There are many great Sunday markets in London.
If you are spending the weekend in the city, you will certainly have no shortage of great things to see and do, and in fact you may well have visited one of the best markets in London already (Borough Market, hint hint!).
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However, if you need a break from the most classic attractions, consider visiting one of London Sunday markets – they are perfect for a shopping spree (yes, even on a Sunday!); to get good food (whether you are in search of international street food, or something more refined); for people-watching; and to simply be entertained or spend a day with your friends.
These markets are all different one from the other. In some you’ll find flowers; others sell vintage stuff – from clothing to old cameras and what not; some are tucked away in the most hidden corners; others are massive and take a while to explore. But all of them are fun to see.
Curious to find out more? Continue reading for a quick overview.
Looking for a Christmas market? Make sure to read my post The Best Christmas Markets In Europe.
The Sunday Markets In London
Brick Lane
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Brick Lane is home to my favorite Sunday markets in London, and you’ll surely be able to find a good bargain there. You’ll also find a great array of street art here, so this part of town is a real must-see!
The main street is packed with lovely clothing shops by London’s up and coming designers; as well as some fabulous food stalls. If you are in search of antique furniture or even jewelry, this is a good place to go. Other than the main street markets, there are several indoor markets in Brick Lane which are all worth browsing.
Below is a more detailed description of the markets.
Boiler House Food Hall
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Located in the old Old Truman Brewery’s 1830’s Boiler House, this is the place to go to fix your cravings for any kind of international cuisine.
From Moroccan tajine to Malaysian food, Japanese sweets, Vietnamese Pho Bo, Pad Thai, Ethiopian injera and what not, you are bound to find something to tickle your tastebuds among the more than 30 food stalls.
There’s a fantastic beer garden at the back, and prices are mode than affordable – definitely by London standards!
Look for the street food market in Ely’s Yard, right behind the Old Truman Brewery as that’s where you’ll find some award-winning food trucks!
The Tea Rooms
This is one of the nicest indoor markets in Brick Lane, where you can find tea and cake – well I guess that’s a given – and any sort of vintage stuff – from jewelry to vinyl records, from antique cameras to vintage typewriters – I came across a shop once and I was so fascinated by the 1930s ones that I must have spent an hour just there. It’s no wonder this place is referred to as an “Aladdin’s cave of furniture, collectables and antiques.”
One of the best London Sunday markets for antiques is Northcote Road Antiques Market. It’s open from 12:00 to 5:00 pm.
Backyard Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Located in a massive warehouse with more than 80 stalls, Backyard Market was first opened in 2006. There you will find unique pieces by London’s youngest designers and creatives. Look for jewelry, clothes, prints but also art and craft.
Sunday Upmarket
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Opened in 2004 above Brick Lane Vintage Market, Sunday Upmarket counts more than 140 traders. It’s the kind place where you can find clothing, music, accessories, art, home appliances and – most importantly – lots and lots of food.
Brick Lane Vintage Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Right by Ely’s Yard, at the Brick Lane Vintage Market you will find vintage clothing and accessories, with anything dating from the 1920s to the 1990s. If you are into vintage, this is probably one of the best Sunday markets in London. And if you are not, it remains a fun place to browse.
Guided tours of Brick Lane Markets
To make the most of Brick Lane Markets, you may want to consider one of these tours:
Read more : Bermondsey Market
Alternative London 2-Hour Street Art Walking Tour – this street art tour also goes to Spitalfields and Brick Lane markets. It’s one of the best rated tours of the area.
London: Exotic East End Food Tour at London Sunday Markets – probably the best food tour that goes to Brick Lane.
Columbia Road Flower Market
OPENING TIMES: 8.00 am to 2:00 pm
Columbia Road Flower Market is one of the prettiest markets in London. Located in East London (actually, not far from Brick Lane), it’s a truly colorful place – what with all the flowers, nice plants, cactus, herbs and pots, and the many lovely courtyards and narrow alleys in the area. You will also find cafés and vintage shops and – shall I add “obviously” – lots and lots of food.
Try to get there early-sh in the morning as it can get really busy.
Chatsworth Road Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
This is one of the lesser known Sunday markets in the city – the kind of place you go if you want to feel more like a local. Located in Hackney, East London, it’s been on since the 1930s, although with World War II it started to become less and less popular and was eventually completely closed in 1990, to be finally opened up again in 2010.
Chatsworth Road Market is a perfect place to buy fresh produce such as vegetables, fresh meat, Alpine cheeses, bread, pastries and cakes (those of Le Moulin Bakery are mouthwatering!). Surrounding the market there are lovely coffee shops and restaurants, as well as vintage furniture shops.
Victoria Park Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Also in East London, Victoria Park Market is one of the coolest Sunday markets in London. It’s mostly a food market – so expect to find ice cream, fresh produce, cakes, wines and more. It’s delicious.
Old Spitalfields
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, of all the Sunday markets in the British capital, Old Spitalfields Market is by far my favorite. Located across London Liverpool Street Station, and easily accessed from Commercial Street, where it’s been taking place for centuries now, this covered market is the perfect place to visit on a cold, rainy day.
You can go there in search of handmade jewelry, souvenirs, fun stuff (I once bough my cat some dog clothes, but she wasn’t too impressed with them) and all sorts of good food. Add to this a selection of excellent pubs and restaurants in the area, and you get the picture.
During my last trip to London, my sister and I visited. We ended up shopping for a leather bag, t-shirts, hair accessories. I also bought a ring. And to complete the experience, we had a lovely vegan cupcake on the go.
Spitalfields market is actually open every day. One thing you need to consider if you have your eyes set on a specific item but decide not to buy it on the spot is that the stands are regularly moved around and change locations on different days. We determined it’s done for marketing reasons, so that while you look for what you want you end up coming across more stuff – smart!
