No holiday is complete without shopping, but some people travel just to shop. London, featuring over 300 markets, is one of the top ten shopping destinations in the world. The city prides itself on its boutiques, designer labels, high street chain stores, street markets and well-known department stores- Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.
Borough Market / London’s Larder on Borough High Street, a gourmet food market, stocks local and imported fresh produce, including breads, cakes, cheeses, ciders, coffees, fish, meats, patisseries and vegetables. The oldest food market of London was inaugurated in the 13th century.
Brick Lane Market, a flea market, sells antiques, bric-a-brac, clothes, furniture and weird items at bargain prices. The market comes alive on Sundays when people throng the place to hawk their used wares. Street performances complement the vibrant atmosphere. Ethnic eateries like Bangladeshi curry houses and Jewish bagel shops do good business.
Camden Lock, a big market near Regents Canal, was opened to sell authentic arts and crafts in 1974, but today it stocks a diverse range of goods – accessories, designer clothes, artwork, food, furnishings and photographs. Upcoming artists rented studios to show and sell their work. The tradition continues. Customers can visit studios any day except Christmas Day to see the entire process of designing and producing.
Portobello Road Market, known for antiques in 1950s, also offers music, clothes, breads, posters etc. The largest antique market in the world sells Scottish and country goods made from cashmere, lambs-wool, mohair and tweed, branded British tableware, collectables from across the world.
Greenwich Market, originated as a Royal Charter Market in the 18th century, still features some of the original horse stables and cattle slaughterhouses currently used as storage space. However, glazed and steel-trussed roof replaced the timber roof in 1908. The byelaws, enacted in 1905, stopped trading on bank holidays, Christmas and Sundays. In 1980s, arts and craft shops were introduced in the market that was set up for vegetables, fruits, poultry, butter, eggs, fish and, dead and live meats. Today, it sells designer products, small cottage industry products, jewelry, accessories, gifts and clothes from Wednesday to Sunday. Even some shops remain open all seven days a week. The market theme is organic and fresh food for Wednesday; antiques, arts, crafts and collectables for Thursday and Friday.
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One response to “London Markets for Shopaholics”
Report an inappropriate commentSeptember 5th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I feel the need to go back soon..
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