aside from camden town, portabello market, covent garden and hammersmith, what are other markets can i go.?

Question

am new in London, i want to shop, but have limited budget. i want to go to markets with the cheapest prices, or, products are on sale.

Answer 1

Avoid Covent Garden. Its no longer a real market and is mainly the run of the mill high street shops with thousands of tourists!

There are normally some good local markets for food. Depending where you live you may want to dig out some farmers markets as well. Borough Market (Sat AM, London Bridge station) is the most famous for food but is VERY busy and is aimed at those with a bit of spare cash! Worth a visit for the sheer pleasure alone but be warned, it can be expensive if you start tasting things! ("ooh yeah, that's nice, one of them please"..)

Spitalfields Market (Sun, Liverpool Street stn) is another famous and massive market. Recently regenerated it has lost its quirky edge to some extent but is a fantastic market to go to. Eclectic mix of food, clothes, bric-a-brac, furniture and retro goods. Also located in a great area so you can pop over to Brick Lane which has some good stores in the Old Truman Brewery and has a Sunday market.

Very nearby is Petticoat Lane market, which has sprawled away from Petticoat Lane itself and has become a bit tatty. It now has a good mix of standard market stalls selling everything from clothes, bags, tools, CDs etc. Worth looking at to pick up some cheap bargains or just for real cheap junk! Also Sunday.

Columbia Road market is fantastic! Its a plant and flower market on a long narrow road and it is absolutely heaving! Follow the signposts from Liverpool Street or grab a short bus ride. Excellent place to sort out your garden!

For a whole list of food markets check out the London Farmers Market website:
http://www.lfm.org.uk/

Be warned, Peckham Farmers Market is not worth a special visit!

A good way to find a real local market near to you is to visit the local councils website. All street traders are licensed by the borough council so you can find out what markets are on, when, and how many pitches they have. (Also how many are free gives you an indication of the quality!)

In Wandsworth we have Battersea High Street market which is really just half a dozen stalls but is very busy with the local stocking up on cheap fruit and veg and other bits and bobs.

For a more hi-brow trip, head to Clapham Junction and walk to Northcote Road. Not only is the market along there pretty good (bread, olives, fruit, plants, etc) but the shops along Northcote Road are mainly small independent traders and it has a great reputation in the area.

http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/CommunityServices/Businesssupport/Towncentres/northcote.htm

Be warned it is also known as Nappy Valley for its location in the valley between Clapham and Wandsworth commons and its affluent pram pushing 30 somethings!

For a real flavoursome local market in north London, head to Walthamstow on a Saturday. The main pedestrianised street there had a great range last time i went and it is 'real' market traders and is definitely not aimed at the rich buggy types!

Moving slightly in there is Dalston market, which is actually know as something else but I can't remember the name. Head to Dalston Kingsland station and follow your nose. Ethnic market with lots of halal, Caribbean, and African food and stalls. Don't expect anything posh around there as its not the wealthiest part of town!


Transport for London used to do a great leaflet with all the markets on and how to get there. Worth picking up if they still do it.

Other than that I would say, just head out and explore!
Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

It depends what you want to buy.

Petticoat Lane has a good selection as does Spitalfieds.

Borough Market is good for food.

Although if you're on a tight budget Supermarkets can sometimes be cheaper for food and Primark for clothes!

Answer 3

Tescos