11 Best Markets in London

Covent Garden was once famous for its enormous fruit and vegetable market, but today it hosts a stylish selection of fashion, antiques, and crafts. The market is divided into 3 sections, with clothing, jewellery and handbags filling the East Colonnade Market while the Apple Market hosts handmade crafts, paintings, and prints. The Jubilee Market specialises in antiques on Mondays and household items the rest of the week.

Check out the vintage militaria and medals at the amusingly named Go Commando, gasp over the exquisite glass flowers at Steampunk Glass, or admire the beautifully carved wooden fruit at Martin Jones. For something a bit different, swing by Ahura Collectables to see their brass nautical instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Camden Market is a must-visit if you're after a taste of London's hippest shopping and entertainment. The market built its reputation on craftsmanship and period glamour – it's a place where punk, mod and boho style lives on. Visit Modfather for classic British fashion from the '60s, check out the unique vintage finds at Collectif, or buy cosy handmade Nepalese clothing at Little Kathmandu.

Some of Camden Market's more interesting stores include Oddballs, which sells eye-catching circus equipment, and the crystals and astrological readings at Charlotte's Astrology. Bookshops and art galleries vie for space with comic stores and specialist tea emporiums. Stop for lunch at one of the food stalls – you’ll find just about everything, from Peruvian street food to Portuguese custard tarts.

Borough Market has existed since at least 1276, with local vendors trading in this specific spot since 1756. You can find it on Southwark Street, tucked under brick railway arches and covered by a glass-domed roof. It's a gourmet utopia, where you can buy oak-smoked cheeses, trout and tarragon pate, Lithuanian rye bread and white chocolate truffles. Best of all, everything sold at this market is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Try eco-friendly 'wine on tap' at Borough Wines, get a taste of organic Greek food at Oliveology, or check out the vegan cheeses at Palace Culture. Regular events hosted at Borough Market include cookery classes, demonstrations, interviews with vendors, and talks on agriculture and sustainability.

Old Spitalfields Market shows no signs of slowing down, as there have been traders peddling their wares at this spot for over 350 years. Browse the stalls and you'll spot piles of spices, stands of fresh flowers, and one-off art prints. Thursdays are dedicated to antiques and collectables, while record enthusiasts bring out their stacks of vinyls on Fridays.

Stand-out stalls include retro glasses from Klasik, locally made jewellery at Nekewlam, and original period hats at Last Stop for the Curious. The market has a foodie section, the Kitchens, with 10 counters serving food from some of London's coolest restaurants. Best of all, it's a covered market, so it's a great choice for rainy day entertainment.

Southbank Book Market takes place rain or shine, sheltered from the elements by the arches of Waterloo Bridge. The varied books on offer range from classics to contemporary thrillers, murder mysteries, science fiction, poetry, and children's literature. There are stalls selling comics and graphic novels, and you can also buy maps, prints, and old vinyl records.

The riverside location also provides gorgeous views of Somerset House across the water, which you can enjoy at numerous waterside cafés. Avoid arriving too late in winter, as many stallholders pack up early. This area is a cornerstone of the arts, so you can easily combine your shopping spree with a visit to BFI Southbank Cinema, the National Theatre, or the Hayward Gallery.

Brick Lane Market is a great place to find antiques, furniture, vintage clothing, and retro curios in London. It's fitting that one of the most vibrant areas of the East End hosts a market that's just as lively, colourful, and exuberant. You can find niche sellers who trade in period cameras, ethical skincare, and imported fabrics, just to name a few. Street performers add to the festival atmosphere with music, dance, and street theatre.

Just off Brick Lane, the Old Truman Brewery hosts a specialist markets focusing on vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories, and antiques. The street is famous for its curry houses so, once you've worked up an appetite, head over to sample the pasanda and jalfrezi dishes at Aladin Brick Lane, or try Sheba's famous 'Bollywood Blast'.

Get up early to bag a bargain at Bermondsey Antique Market, where stallholders set up before dawn. This is where the serious collectors come to hunt for beautiful antique gems and one-of-a-kind pieces. Many of the vendors have been there for decades and are hugely knowledgeable about their trade and happy to chat with customers.

Among the dizzying array of collectables, you'll spot plenty of Victorian and Georgian silverware, glass and china, antique jewellery, period furniture, paintings, and plenty more goodies. It's not unusual to see old maps and postcards, ancient fossils, or antique weapons. Local history enthusiasts will enjoy the stalls run by 'mudlarks', who comb the banks of the Thames for historic objects.

Cabbages & Frocks is a fabulous shopping spot for dedicated followers of fashion. The market combines vintage clothing from big-name brands with pieces from independent designers and handmade jewellery. Dig around the stalls and you might spot a preloved Coach handbag or pair of Manolo Blahniks, or clothes from up-and-coming designers.

The Saturday-only market is held in a picturesque tree-lined courtyard behind St Marylebone Parish Church, where you can enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee between bouts of shopping. Food stalls lean towards desserts and sweet treats, with standouts including moreish cupcakes from Monkey Poodle Cake Co., and colourful macaroons at Wharf Road Bakery.

You never know what treasures you might unearth at Hackney Flea Market, with its offbeat collection of craft objects and vintage curiosities. Stallholders sell everything from furniture, homeware, textiles and lighting to ceramics, artwork, jewellery, and period luggage. Some of the odder items for sale include taxidermy animals, vintage bicycles, and old flags from around the world.

There's more than just antiques to be seen, as local crafty types sell their handmade wares, often upcycled from old bits of salvage. Regular special events focus on specific areas like records or furniture, and there's a magical Christmas market every December. General markets are once per month, so look out for upcoming dates and get ready to hunt for bargains.

Have a relaxing drink in the sunshine at Vinegar Yard, a city garden that combines pop-up shops and market stalls with street food and art installations. Shops include vintage fashion at Pezze Vintage, vinyl records at Blue Groove Soundz, and just about any wool product you can imagine at Alpaca Emporio. On weekends, the Flea London market sells a varied mix of books, antiques, jewellery, and fashion.

The market is known for its wide selection of draught beers sourced from local London breweries, as well as food stalls selling handmade burgers, Neapolitan-style pizza and Asian food inspired by ancient spice routes. As you amble around, you'll spot sculptures made from recycled scrap metal by British artist Joe Rush.

Portobello Road Market is one of the world’s largest antiques markets, running through the whole of Notting Hill. It’s most famous for its main Saturday market, but you can actually shop here 6 days a week. Although it’s possible to find a bargain, the items are often high-end and unique, with prices to match.

Portobello Road is arguably the best shopping spot for antiques in London, but it’s also a great place to soak up the ambiance of this swanky neighbourhood. Take the Tube to Ladbroke Grove and it's just a couple of minutes’ walk to the market. Alternatively, book yourself a room in a hotel located in Notting Hill itself, giving you more time to poke your head into the rows of antiques shops lining Portobello Road.