The Markets of London by Gillian Bodgas
When thinking about London, the first things that come to mind are Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and numerous other quintessentially British landmarks. So naturally, when I arrived in England at the ripe old age of 20, I visited these places first. However, after spending significant time in the city, I found that my favorite thing about London was not the famous landmarks, but rather the beautiful and budget-friendly open-air markets!
Shop the Markets of London
London is filled with some of the best shopping in the world, and for bargain-hunters, the open-air market is the best place to find fabulous deals. Each market has a different feel and caters to a different crowd. Looking for an antique clock? Portobello Market in Notting Hill is known for its unique antiques. If antiques aren’t your thing, Portobello Market also has delicious sandwiches. Best piece of advice: Head to the market around closing time when all the food stands sell their treats at heavily discounted prices! As a student studying abroad in London, a £1 sandwich was always welcome.
Camden Market
Want a market with a more rock-n-roll vibe? Camden Market is lined with tattoo parlors, an impressive Doc Martens shop and stands selling shirts emblazoned with the Sex Pistols. When it’s raining, which in England, it usually is, Camden Market is a great alternative to a completely open-air market since parts of it are indoors.
Spitalfields
Spitalfields is perhaps my favorite market in London. It’s massive and has just about everything. Like Camden Market, it’s partially indoors. What makes this market incredible is simply how long it’s been in existence. Old Spitalfields Market opened in the 17th century and is still fully functional today. When venturing to Spitalfields, make sure to explore the neighborhood around it. Around the market, you have Brick Lane, known as the curry capital of London. When walking down the lane, you can haggle with the restaurant owners to get the best deal on a meal.
Whitechapel
Whitechapel, also outside of the market, is best known for the gruesome murders committed by Jack the Ripper. I highly recommend taking the tour; it’s a great way to see the neighborhood and get a feel for 19th-century London. If you don’t want to spend too much money and still get the Jack the Ripper experience, head into the Ten Bells pub right outside of the market. Jack used this pub as his stalking grounds. Today, the pub still serves the neighborhood and pays homage to the murders with newspaper clippings lining the walls on the way to the restrooms.
Borough Market
For the best eats in town, head to the South Bank and take a stroll through Borough Market. The market is only open Thursday through Saturday, so make sure you plan accordingly to sample the fresh fruit and veggies, homemade chocolates, and British teas. In addition to traditional British fare, the market has a bit more to offer. The Rabot Estate isn’t your traditional chocolate shop. Stop in for ham and cheese with a twist. The shop infuses chocolate into everything it serves, and it’s always delicious! And, as a special side note, Borough Market is the only place in the world where I’ve seen Prosecco on tap.
London’s markets are more than just shops—they’re great ways to see different neighborhoods, talk to locals and experience history. Having lived in London for a semester, I can honestly say that I learned the most and had the most fun in the markets of London and would highly recommend them all.
Gillian Bodgas
blog comments powered by Disqus
Explore Northern Europe with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
Fly with Scandinavian Airlines this summer and save up to $50 on your flight! Read more »
Trinidad And Tobago by Katrina Coker
Trinidad and Tobago…"Two Islands, One HART." That is the slogan of Hart's Carnival... Read more »
