Best Street Markets in Hayes Town

"Dating back to the thirteenth century, this historic institution is now regarded as the mother of all artisan foodie markets in London – a sprawling cornucopia of home-grown producers and gourmet goodies from across the globe. Wedged in among the butchers, bakers and cheesemakers, you’ll find a host of street food stalls selling everything from French confit duck sandwiches to aromatic Ethiopian stews, Spanish chorizo sarnies, Tuscan porchetta-inspired spit roast and even gussied-up scotch eggs (courtesy of Scotchtails). A mini-version of the market operates on Monday and Tuesday, with a limited number of traders."

"Purveyors of Mauritian-inspired street food, Lovely Bunch of Coconuts do two things brilliantly – BBQ meats and biyranis. Free-range Welsh lamb and Norfolk chicken get top billing (have both if you’re feeling greedy), but the vegan biryani flavoured with citrussy lemon and coconut milk is also spot-on if you’re doing the plant-based thing. Chutneys and slaws are already loaded in the box, but other extras such as fresh grated coconut, dried chili flakes and crispy onions are available to add at your own discretion."

"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."

"Spitalfields now has a selection of 10 street-food traders right at its heart. Berber & Q, Breddos Tacos, Dumpling Shack and Rök are a few familiar faces, but there are new names, too, including seasonal fresh pasta from Sood Family, simple Asian dishes from Bar Barbarian and indulgent desserts from Happy Endings. Don’t miss out on nose-to-tail hearty dishes from Flank (by Brighton chef Tom Griffiths), including bone-marrow crumpets with tender beef cheeks and Marmite sauce."

"Old Spitalfields Market in the heart of London’s lively East End is home to some amazing street food stalls. From African cuisine to Turkish wraps, crepes, to traditional Italian pizza, Ethiopian food and fat burgers, Spitalfields caters for every foodie no matter the style - there’s even a large variety of vegan grub (the cauli shawarma is Spring’s greatest hit). The market itself is always buzzing - our first stop is always the nata stand!"

"There is probably nowhere more atmospheric to browse for and buy flowers and plants than Columbia Road Flower Market. It is a heavenly Sunday market and where the locals shop to frilly up their homes – or you might just want to give someone a treat. If you are just in London for a visit and can’t take plants back home with you, it’s definitely worth a visit – even on the coldest, greyest days!"

"An entire market devoted to selling flowers, plants and garden accessories, what more could you ask for?. Wander the Victorian streets of Hackney on a Sunday and you’re sure to stumble across this visually appealing market. Open from 8am-2pm expect to see flower buyers mixed in with photographers and TV crews who frequently use this market as a filming location."

"When you’re looking for a floral fix, Columbia Road Flower Market makes for a great day out. Just make sure to visit on a Sunday as it’s only open then. Best shot: take your pick from any of the colourful floral displays."

"There are various themed markets held throughout the year at the Southbank Centre, but the most regular two are the food market and the book market. The food market offers up plenty of street food from around the world and tends to be a hit with people after a lunch on-the-go while visiting the area (which is home to iconic landmarks such as the London Eye), while bookworms are sure to find plenty of new wish list-worthy reads at the impressive book market with everything from classics to non-fiction. When to visit: The food market is open Fridays (12-8pm), Saturdays (11am-8pm) and Sundays (12-6pm), while the book market is open daily until 7pm."

"London’s South Bank has seen an explosion of development in the past decade that goes well beyond the London Eye. While the Eye is still the biggest attraction drawing families across the Thames, restaurants and a vibrant waterfront are keeping them there all afternoon. Even better, the Southbank Centre Food Market, located behind Southbank Centre, is introducing local and visiting families to cuisines from across the globe."

"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."

"Kind of like the Borough Street Market but with a little more room to breathe and browse, Maltby Street Market is a favourite of both locals and visitors. I know it’s naughty to have favourites, but IMHO Maltby Street is pretty much the best street food market in London – it’s not too corporate, not too slick and the food is insanely good. My biggest recommendations are the steak frites at The Beefsteaks, the ridiculously decadent cheese toasties at The Cheese Truck and gyoza at Gyoza Guys."

