Best Street Markets...
Aug 28th, 2008, 02:05 AM
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Best Street Markets...
Hello,
Reading Rick Steve's London 2008.
I am here through Sept. 8.
I'm trying to narrow down which markets to visit. I am in my mid 30's, female and interested in in antiques, leather goods, clothing, watches etc.
Which of these do you recommend?
Portobello Road Market
Camden Lock Market
Brixton Market
Petticoat Lane Market
Spitalfield's Market
If you know of any good markets not listed here, please pass those on as well!
Thank you!
Reading Rick Steve's London 2008.
I am here through Sept. 8.
I'm trying to narrow down which markets to visit. I am in my mid 30's, female and interested in in antiques, leather goods, clothing, watches etc.
Which of these do you recommend?
Portobello Road Market
Camden Lock Market
Brixton Market
Petticoat Lane Market
Spitalfield's Market
If you know of any good markets not listed here, please pass those on as well!
Thank you!
Aug 28th, 2008, 04:35 AM
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Brixton Market I don't know, but I suspect it's a general market. For what you're looking for, in descending order of priority:
Portobello Road (Saturday)
Camden Lock - especially around the canalside
Spitalfields (Sunday) - have a look at Brick Lane: there tend to be some more chi-chi art-schooly designer types around.
Petticoat Lane will almost certainly disappoint.
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm
For antiques and watches, you could also try Camden Passage (which, confusingly, is at the Angel Islington).
Portobello Road (Saturday)
Camden Lock - especially around the canalside
Spitalfields (Sunday) - have a look at Brick Lane: there tend to be some more chi-chi art-schooly designer types around.
Petticoat Lane will almost certainly disappoint.
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm
For antiques and watches, you could also try Camden Passage (which, confusingly, is at the Angel Islington).
Aug 28th, 2008, 05:54 AM
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Borough Market is very famous and should be included in any such list IMO - quite different than more pedestrian other markets mentioned but interesting.
The official market web site:
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market. It was established on the south bank of the Thames when the Romans built the first London Bridge. ...
www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
The official market web site:
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market. It was established on the south bank of the Thames when the Romans built the first London Bridge. ...
www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
Aug 28th, 2008, 06:25 AM
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For antiques and collectibles (as well as some more modern creations), Greenwich market is always worth a look.
It also has the advantage of not being over-run by teenage goths/emos/punks (delete as appropriate)as Camden normally is.
It also has the advantage of not being over-run by teenage goths/emos/punks (delete as appropriate)as Camden normally is.
Aug 28th, 2008, 06:54 AM
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By the way, if you do want to visit the Camden Passage in Islington, be aware that for sometime it has been under extreme threat from developers who have sued to gain control of it and turn it into a conventional shopping mall.
If you go up, report back to say what's going on.
If you go up, report back to say what's going on.
Aug 28th, 2008, 06:55 AM
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Aug 28th, 2008, 07:22 AM
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There's no threat to Camden Passage - though a small proportion of its traders have been trying to pretend there is for some time.
There's a cluster of markets around Camden Passage. One of them is a relatively recently converted tramshed called The Mall, providing space for a couple of dozen at most of the 200 dealers in the complex.
The Mall is now going to be emptied of its current tenants so that - well, it's not very clear what. The other 200 dealers are unaffected.
The real action - especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the Passage itself is full of antiques stall - will be untouched by whatever the developers are doing.
I've always found The Mall the dullest part of Camden Passage. Whereas there are really quirky dealers manning the stalls - and they're always a good place to look for prized possessions whenever you get burgled - The Mall is just another gallery of standard London antiques shops. No more atmospheric than the clone mall its traders claim the developers are trying to replace them with.
There's a cluster of markets around Camden Passage. One of them is a relatively recently converted tramshed called The Mall, providing space for a couple of dozen at most of the 200 dealers in the complex.
The Mall is now going to be emptied of its current tenants so that - well, it's not very clear what. The other 200 dealers are unaffected.
The real action - especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the Passage itself is full of antiques stall - will be untouched by whatever the developers are doing.
I've always found The Mall the dullest part of Camden Passage. Whereas there are really quirky dealers manning the stalls - and they're always a good place to look for prized possessions whenever you get burgled - The Mall is just another gallery of standard London antiques shops. No more atmospheric than the clone mall its traders claim the developers are trying to replace them with.
Aug 28th, 2008, 07:28 AM
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Aug 28th, 2008, 08:03 AM
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Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?
