after visiting a market, why not explore the area by following a self-guided walk
Royal Walk
From piccadilly market, follow this walk to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Downing Street
The City Walk
From Smithfield market, explore the City of London, featuring attractions such as the Tower of London and St Pauls
The Bridges Walk
after visiting the riverside walk market, continue along the riverfront criss-crossing the Thames via its many bridges
Wandering around a London market is a fun way to spend a day. And its free.
There are hundreds of markets to choose from, ranging from local street markets that sell everyday household items through to specialist markets and popular tourist markets.
Whether you want to buy or browse, they are great fun to explore.
Specialist Markets
Columbia Road is the East End's famous plants and flower market.
It sells everything from plants and flowers to gardening equipment.
Open: Sundays 7am to 2pm
Nearest underground stations: Liverpool Street, Aldgate East
Piccadilly is a crafts market held outdoors at St James' Church.
It sells crafts such as handmade cards and on Tuesdays it sells antiques.
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
Nearest underground stations: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park
Bermondsey is London’s premier weekly antiques market.
It sells late Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian pieces, with all kinds of furniture, silver, china, glassware, ceramics and collectable items.
Open: Fridays 6am - 12 noon
Nearest underground station: Borough
Brixton Market offers the largest collection of Afro-Caribbean foodstuffs in Europe, selling saltfish, plantain, okra amd more.
It also sells spices, herbs, incense and exotic fish.
Open: Mon, Tues, Thurs to Saturday 8am to 6pm
Nearest underground station: Brixton
Situated underneath Waterloo bridge on the south side, this weekly market specialises in new and second-hand books and prints.
Open: Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Nearest underground station: Waterloo
Smithfield market is London's wholesale meat market.
Although open to the public, the market is over by 8am each day.
Open: Monday to Friday, 4am to 10am
Nearest underground stations: Farringdon, Barbican