Timlin

Hi from London all!! We are experiencing the nicest weekend they've had all summer.......can you beat that for luck?

Were to Borough Market this morning and it was "filled to capacity" but fun and I found the flax meal I had been searching for everywhere.....it's not as easy to find here in London as it is at home.

The city was absolutely buzzing today with everyone out and about enjoying the sunshine. Great fun!

cocofromdijon

I'm very happy you enjoyed your day at the market, I'm so jealous. Even more because I spent a few months in Elephant and Castle and have never been to Borough which is so close!

I'm going to London between Christmas and New Year arriving on a Sunday (28th to 31st exactly) Do you think Camden will be ok to visit on a Sunday afternoon or should we go later in the week (Monday or Tuesday)?
Thank you

Londonres

For a more authentic experience of a London market, try Roman Road Market - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (Mile End tube and a 10 minute walk or a number 8 bus).

Brick Lane Market (Sunday mornings) sells almost anything and is close to Spitalfields. Sunday Up in the old brewery on brick Lane is also worth a visit. Walk from Aldgate East tube or Liverpool St Station.

Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday mornings) sells flowers and plants, but there are lots of interesting shops and cafés in the neighbourhood. Catch a bus from Liverpool Street Station or Old Street tube.

darryl870

Wow you all talk about Borough Market. Don't get me wrong but it certainly is now on the tourist map. Three or four years ago on a Saturday there were about 5 people there - now you can't move any day and the prices have rocketed. Something to do possibly with the opening of the Tate Modern/the Globe Theatre/the swaying bridge etc - that whole river walk Waterloo Bridge to London Bridge is now crammed with people whereby a few years back it was deserted and one was very nervous walking it especially after dark! I used to love going into Southwick Cathedral (nice and darkish) but they have even hopped on the tourist bandwagen asking for rather large "recommended" entrance fees where before nothing was mentioned. I now give the area a pretty big miss preferring to do the Kew/Richmond/Twickenham river walk. Somewhat out of the centre but fun!

Kavey

I would agree that Borough Market is EXTREMELY crowded these days compared to a few years ago but I don't think that's wholly down to it being a tourist trap. People are simply getting far more interested in the provenance of their food and are more willing to travel a distance to a good market such as Borough to find it! Of course, the fact that it features on TV shows such as Market Kitchen and Masterchef means there is also a tourist element as well, though usually people with a genuine interest in food, if they were watching those programmes in the first place!
Crowded, yes but still worthwhile!

helen_belsize

Re Camden between Christmas and New Year.

The local businesses have been working to re-promote the whole area because the fire, which was in a very small area, although dramatic, has caused many to stay away. They have established a website so probably the best way to check what is and is not open.

http://www.turninglondonon.com/

or the more sober but informative

http://www.camdentownunlimited.com/vision

This is a big shopping time for the locals as well as visitors because most companies are closed between the two holidays. Look for bargains in the sales in the big stores too if you are in a shopping mood.