Located on Middlesex Street, in Spitalfields, there’s also Petticoat Lane Market. Only open on Sundays, it sells just about anything – from clothing to toiletries and toys.
Old Spitalfields is located a short distance from Brick Lane, so you can actually visit both on the same day.
Herne Hill Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Taking place in the area right outside of Herne Hill station, Herne Hill Market is one of London’s best, selling anything from old music records to fish, vegetables and what not. The surrounding shops and restaurants add a lovely touch.
Horniman Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Horniman Museum, in Forest Hill, is home to a great Sunday market. It actually takes place around the bandstand in the museum’s garden, and it’s perfect to shop for fresh produce as well as cakes, pastries and other food. The views of the city from the bandstand are amazing!
Camden Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
I used to be a great fan of Camden Market when I started traveling to London, but with time it changed and I did not like it anymore. I felt it was terribly crowded, very touristy and that it had somewhat lost its original (rock and almost gothic) charm.
Having said so, if you’ve never been to this part of town you should definitely go! We actually decided to go during our last trip to London and I must say it’s changed once again, and for the better this time.
Camden Market is packed with clothing shops – not just any kind though. Expect to find gothic stuff galore, corsets and the like, as well as candles, incense and mystics. There now is also a very strong focus on food, so expect to find a fair amount of street food fare, a bunch of good gastro-pubs as well as a nice selection of restaurants.
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It’s a nice place to spend Sunday morning, and having lunch before heading home.
This guided tour may help you make the most of Camden. It lasts up to six hours which means you get to see a lot of the market, learn its history and see the most important bits.
Camden Lock
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Located in a former abandoned packaging warehouse, Camden Lock is one of the most iconic sights in London. The market now sells all sorts of souvenirs and antiques so it’s a great place to shop if you are looking for a unique item to bring home with you.
Stables Market
OPENING TIMES: 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Owing its name to its use as a horse hospital in Victorian times (something celebrated with a statue of horses right at the entrance), this market located in Camden is a good place to go in search of antiques and clothing. There are more than 450 stalls, so there is plenty to explore (and buy!).
Greenwich Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
This large market in the heart of historical Greenwich is announced by a massive metal sign. You will find stalls selling food, clothes, jewelry as well as arts and grafts. One of the best Sunday markets in London, it’s actually open every day – including Bank Holidays.
Southbank Centre Food Market
OPENING TIMES: 12:00 to 6:00 pm
I am a massive fan of London’s South Bank, so I obviously had to mention this market which is the perfect place to go in search of street food. If you are a book warm, Waterloo Bridge and its book market nearby will be the perfect addition to your Sunday.
Another great Sunday market for street food is Maltby Street Market, in Bermondsey. It opened in 2010 and albeit small it has some delicious finds. It’s open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Blackheath Farmers’ Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
One of the most local Sunday markets in London, this is the kind of place where people know each other! It’s great if you want to get off the beaten path on your Sunday shopping spree. The market actually takes place in a car park in the Blackheath area. Go there to find fresh, seasonal produce, and go in the morning to stock on food to cook for the rest of the week.
Alexandra Palace Farmer’s Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Also known as Ally Pally, this market is located in northern London and from there you can actually get great views of the city. It’s a great place to go for street food – think hot dogs and other barbecued delicious goods. It’s a fairly small place, easy to explore and perfect for a Sunday lunch.
Marylebone Farmers’ Market
OPENING TIMES: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Another lovely local Sunday market in London, it’s the kind of place where families go to stock up on fresh produce for the week. You’ll find plenty of organic stuff, and the area is packed with nice cafés where you can sit and enjoy a drink and a bite too.
Final Tips To Make The Most Of London Sunday Markets
Before you set off to visit one or all of the Sunday markets in London, I wanted to share some final recommendations and warnings with you.
TRANSPORTATION – Public transport in London is a bit of a hiccup on Sundays. That’s when construction works take place in the metro (aka London Underground or Tube), so it may be a nightmare to go from one place to the other. Make sure to check for closures on the official tube website before deciding where to go, and plan your route beforehand.
PICKPOCKETS – Any crowded place like a market is bound to be targeted by pickpockets, so keep your bags closed and don’t carry any valuables.
TIMINGS – I recommend planning to be at the market about one hour after the official opening time, so that you can be sure that all stalls are up and food is cooking!
MARKETS ON OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK – Not in London on a Sunday? Worry not, there are plenty of markets open any other day of the week. My favorite is London Borough Market. It’s a great place for foodies! You can easily explore on your own, or – for a more in depth experience – join a guided tour. Here are some great options:
Secret Food Tour: London Bridge & Borough Market w/ Private Tour Option – an excellent food tour to taste literally the best of London.
Traditional English Food Tasting Walking Tour in London – a great food tour that goes to the best market in town.
Further Readings
Make sure to check out my other posts about London:
- 24 Stunning London Hidden Gems
- How To Make The Most Of London In A Day
- 15 Amazing Day Trips From Paris
- The Best 5 Days London Itinerary
- An Easy To Follow Itinerary For 4 Days London
- A Perfect Itinerary To See London In 3 Days
- How To See London In 2 Days
- 15 Great Day Trips From London
- The Best Things To Do In Oxford
- How To Get Tower Of London Tickets
- 5 Easy Ways Of Getting London Dungeon Tickets
- 7 Easy Ways Of Getting London Eye Tickets
- Where To Stay In London: The Best Areas And Hotels
- Where To Get The Most Impressive Views Of London
- How To Get From Heathrow To London
- The Best Museums In London
- 10 Cool Things To Do In Covent Garden
- 19 Things To Do In Cornwall
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