LONDON MARKETS??
 

Is the Portobello Market still worth a look?
Or should we head to Camden Lock...OR?? Many thanks...going October 10th - 17th.

They are very different markets. I think Portobello is mostly a tourist draw unless you go super early and are a serious market hunter for collectibles and antiques. Even then....Meanwhile, Camden and Camden Lock are funky and fun stuff but not much more except for a few "collectible" stalls.

Camden Lock - near Camden Town tube - is aimed at late teens/ early 20's and those of us who sometimes pretend we still are. On Sundays, the area around is also interesting is you can stand the sight of that many young people in one place. Fascinating shop fronts. And not a scintilla of antiques, charm, English good taste or any of that stuff you'll be sick of after a couple of days here.
Camden Passage (Angel tube) is a major antiques centre: probably Britain's (ie Europe's) heaviest concentration. Best day Saturday. Lots of lowish-value stuff on temporary stalls, and many serious, high-security, shops around. As well as specialist collectibles (WW2 kitsch, clocks. You name it).

Try walkling between them on the canal tow path (2 miles or so. ONLY in daylight. But perfectly safe - and surprisingly full of fishermen - by day)

Why don't you try Spitalfields?

Its on Sunday in Liverpool Street and is sort of how Portobello used to be - full of young funky designers, 2nd hand clothes, some antiques, interiors and fantastic food. Whilst in the area you can check out Pettycote Lane (also a market, don't get it confused with Spitalfields - its not as good!) and Brick Lane. Have a curry and beer in Brick Lane and walking through Fashion Street for some really funky shops.

Portobello is OK but you will spend all day getting annoyed with the tourists. But, if you can put up with that its OK and better than Camden.

There's also Bermondsey Market. If you do a text search here for London AND antique markets you should bring up several threads.

THANKS FOR ALL THE TERRFIC INFO!!!!!!! Just what I need!!! It's been three years since my last trip to London...didn't want to waste a precious minute!