20-odd shopkeepers, who've spent the past couple of decades paying low rents to run boring shops no-one really wants, are trying to pretend their business has anything at all to do with the vibrant market around them that's been there a hell of a lot longer.
And they're just spouting nonsense. There simply isn't a shred of evidence their demise will have any effect on the market at all. It did perfectly well before these people turned up, and it'll do a hell of a lot better if The Mall gets shops that actually attract people.
Half the space in The Mall's a restaurant anyway. And I don't think it's been run by anyone who knew how to run it properly in all its 30 years.
20-odd shopkeepers, who've spent the past couple of decades paying low rents to run boring shops no-one really wants, are trying to pretend their business has anything at all to do with the vibrant market around them that's been there a hell of a lot longer.
And they're just spouting nonsense. There simply isn't a shred of evidence their demise will have any effect on the market at all. It did perfectly well before these people turned up, and it'll do a hell of a lot better if The Mall gets shops that actually attract people.
Half the space in The Mall's a restaurant anyway. And I don't think it's been run by anyone who knew how to run it properly in all its 30 years.
Aug 28th, 2008, 08:04 AM
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Time Out also did a feature describing the threat to the unusual shops of the Mall in Camden Passage, and even is part of a campaign to save it. So the threat is quite real -- as the most recent news proves:
http://www.timeout.com/london/shoppi...es/2766/3.html
http://www.timeout.com/london/shoppi...es/2766/3.html
Aug 28th, 2008, 09:58 AM
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I think Portobello and Camden Passage are probably the top two.
Both have the advantage of some quite interesting shops aside from the markets themselves (eg Graham and Green homewares for Portobello, Paul Young chocolates for Angel).
Another one you might like would be Greys Antique market, which has a lot of jewellery and some vintage accessories and clothing. It's in two parts and you have to exit the first building to reach the second, out the back. The rear building has the majority of the antique clothing, and accessories such as old compacts, lucite bags, 20's and 60's dresses, perfume bottles etc. Downstairs there is the interesting feature of a stream running through the building which is said to be part of the River Tyburn. (In an older thread I'm fairly sure I referred to it as 'the Tiber', which has to go down as one of the best (or worst) Fodors gaffs of all time...) . Nearest tube, Bond St.
The market is not open weekends, except at Christmas.
Another interesting venue is Alfies Antique Market on Church St - vintage clothing, barware, jewellery, and a lot of mid century furniture, particularly Italian. Great light fittings. Some old childrens books. It's one of the more affordable antique markets, I find. There is a fairly decent cafe on the roof, with friendly staff. Nearest Tube, Edgeware Road.
You are not a million miles from Marylebone there, so could do the shops on the high st afterwards (Conran, Skandium, Patesserie Valerie etc).
Both have the advantage of some quite interesting shops aside from the markets themselves (eg Graham and Green homewares for Portobello, Paul Young chocolates for Angel).
Another one you might like would be Greys Antique market, which has a lot of jewellery and some vintage accessories and clothing. It's in two parts and you have to exit the first building to reach the second, out the back. The rear building has the majority of the antique clothing, and accessories such as old compacts, lucite bags, 20's and 60's dresses, perfume bottles etc. Downstairs there is the interesting feature of a stream running through the building which is said to be part of the River Tyburn. (In an older thread I'm fairly sure I referred to it as 'the Tiber', which has to go down as one of the best (or worst) Fodors gaffs of all time...) . Nearest tube, Bond St.
The market is not open weekends, except at Christmas.
Another interesting venue is Alfies Antique Market on Church St - vintage clothing, barware, jewellery, and a lot of mid century furniture, particularly Italian. Great light fittings. Some old childrens books. It's one of the more affordable antique markets, I find. There is a fairly decent cafe on the roof, with friendly staff. Nearest Tube, Edgeware Road.
You are not a million miles from Marylebone there, so could do the shops on the high st afterwards (Conran, Skandium, Patesserie Valerie etc).
Aug 29th, 2008, 12:47 PM
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looks like this thread is finished, but just in case anyone comes back - are there any 'food court' type markets, where the food is prepared & you can go from stand to stand tasting lots of different food? Like the one in Boston, but don't remember the name.
Aug 29th, 2008, 12:51 PM
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Not sure if Borough Market offers taste treats in its vendors stalls but that is the most of your type of market i can think of - not just your typical fruit and veg market. Upscale picnic supplies such as cheese from the world-famous Neal's Yard Dairy (sp?)
