Best Street Markets in The Camp

"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."

"Borough Market is my second personal favourite, since it used to be right next to my office and I used to go there quite often for lunch. I still pay it a visit every now and then even after quitting my corporate job. Borough Market is also a regular market where you can do your grocery shopping, since there are lots of stalls that sell fresh vegetables, fish or meat."

"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."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pete Gloria used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Old Spitalfields Market is a historic venue in East London, offering the unique opportunity to shop local, artisanal, and vintage. Much more than just a shopping destination, Old Spitalfields is for the curator at heart, with exciting events that include the pop-up Urban Makers, spirit tastings at the Butchery, and a weekend social ride that begins at the market."

"One of the few surviving Victorian Market Halls in London, Old Spitalfields Market (established in 1876) peddles antiques, food, clothing, collectable vinyl and bric-a-brac to a bustling crowd seven days a week. These are the antique market finds you should never pass up."

"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."

"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."

"One of the most traditional romantic places in London has to be Columbia Road’s Flower Market. Even if you’re not interested in buying flowers, the atmosphere and people will certainly romanticise the occasion. It’s a cute and quaint market, and arguably one of the more subtle romantic places around London."

"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."

"Restaurants Street food South Bank. While culture vultures flock to the Southbank for arty attractions, fans of world food circle around its food market beside the Royal Festival Hall seeking their weekly fix of street nosh, booze, coffee and artisan produce. If meat is required, try 28 Well Hung or Woodwards Farm burgers – others fill up from the Curry Shack, Crêpes à la carte, or Korrito (Korean barbecue in burritos, rice, bowls and salad boxes)."

"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."

"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."

"Leadenhall Market stood in for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. When it’s not lighting up the silver screen, this covered Victorian market in the City of London hosts pubs, shops and market stalls selling flowers, meat, cheese and fresh produce. Discover more “magical” things in Harry Potter that exist in real life."

"Calling all Harry Potter fans, the Leadenhall Market is one photography location in London you don’t want to miss. This gorgeous indoor Victorian market was the setting for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron in the famous film series. The architecture is fantastic."

"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."

"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."

"Dalston Food Market is an amazing little market located in an uber-trendy part of the city. The stalls in this area tend to be cheaper than those in some of the other markets, making this a budget-friendly option."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Restaurants Contemporary European King’s Cross. This polished, all-day ‘grand café’ has a gigantic L-shaped terrace and a plum location on the pedestrianised bit between King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. There’s a year-round approach to alfresco dining too: the outdoor space is thoughtfully equipped with heaters, blankets and umbrellas."

"Essential building works have closed the National Portrait Gallery until spring 2023, but before Google or Wikipedia, this is where the British came to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's history. As such, the paintings are prized more for their subjects rather than their artists. Highlights include portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II, the latter courtesy of pop art sensation Andy Warhol."

"Not to be confused with the preceding listing, this gallery does what it says on the tin: housing a huge collection of portraits that depict important and famous British people from throughout history. It was the first portrait gallery in the whole world when it opened in 1856, so this place really is the OG. The gallery is set to close for three years, so if you want to see it before 2023, you better get there sharp-ish."

"Just behind the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery is another of the best museums in London. Not only was it the world’s first portrait gallery, but it also holds the most extensive collection of portraits globally. As the name implies, the National Portrait Gallery is home to a collection of portraits of historically important and renowned British people."