Best Street Markets in Harrow-on-the-Hill

"In truth, any trip to Borough Market is unlikely to end up being free because there’s too much that’s too tempting. It is a hive of some of London’s best producers and throbs with crowds looking to get their fix of fresh pasta, or cured meats, or coffee from countries you’ve barely heard of. The market runs all week offering everything from drinks to dry goods, beauty accessories to bakery specials (on Sundays it’s only open for produce shopping, rather than street food, from 10am to 2pm)."

"Borough Market is one of the London’s most popular food markets consisting of more than 100 stalls and stands. Quick Tip: Pick up fresh produce, bread and cheese to have a delicious picnic or make a meal if your accommodations have a kitchen. Hot meals for take-away are also available."

"Restaurants Contemporary Global Spitalfields. The best way to describe The Kitchens in Spitalfields is as a street food market and restaurant hybrid. Launched by Nuno Mendes (of Chiltern Firehouse fame), it features up to ten rotating kiosks ranging from Flank (nose-to-tail British cooking) to Thousand Knives (Japanese small plates) and Yum Bun (steamed buns) – although we’re sold on the Insta-famous crispy shengjianbao (Shanghai’s pan-fried ‘soup dumplings’) from Dumpling Shack."

"One of London’s best street food markets is by far Old Spitafields, which is open every day from 10 am. Located in Horner Square, the market is at walking distance from Liverpool Street Train and Tube station, and it can also be reached from Shoreditch, Whitechapel and Aldgate. It isn’t just a food market, let alone a street food market."

"Spitalfields is the oldest market in London, and it's open every day of the week. Visit the Saturday Style Market for your fix of independent fashion or pick up a bargain at the Spitalfields Art Market. It only runs on selected days, so be sure to check online before you set off."

"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."

"Get up early for the best selection at Columbia Road Flower Market. A street bursting with plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees, this market in London is a must-visit for its super-colourful displays and fragrant blooms. You can also pick up gardening accessories in this east London hotspot, and make sure to take home some of the gorgeous cut-flowers on offer."

"Tower Hamlets had staggered the return of their markets, with less-popular markets such as Whitechapel Market opening first, but Columbia Road Flower Market was able to join them on the first weekend of July. To keep people safe, the number of visitors at any one time has been strictly capped, and more of the surrounding roads have been closed."

"The Southbank Centre Market could be classed as a slightly more upmarket street food spot in London, but that’s just what makes it one of the best. Greek souvlaki, a whole stall for beautiful bruschetta, Shrimpy’s shrimp burgers plus a variety of alcoholic beverages you could go around tasting all day. This open-topped market sets up every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Southbank Centre Square."

"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."

"There’s a food market behind the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, with a good mix of food from all over the world alongside local produce and plenty of cakes. It’s open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Perfect for a cheap bite to eat in the evening."

"While Camden Market and Brick Lane may be more famous, Maltby Street Market comes out on top when it comes to proper street food. At this lively weekend market in the hip area of Bermondsey that lies hidden away beneath the railway arches, only those in the know spend their time eating here. Home to some of the best producers in town, the market prides itself on gourmet street food and fresh produce whether you’re looking for the city’s best badass brownies, Mozambique burgers, tender beef steaks, melt-in-your-mouth cheese, gyozas, coffee or baked goods - there’s even top-notch gin on the menu."

"By London market terms,Maltby Streetis a relative newcomer – having only opened in 2009. That hasn’t stopped it from cementing its position as one of the go-to street food markets in London. It’s largely down to the fact that the quality of the traders is unfailingly high: from the decadent sweet treats at Waffle On to the cheesy goodness of The Cheese Truck, it’s a gastronome’s paradise."

"Like a slutty brownie on crack, these award-winning brownies in any flavour will have you seeing how many you can legally pack up and ship home. With other flavours like raspberry, rose and pistachio, and “bonfire brownie,” there are plenty of ways to taste their divine chocolate."

"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."

"Portobello Road is the jewel in Notting Hill – the world’s largest antiques market has retained its sense of charm and friendliness, even as the surrounding area has scaled the ladder of exclusivity. The market, which wends its way along the sinuous Portobello Road is actually five interconnecting markets – with separate sections for fresh produce, clothing, second hand goods, household stuff, a flea market and antiques. The antiques section, always sizable, really comes into its own on Saturdays – cementing Portobello’s position as one of the go-to Saturday markets in London."

"Located on a colourful street in Notting Hill, Portobello Road is the world’s largest antique market. The famous market has over 1,000 traders selling a huge range of amazing antiques and collectables. And for those who aren’t interested in antiques, the market (which runs Monday to Saturday) also has a variety of other traders selling clothes, jewellery, tourist nicknacks, household goods and plenty of food."

"There are lots of colourful streets around Notting Hill which make for wonderful pictures. Your best bet is to get off at Notting Hill Gate station and then walk towards (and along) Portobello Road. Another aesthetic place in London is on the other side of the city around Hillgate Place and Campden Hill Road."

"Another Tower Hamlets market being held back, a return to the vintage clothing and street food paradise that is Brick Lane is likely at least another weekend away. We’ll keep you updated on any more openings we hear of – and with the summer starting to begin in earnest, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that wandering lazily through the stalls, street food in hand, becomes a reality very soon. Also published on Medium."

"The best day to visit Brick Lane market is Sunday when the streets fill with stalls selling second-hand goods. Popular with young Londoners on the lookout for a bargain this market has a lively artistic vibe. Whilst browsing you’ll also stumble upon various street performers to entertain you and discover good value places to eat."

"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."

"According to regulars, this terrific Thai eatery in Belgravia serves simply unforgettable fare, from deep-fried filet of whitefish with sweet and spicy sauce to fresh prawns steamed in tom yum sauce with chilli and garlic. The attractive dining room bears the influence of feng shui principles and Eastern minimalism, both of which impart a sleek, futuristic feel that seems to suit the place's fashion-conscious clientele. Reservations are a must."

"Hanging baskets, leadlight windows and a collage of pump clips adorn this West End Fuller’s pub. Yes, it’s traditional, indeed iconic, through and through. And, with ten hand-drawn beers on tap, is certainly one of the best places to take your favourite cask ale fan."

"The grooviest gallery on the Greenwich Peninsula presents three solo shows each year. The glass facade frames this 7m high space, creating a window into an artistic world. A key feature of NOW’s artist interventions is their immersive nature, so expect some wild and wonderful exhibitions."

"A stately home with as opulent an exterior as the art it holds within, Somerset house was once a palace for the Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour in 1547. Now one of the more grandiose of London’s institutions, the palace hosts exhibitions from all over the world and continually draws enormous crowds. The gallery is “known for the breadth of cultural collaborations across photography, fashion, art, film and music."

"If you find yourself with boisterous kids after insisting on an exhibition at the excellent Courtauld Gallery, simply pop outside and strip off. The courtyard, surrounded by 19th century buildings, contains a lively fountain featuring 55 jets, a terraced cafe and a glorious restaurant if you are feeling flash. Bring the baby and let him/her have a splash around in what can turn into a small paddling pool."

"Take a river boat to Embankment Pier to admire Somerset House on the Thames. The Neoclassical building houses a working arts centre with fascinating exhibitions and events."