Fergusbrandon

London is known for its extravagant living, upmarket boutiques and mile straits of high-street shops, however, it is not overly famous for grabbing a bargain. If you enjoy hunting for a discount or digging for hidden treasures amongst the stalls, believe it or not, London has a lot to offer you with its wide range of markets that harbour everything from antiques to fashion, from Leadenhall go Netil, the stalls reach from far and wide and are guaranteed to have something that you will fall in love with without emptying your bank account.

Camden Market

Possibly the most famous market in the city, Camden Market is situated a short walk away from the Park Grand Paddington Hotel and it is the fourth most popular tourist destination in London. Camden Market is made up of subsections of larger markets such as Camden Town and Camden Lock and it is famous for selling a wide and eclectic range of products such as fast food, clothing, furniture and other collectibles. Some stalls are opened throughout the week but the main trading time is the weekend with over 100,000 people visiting the market over Saturday and Sunday. It is definitely one for the tourists, just don’t forget to haggle.

Portobello Road Market

Less than 20 minutes away from the hotels near Bayswater Tube Station lies Portobello Road Market. If you are an avid antiques collector then this is the market place to visit as it has been deemed the largest antiques market in the world, housing 1,000 dealers with an array of collectibles and antique furniture and trinkets for you to haggle your way through. Saturday is the day to visit when the market is in full swing with hagglers, traders and street performers.

Like Camden Market, Portobello Market is made up of several smaller markets along different roads and streets; Chepstow Villas and Elgin Crescent is where you can find the antiques selection with silver, glassware, books, coins and other collectibles from BC up until 1960’s. Elgin Crescent to Talbot Road is the food stalls where you can buy a whole host of fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, fish and cheese. Scattered around different sections is the fashion part of the market, where you can purchase anything from the latest trends to vintage pieces; there are even stalls from budding new fashion designers where you will be able to get your hands on clothing that maybe worth three times the price in the future.

Leadenhall Market

One of the oldest markets in London, Leadenhall Market dates back to the 14th century and is located a tube ride away from The Piccadilly London West End on what used to be the very centre of Roman Londinium. It is just over the road from the famous Gherkin building and sells a range of delights such as flowers, meat, fruit, cheese and vegetables with a few commercial sites scattered around, such as a bookshop and clothes shops. It is well known for its structure and decoration with a stunning green, cream and maroon interior and a richly decorated roof which was designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones. The structure alone makes this market a tourist destination and the market has been used in many films and television programmes; it was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as well as being used in the following six films and it was used as the setting for a banquet for the television programme The Great British Menu.

Broadway Market

Just outside the main city of London is Broadway Market, a typical market place where traders sell their homegrown or handmade products. Some stalls trade throughout the week but it is on Saturday that the market flourishes with its array of freshly baked breads and cakes, flowers, meats, fish, jewellery and clothing. It is open from 7.30am until 6pm and there are a good selection of cafes and restaurants around the market if you needed to refuel.

Netil Market

Netil Market is the younger sister of Broadway Market and it has flourished since its birth in 2011. Instead of selling antiques or bric-a-brac, it is the place where budding new artists, designers and bakers showcase their talents and their artistic wares. It is open 7 days a week with Saturday being market day; this is when outside traders join the residents at the market.

There are a wonderful mix of stalls in Netil Market such as FIELD of London, that create stunning bouquets and arrangements from locally sourced flowers. They usually add a slight twist to traditional displays to add their own touch to the piece and you can even arrange a monthly delivery with them too. Mabel’s Attic is a dream for any vintage lover with a stunning pieces from the late 1800’s right up to the 80’s, so if you’re looking for a delicate Victorian blouse or a funky 80’s skirt, Mabel’s Attic has you covered.

If you have a passion for unique jewellery then take a look at We Are Arrow and Rebecca Gladstone at the market. These ladies have a unique approach to their jewellery designs; Tatiana from We Are Arrow incorporates the ancient technique of wax casting to create her pieces which gives each piece a slight imperfection which makes each creation completely unique. Rebecca Gladstone was an Art & Design teacher who creates stunning geometric shaped accessories with sharp cutting lines and beautiful graphics in silver and in bronze. Her jewellery is for those who like to make a bold additional statements to their outfits while Tatiana’s are less polished and much softer. Both ladies can be found in the market and can do commissions so if you have an idea in mind, head down to their stalls for a chat.

As well as an opticians, a barber’s, a bicycle shop and a brewer supplier, there is also an incredibly quirky card shop that provides tongue-in-cheek celebrations cards for any event. These are unique to Netil Market and are inspired by day to day events, celebrities and London itself, so if you like a card with a difference that makes you giggle then get yourself to The Naughty Little Card Shop.