Getting confused between which London markets are for flowers and Hugh Grant and other fine things, and which are for butcher’s meat and car parts? It happens to the best of us.

There are a ton of markets you can visit in London, but this guide will show you the nicest ones, and the ones with minimal smelly meat, that are worth a visit. It’s a great way to discover new neighborhoods or enjoy a rainy Sunday morning in the big city.

Portobello Road Market

Young Hugh Grant is everyone’s “goofy British dude”, and if you’ve watched the super famous rom-com Notting Hill, Portobello Market is a MUST. The market itself is located in Notting Hill and you can even find the house and bookstore where the film was shot.

The market is open Monday to Wednesday (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and only until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open until 7:00 p.m. Saturday is the best if you want to buy antiques.

Although a bit pricey (it’s London, don’t look so surprised), the area with its cute cafes, shops and architecture is also worth a visit, on foot or by bike Santander.

Camden Market

Not too far from UCL, you can get off the tube at Chalk Farm to reach Camden Market. It is your best option for wall posters, room decoration and if you are looking for tourist gifts. They also sell dainty jewelry, incense, hippie and retro clothing, street food and more.

The food is excellent. You will be offered fried chicken or Thai curry to taste a thousand times over so you can have lunch for free while you browse.

One of Camden Market’s most famous attractions is the Cyberdog shop, which, among alien dancers on the ceiling, has all manner of neon outfits, flashy colors and rave music. There’s even an 18+ sex shop in the basement if you want to go wild.

Camden Market is one of the biggest, with tons of areas, mazes and people trying to sell you things, so you could literally get lost in it for a day. It’s hard to see it all, so it’s worth making a few visits to really experience it!

brick path

On Sundays (10am-5pm), Brick Lane is definitely my go to market. It’s a little further from campus, about half an hour’s journey on the Victoria line, then the Overground to Shoreditch High Street.

Still, the street food is so delicious that it’s worth the trip. They have famous rainbow bagel bakeries, a ton of vintage markets, and wonderful local stores to explore and support the Brick Lane community.

The area is also great for clubbing if you fancy venturing somewhere cool for your night out. There are places like Cargo and XOYO in this part of town.

Bloomsbury Farmers Market

If you are a student at UCL, you definitely cannot miss the Bloomsbury Farmers Market. It is literally in Torrington Square, just behind SOAS, and takes place on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

You can picnic in Gordon Square or eat with friends on the benches. Most of the produce is sustainable and sourced from local farms, and they make the best lunches at pretty reasonable prices considering you get fresh food right next to the university.

It just reopened after being closed for the pandemic, and there’s a Facebook group if you want to stay up to date. Because who doesn’t want their notifications filled with healthy food content from the farmers market?

Covent Garden

Although not technically a market, Covent Garden is still considered one of the best in London. It’s a really cute pedestrian area, with cafes, restaurants, street performers and lots of cool shops.

Venchi is one of the best places if you want to have a hot chocolate and experience the cliché atmosphere of a romantic movie when it snows. There are also old London pubs in the area, and it’s quite close to Bloomsbury.

If you are looking for the website, make sure you are not on the Covent Garden Canadian Market page in London, Ontario. The right website is this one. I may or may not have made this mistake before. You’ll never know anyway.

Columbia Road Flower Market

It might not be that varied, but the box says it all – Columbia Road is the prettiest flower market you’ll go to in London. It’s only open on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but it’s very popular, so get down early so you don’t have to wait in line as much.

From summer’s biggest sunflowers, to adorable handmade flowerpots, to all the decorations you’ll need to cover your ugly plain nature dorm and embrace your inner plant mother, the flower market increases serotonin at least 200%.

neighborhood market

At London Bridge, and right next to the Shard, is Borough Market, located under an architecturally historic railway line; in fact, a market has always existed on this site since the 12th century.

It’s a bit more rustic than the others, and it’s more about fresh fish which is really windy, but the vendors also come with fresh pasta, herbs, organic vegetables, tea, coffee and Moreover. There are flowers, room decorations, lots of street food stalls, and even an area where exhibits are held.

Borough Market is a glorious day out not to be missed, especially in a place where you can head to the Shard’s restaurant for dinner afterwards or stroll along the Thames to the Globe.

Whether you’re new to London this year and just need some expert advice on some booming markets, or you’re an older student who’s just thrilled to see them all bustling again post-lockdown, go for it as much as you can!

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