"Source: Photo by user William Harold Amos used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Opened in 2010 in south-east London, Maltby Street Market is a small market and the creators have carefully curated a select list of vendors. At this market, you’ll find seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, delicious coffee, and plenty of street food, including food from Venezuela, Japan and several vendors offering modern takes on British classics."

"Venture beneath the arches of London Bridge on a weekend where foodie playground Maltby Street Market comes to life. There's a fantastic range of street food sellers lined along the Ropewalk, from New York-style sandwiches at Sub Cult, to Little Bird gin cocktails and Waffle On's sweet and savoury waffles."

"Discovered this place purely by chance, as I was trying to hide from rain one day. When I got in, I was completely mesmerized.Leadenhall Market is one of the oldest markets in London, dating from the 14th century, and is located in the historic center of the City of London‘s financial district. It’s still very much in use as a local market, which I find absolutely amazing."

"I consider this to be one of the lesser known photo spots in London, but am always surprised when people visit and have no idea what it is. I absolutely love Leadenhall Market and the fact that it’s just a place for everyday City workers to grab their cup of coffee in the morning or drink after work. It’s such a normal place, but it’s so beautiful!"

"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."

"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."

"If I haven’t yet convinced you that London is really, really into its gin – I present to you: The Distillery. This simply-named venue is basically a gin lover’s playground, offering up four enticing levels of gin-related debauchery and its own distillery producing Portobello Road gin. Amongst the fun there are multiple tasting spaces, including the oh-so-fancy Boardroom for group tastings."

"This inventively redesigned museum vibrantly relates the history of the British Army, from the perspective of its servicemen and servicewomen. The museum reopened with a big bang in 2017, with five brand-new state-of-the-art galleries, including the Soldier Gallery, the Army Gallery, the Society Gallery (exploring society's relationship with the army), the Battle Gallery (the army at war) and the Insight Gallery (on the impact of the British Army through the world). Free talks, workshops and tours are also hosted: see the website for details."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Based in south London’s Brixton, the Black Cultural Archives is the only place in Britain that is dedicated to the history of the country’s black communities. The museum has a great collection of modern and historical artefacts and photographs that all tell their own stories on the topic of black British culture. When the museum was first coming together 30 years ago, it was a time when the African and Caribbean community in London was severely underappreciated, so the co-founder Len Garrison began collecting what is now one of the most comprehensive collections documenting the cultural heritage of Black Britain."

"Cardinal Place is a state of the art shopping heaven located in Central London. The central location of the mall attracts several tourists. It is situated next to Victoria station and very close to the famous Westminister Cathedral."

"St Mary-le-Bow has held a place in London folklore for generations and it is said that east Londoners can only call themselves true cockneys if they were born within earshot of the Bow Bells, which ring from St Mary-le-Bow church. The church’s long, thin spiral pierces the east London skyline, standing out as an anomaly in and amongst the otherwise fairly nondescript Cheapside setting. For all its history, St Mary-le-Bow has got plenty to offer today too — the church’s extensive programme includes lectures, musical recitals and live bell ringing, where people can hear the famous bells rung up close and personal."

"St Mary le Bow was historically one of the most important City of London churches, and was one of the first to be rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. It’s another beautiful Baroque church with an elegant tower which houses the famous Bow Bells. According to London tradition, a true Cockney can only be born within earshot of these bells, which are a 200-metre walk around the corner from St Paul’s Cathedral on Cheapside."

"St Ethelreda Ely is a fragment of a medieval ecclesiastical palace belonging to the Bishop of Ely. It used to be the chapel and dates from 1293. The crypt incorporates older walls that may have been part of the Roman basilica."

"Dating from the reign of Edward I, this is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the country and was the private chapel of the Bishops of Ely"