the globe.

W Sitch & Co, an antique lighting shop, is the oldest shop on Berwick Street and has been located on the market for over 200 years. W Sitch & Co, a family owned business passed through generations, have forged a peerless reputation over two centuries, with their antiques fittings being used in Hollywood blockbusters such as The Titanic and The Pirates of the Caribbean. W Sitch & Co are not the only purveyors of antiques on Berwick Street- antique traders line the streets offering everything from delicate crockery to hand crafted vases to glassware.

Historically a fruit and vegetable market with the occasional antique stall, over the past few years the vocal and persistent green grocers have been joined by a plethora of street food proprietors. Pizza Pilgrims, owned by a pair of brothers renowned for their exquisite pizzas, Savage Salads, Jerusalem Falafel and Freebird Burritos are the highlights of a wide variety of international cuisines on offer. Looking for something sweet? Berwick Street market is swarming with handmade ice cream, confectionary and fresh doughnut stalls. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets of this popular destination you will find a host of vintage boutiques that have welcomed countless celebrities throughout their history. Established in 2003, Absolute Vintage rose to prominence as a purveyor of high quality female, men’s and children’s chic vintage fashion. In 2017, Absolute Vintage has gained a London-wide reputation of excellence.

Flat White, a coffee house that is sandwiched between the Old Soho of street traders and the New Soho populated by creative media and contemporary office blocks, is more than your typical high street coffee house. Flat White was established in 2005 with the intention of providing refined artisan coffee prevalent in Australia and New Zealand to London. Flat White is the antithesis of often soulless high street coffee chains, providing a uniquely charming and welcoming atmosphere.

Address: Berwick Street London W1F 0PH
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00
Closest tube station: Oxford Circus

Despite the overwhelming and incessant social and economic alterations to the London over the past three hundred years, the market place stands as a symbol of independence in the face of inexorable urban developments and gentrification projects- an authentic piece of London in the modern city.