Best Street Markets in Flamstead

"This gourmet’s delight boasts a mouth-watering range of speciality fresh food stalls under its Dickensian wrought-iron roof. The accent here is on quality, not cheapness. Stallholders come to trade from all parts of the UK as well as traditional products from Europe being imported and sold."

"Borough Market has been partially open throughout lockdown, as it’s been supplying fresh produce to local residents. You can’t get the full complement of street food or sit about and watch the world go by just yet, but some hot food and coffee is available to take away."

"Housed in a cavernous space minutes from Liverpool Street station, Old Spitalfields’ rejuvenation saw it transformed from a tired trader hub to a bustling destination and shoppers’ idyll. Unlike many other London markets, it’s open every day – with a changing roster of traders that guarantees no two visits are exactly the same. On Thursdays, antiques lovers descend for the Old Spitalfields Antique Market, when you should go early for the widest selection."

"This covered market in Spitalfields offers a plethora of fashion stalls selling everything from vintage clothes and accessories to jewellery. There's also an impressive choice of home decor and arts stalls where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces for your home. When to visit: The market is open even days a week, but opening times vary each day."

"Amidst all the donut shops following the designerdonut trend, Crosstown Donuts qualifies as one of the best. With flavours ranging from sea salt caramel banana to creme brûlée, they really can do no wrong. Oh, and their donut-to-cream filling ratio makes every bite the right amount of messy and delicious."

"With the cute shops and stunning flower stalls, it’s easy to see why Columbia Road Flower Market is one of the best places to take photos in London. The market takes place every Sunday and, while we don’t make it there often (Sundays are reserved for laziness in our household), we are always pleased when we do. Everyone at Columbia Road Flower Market will be photographing in the flowers, but try to catch a bit of what is going on behind the scenes as well, or a completed bouquet shot that highlights your personality."

"A wonderful explosion of colour and life, this weekly market sells a beautiful array of flowers, pot plants, bulbs, seeds and everything you might need for the garden. It's a lot of fun and the best place to hear proper Cockney barrow-boy banter ('We got flowers cheap enough for ya muvver-in-law's grave' etc). It gets really packed, so go as early as you can, or later on when the vendors sell off cut flowers cheaply."

"Every Sunday between 8am and 3pm, Columbia Road in East London is transformed into the capital’s biggest flower market, with many independent growers selling flowers, plants and more. Even if you’re not out to buy any plants yourself, the market is still a great free place to visit in London – a colourful oasis filled with the scent of florals and sound of bargaining traders."

"While perhaps best known for its famed antiques market, Portobello Road in Notting Hill is a true haven for fans of fashion from bygone eras. Whether it’s second-hand Chanel, pre-loved Burberry or kitschy cocktail jewels, you’re likely to spot something among the endless stalls of goodies that stretch the entire length of the road and beyond. While you’re in the area, it would be rude not to pop into some of the best vintage shops in London like One of a Kind (259 Portobello Road) – Naomi and Kate are regulars."

"The best thing about Southbank Centre Market is its location right by some of London’s major attractions and overlooking the Thames. If you’re booked on the London Eye or going to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on the right day, you can visit the market as an added bonus to your trip. There are two markets which focus on food and books."

"Southbank Centre Food Market is a weekend market every Friday to Sunday on Southbank Centre Square behind the Royal Festival Hall. This market features more than 40 producers in confectionary, spices, fresh meat, and more. The scenery here is lovely, and after visiting the market you can stroll along the Thames with your chosen treat."

"((Just a note that we don’t visit in on the regular HP Tour, but it’s included in the Audio Guide and on our web pages so I”ve noted that at the bottom.)). Located in the City of London, Leadenhall Market is a true treasure. Leadenhall is a covered market and the ornate rooftop, as well as the cobbled floors, were designed in 1881 and are nearly all original, although there was some redecoration done in the 1990s."

"One of the immediate neighbours of Lloyd’s of London is the 19th century Leadenhall Market Building. It was built in the 19th century by Sir Horace Jones, who was also responsible for the Smithfield Market. Its origins go back all the way to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest markets in London."

"Quick Tip: Harry Potter fans may recognize Leadenhall Market from the movies, as it was also the filming location for some of the exterior Diagon Alley scenes."

"Although – or perhaps because – it stopped being cutting-edge several thousand cheap leather jackets ago, Camden Market attracts millions of visitors each year and is one of London's most popular attractions. What started out as a collection of attractive craft stalls beside Camden Lock on the Regent's Canal now extends most of the way from Camden Town tube station to Chalk Farm tube station."

"Camden Market is not a single market, but consists of several different markets within walking distance of each other. Market stalls sell just about everything including food, clothing, crafts, art, souvenirs, and more."

"At just over 1000 metres long, Walthamstow Market is the longest in Europe and, because it’s not really part of the London tourist track, it’s one of the best London markets for real budget bargains. It’s open every day (except for Sundays and Mondays) from dawn until dusk, and is used by locals on a daily basis to buy food, clothes, gifts, electrical equipment, music, body care products and household goods. Whatever you need, Walthamstow Market has it, and if you can’t see what you want, someone will get it for you by the following week."

"Whitecross Street Market is a friendly and scrumptious market that’s a favourite amongst hard working locals, and has been serving up delicious food for over 150 years. It’s still relatively unknown, tucked away behind The Barbican Centre, so the food here is unpretentious and on point. Don’t miss long-time favourite Ravello’s Italian for some authentic Italian eats."