The new Whole Foods Market in Kensington may appeal to you for prepared food. No tastings however when i was there like in the U.S. - the Brits would take too many freebies perhaps and not buy much i think
The new Whole Foods Market in Kensington may appeal to you for prepared food. No tastings however when i was there like in the U.S. - the Brits would take too many freebies perhaps and not buy much i think
Aug 29th, 2008, 01:16 PM
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picture-girl,
FYI, Brixton Market(Electrc Avenue) is mainly afro-carribean food stalls, a little way out from central London, but right by the Tube station. The area is considered by some to be a little dodgy, but is OK in daylight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton_Market
FYI, Brixton Market(Electrc Avenue) is mainly afro-carribean food stalls, a little way out from central London, but right by the Tube station. The area is considered by some to be a little dodgy, but is OK in daylight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brixton_Market
Aug 29th, 2008, 01:27 PM
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No tastings however when i was there like in the U.S. - the Brits would take too many freebies perhaps and not buy much i think
You are spot on. We're shameless freebie-sluts over here in the UK. If there's a square of artisan cheese or a drop of organic olive oil, back off, because the Brits will be there like locusts.
I also recommend Borough Market, especially if you go on Thursday or Friday. Saturday is likely to be very busy.
Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday morning might be worth a diversion, too.
Don't miss Portobello, but if you go on Saturday, go early and try to avoid Notting Hill Tube station as it will be very busy.
You are spot on. We're shameless freebie-sluts over here in the UK. If there's a square of artisan cheese or a drop of organic olive oil, back off, because the Brits will be there like locusts.
I also recommend Borough Market, especially if you go on Thursday or Friday. Saturday is likely to be very busy.
Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday morning might be worth a diversion, too.
Don't miss Portobello, but if you go on Saturday, go early and try to avoid Notting Hill Tube station as it will be very busy.
Aug 29th, 2008, 02:02 PM
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"So the threat is quite real "
Can zeppole just not understand English? Is all this Firenze and Roma claptrap not just the absurd affectation of an ill-educated American we'd all assumed, but actually the result of English being a foreign language for her?
Zeppole claimed - on the basis of no evidence at all - that "Camden Passage in Islington...has been under extreme threat from developers"
When challenged on this ridiculous claim, she consistently tells us what every Islingtonian knows - that the 20 of the Passage's 200 dealers based in as recent development called The Mall are about to be kicked out. The 20 least successful, marginal, dealers at that - <b> none of whom deal in the Camden Passage twice-weekly street market this thread's about </b>
Her reply to every argument that The Mall is a trivial, johnny come lately, fringe of Camden Passage? To find another bit of propaganda from The Mall's lobbyists rabbiting on about crucial these 20 non-retailers are.
The woman clearly knows piss all about London - or simple logic or obviously the English language.
To revert to the subject of the thread. <b> Camden Passage's street market - and the overwhelming majority of its antiques malls - are under no threat whatsoever </b>
The claim that developers are trying to destroy it is a complete invention by an extraordinarily stupid and gullible woman. Whether her utterances about Genoa - as we call it in English - are equally absurd, I 've no idea. But she really ought to avoid spouting nonsense about things she knows nothing about
Can zeppole just not understand English? Is all this Firenze and Roma claptrap not just the absurd affectation of an ill-educated American we'd all assumed, but actually the result of English being a foreign language for her?
Zeppole claimed - on the basis of no evidence at all - that "Camden Passage in Islington...has been under extreme threat from developers"
When challenged on this ridiculous claim, she consistently tells us what every Islingtonian knows - that the 20 of the Passage's 200 dealers based in as recent development called The Mall are about to be kicked out. The 20 least successful, marginal, dealers at that - <b> none of whom deal in the Camden Passage twice-weekly street market this thread's about </b>
Her reply to every argument that The Mall is a trivial, johnny come lately, fringe of Camden Passage? To find another bit of propaganda from The Mall's lobbyists rabbiting on about crucial these 20 non-retailers are.
The woman clearly knows piss all about London - or simple logic or obviously the English language.
To revert to the subject of the thread. <b> Camden Passage's street market - and the overwhelming majority of its antiques malls - are under no threat whatsoever </b>
The claim that developers are trying to destroy it is a complete invention by an extraordinarily stupid and gullible woman. Whether her utterances about Genoa - as we call it in English - are equally absurd, I 've no idea. But she really ought to avoid spouting nonsense about things she knows nothing about
