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 Street
markets like Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane, Greenwich,
Camden Look/Passage, and Gabriel’s Wharf/Riverside are but a
sample of the more than three dozen London street markets.
Some specialize in produce, other’s like Brixton are ethnic
with, in this case a Caribbean flavor. Many mix produce
household items, junk and antiques in a rather random manner
that maximizes the sense of discovery. Values vary.
If you know more than the vendor, you can get deals. Dickering
is acceptable, but realize stallholders have often bargained
for generations.
Portobello
Road opens early on Saturday.
Start at the Notting Hill end for upscale offerings,
and expect to get decent deals due to the low overhead at the
2,000 or more stalls. The
market strings out a long way down the hill and the lower the
elevation the lower the prices and quality.
If you are in London the last weekend in August, shop
until about noon and then boogie down the street with the mobs
that pack in for the biggest Carnival this side of Rio. Those
who like loud music, wild costumes, and “party hearty”
find heaven here.
Petticoat
Lane’s offers rags to riches in the clothing line.
Those with an eye can find wonderful garments from
Victorian times. A number of new designers offer mod duds, and
the leather ranges from weird to wonderful. It’s the best clothing market in London, if not the
cheapest, and grazing on street food here is highly
recommended.
Greenwich
Market enjoys the best location in London, and the nicest trip
down on the river and the best crafts – the last in its own
separate, and covered market.
There used to be a lot more antique shops of nautical
bent here, but today’s shops are worth visiting any day and
on Saturday and Sunday there are at least three separate
markets specializing in crafts, furniture, books, coins,
stamps and medals.
TIP: Always
try to get there early as antique dealers graze street markets
to stock their shops. Don’t
overlook the Vietnamese noodle shop just to the right as you
come up from the Thames.
Camden Lock
is but one of a massive complex of shops and markets along the
old 1820’s Regents Canal.
There are at least 250 stalls and over 100 workshops
scattered through a warren of rather dilapidated brick
buildings in a neighborhood filled with folks into blue hair
and body piercing. Not
to worry, the natives are friendly, the art, crafts and
antiques are properly priced and the scene will bring tears to
the eyes of oldsters who remember Woodstock or the Summer of
Love.
TIP: Good
vegetarian and other affordable restaurants suit those who
work up an appetite in, up, down and around the stairs, ramps,
landings, halls of the rabbit warren of shops.
A ride on a canal boat rests ones feet.
Gabriel and
Riverside Walk Markets remind travelers of Paris with the
views of the river, the small shops around the bandstand and
the booksellers down towards Waterloo Bridge.
There’s a sort of ethnic, hippie feel here and the
market’s one that you could catch coming back from the
country on a train into Waterloo Station.
It also combines with a visit to the Imperial
War Museum and other South Bank Attractions
Covent
Gardens is, of course, one of the best markets in
London, but it offers up so much else, it deserved separate
treatment.
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