"20-30 stalls serve food from all over the world to local workers around Old St. It’s worth a detour if you’re visiting the City or the Barbican. Fortune Street Park, off one of the side streets, has plenty of park benches to eat your food. Or the Two Brewers pub (121 Whitecross St) lets you eat your food inside as long as you buy a drink."

"Source: Photo by user Nils R. Barth used under PUBLIC DOMAIN. Up next, we have Whitecross Street Market located in central London. This is another market that’s one of London’s oldest."

"Head to Brick Lane and you will be amazed by hundreds of vintage clothing rails, jewellery, tables of sunglasses and stacks of antique chairs. This is one of London’s hippest areas in East London which is perfect for vintage finds, people watching and just enjoying the mixture of cultures. In recent years, the street market has incorporated several indoor markets like The Tea Rooms, Backyard Market, Sunday Upmarket, Boiler House and the Vintage Market."

"Sunday is the day when Brick Lane’scobweb of different markets really shine. Brick Lane itself transforms a cool street market in London – a jumble of stalls selling clothes, handmade items, household goods with a fair bit of tat for good measure. Venture off the main drag for even more treats: the Sunday Upmarket brims with designer makers selling gorgeous jewellery and accessories and a similar vibe can also be found at the Backyard Market."

"For summer BBQ season or really any time of the year, The Rib Man is famous for having the best rib meat in the Greater London area. His hot sauce is infamous and you’ll wish you had your own bottle. Be sure to come early, because with only one appearance a week, he sells out quickly."

"A bastion of old Soho, 300-year-old Berwick Street Market is a strip dotted with shouty fruit-sellers, florists and fabric merchants in among the 20 or so street food vendors. Snaking lunchtime queues are a daily sight with local workers, tourists and shoppers hankering for goodies from the likes of Afghan Delights, Greek2Go, Paella Fellas, Savage Salads and The Jerk Drum. There’s no seating and not all the food traders are open every day, but Soho’s still swell for wandering."

"There’s been a market on Berwick St in Soho since the late 1770’s. There are a few good street food stalls, especially the tiny Pit Stop Cafe trailer at the south end of the market serves excellent Chinese and Malaysian food. Try their fried sea bass."

"Source: Photo by user Tarquin Binary used under CC BY-SA 2.5. Berwick Street Market has been around since the 18th century. Located in the neighbourhood of SoHo, this street market is now full of trendy stalls with plenty of greet food to try."

"If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"In what was once the Bankside Power Station, the Tate Modern looms over the waterfront of the South Bank. Its permanent collections house a wealth of modern British art – see pieces from Damien Hirst and Jackson Pollock – and international artists including Henri Matisse and Auguste Rodin. The immense Turbine Hall is dominated by a changing display of site-specific installations: millions of handcrafted porcelain sunflower seeds filled the space in 2010-11, while Olafur Eliasson took over with The Weather Project in 2003 and a blinding sun installation."

"Over on the South Bank, Tate Modern is not only one of the best museums in London, but also one of the most visited museums in the world. Tate Modern focuses on international modern and contemporary art. It also houses the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day."

"Tate Modern holds the national collection of British art from 1900 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art. Tate Modern is actually one of the largest art galleries on the planet and one of the most important modern art museums in the world."

"Toddlers can let their imaginations run wild at the UK’s first Story Centre. A day pass includes entry to the Story World and Story Garden where you see tales like The Gruffalo brought to life by Story Builders. There are also storytelling sessions and family exhibitions which you can book onto."

"Randall and Aubin’s resplendent window display on Brewer Street in Soho fixates onlookers in the way that the neighbourhood’s sex shops once did. The restaurant remains one of central London’s most reliable restaurants to eat fresh shellfish — a full platter costs £44.50 per person and can be upgraded with a half lobster for an additional £22.50. Its white tiling and chess board floor recalls a seafood bar of yesteryear, which, in a changing and increasingly homogenised Soho, is something that should be cherished."

"What:Randall & Aubin has been a stalwart of the London seafood scene ever since it opened in 1996. This Soho haunt is decked out with marble counters for old world glamour while the food menu consists of a mixture of English and French seafood favourites. Choose from the beautiful shellfish-on-ice display or opt for a classic such as bouillabaisse or linguine vongole.Where: 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ"

"Originally London’s first butcher’s shop, this place has been transformed over the years in to a popular seafood eatery while keeping its original Victorian features. With high marble tops and stools it has an informal and friendly feel – especially thanks to the giant glitter ball above. Go classic with the the creamy moules marinieres, French fries and crusty baguette to mop it all up with."

"Head to Little Venice for an authentic taste of the Mediterranean. The Summerhouse is a bright, unfussy restaurant with a tantalising seafood-heavy menu. It affords canal-side seating, perfect for whiling away summer weekends watching the boats float by."

"What: All three outposts of London’s Fishworks (Marylebone, Soho and Covent Garden) manage to seamlessly blend the maritime charm of the English coastline with the sophistication of central London’s dining scene. The biggest selling point at Fishworks is its onsite fishmongers which allow you to choose from the catches of the day. Dishes on the menu range from seafood and samphire linguini to a whole steamed lobster.Where: 89 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW; 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE; 2-4 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY"