Page 339 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

SHOPS AND M ARKE T S  337

Leadenhall Market is a mecca for those interested in the Fridays and Saturdays. It’s also
Whittington Ave EC3. Map 15 C2. latest street fashion trends. Many worth venturing into the covered
1 Bank, Monument. Open 10am– young designers have stalls, and Portobello Green market, which
6pm Mon–Fri. See p162. prices are also reasonable. The stalls has an interesting mix of small
There has been a marketplace on are of mixed quality, so you have shops selling everything from
this site since medieval times, but to search for the gems. The organic avant-garde fashion to kitsch
the present spectacular glass-roofed food stalls and a selection of cafés cushions and lingerie. From this
structure was built in 1881. make it a good brunch venue. A point on, the market becomes
Leadenhall Market traditionally varying number of stalls are open increasingly shabby.
sold fish, meat and poultry, but only during the week.
fishmonger HS Linwood & Sons Ridley Road Market
remains. The smart red and green Petticoat Lane Market Ridley Rd E8. 3 Dalston.
façades now bear the names of Middlesex St E1. Map 16 D1. Open 6am–6pm Mon–Thu,
upmarket clothing chains, 1 Liverpool St, Aldgate, Aldgate East. 6am–7pm Fri & Sat.
restaurants, pubs and gift shops. Open 9am–2pm Sun (Wentworth St
Leadenhall does, however, retain 10am–4:30pm Mon–Fri). See p173. Early last century, Ridley Road was
a centre of the Jewish community.
something of its reputation as a
centre for fine food. More than Probably the most famous of all Since then, Asians, Greeks, Turks
London’s street markets, Petticoat
and West Indians have also settled
a dozen stalls set up shop on the
cobblestones beneath this dramatic Lane continues to attract many in the area and the market is a lively
structure Monday to Friday from thousands of visitors and locals every celebration of this cultural mix.
10am to 6pm, selling European Sunday. The prices may not be as Highlights include the 24-hour
cheeses, cured meats, baked cheap as elsewhere, but the sheer bagel bakery, shanty-town shacks
goods, condiments and other volume of leather goods, clothes selling green bananas and reggae
gourmet delicacies. (Petticoat Lane’s traditional strong records, colourful drapery stalls,
point), watches, cheap jewellery and cheap fruit and vegetables.
Leather Lane Market and toys more than make up for
that. A variety of fast-food sellers Roman Road Market
Leather Lane EC1. Map 6 E5. do a brisk trade catering for the
1 Farringdon, Chancery Lane. bustling crowds that throng Roman Rd, between Parnell Rd and
Open 10am–2pm Mon–Fri. the market on a weekend. St Stephen’s Rd E3. 1 Bethnal Green.
This ancient street, originally called @ 8. Open 10am–4pm Tue & Thu,
9am–5pm Sat. Farmers’ market 1st
Leveroun Lane, has played host to a Piccadilly Crafts Market Sat of month.
market for over 300 years. The history St James’s Church, Piccadilly W1.
of the lane, however, has nothing to This lively market established in
do with leather. Stalls here sell cut- Map 13 A3. 1 Piccadilly Circus, Green the 19th century has a real East
Park. Open antiques: 10am–6pm Tue.
price high-street clothes, plus shoes, End flavour and traditionally sells
bags, jewellery and accessories. Arts and crafts: 10am–6pm Wed–Sat. everything from cheap bedding
All are well worth a browse. Many of the markets in the Middle and fashion to cut-price cleaning
Ages were held in churchyards and products and fruit and veg. Chances
Marylebone Farmers’ Piccadilly Crafts Market has rekindled are that you’ll be treated to some
colourful Cockney patter from the
that ancient tradition. It is aimed
Market mostly at visitors rather than locals, stallholders trying to drum up
Cramer St car park, behind Marylebone and the merchandise ranges from custom. As well as the standard
High St W1. Map 4 D5. 1 Baker St, tacky T-shirts to wooden toys. All are market traders, some more unusual
Bond St. Open 10am–2pm Sun. spread out in the shadow of Wren’s vendors, street entertainers and
There are many farmers’ markets beautiful church (see p94). special events add variety to the
across the city, enabling farmers mix; you could find yourself tempted
and other producers to sell directly Portobello Road Market by handmade jewellery, vintage
to the public. Locations include Portobello Rd W10. Map 9 C3. clothes or antiques.
Islington Green and the car park
behind Waterstones, Notting Hill, 1 Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove. Shepherd’s Bush Market
Open antiques and junk:
but Marylebone is the largest and
most central, offering seasonal fruit 5:30am–5:30pm Sat. General market: Goldhawk Rd W12. 1 Goldhawk Rd,
Shepherd’s Bush.
9am–6pm Mon–Wed, 9am–1pm Thu,
and veg, dairy products, fish, meat, 9am–7pm Fri & Sat. See p223. Open 9am–6pm Mon–Sat.
breads, preserves and sauces. There
is also a line-up of excellent gourmet Portobello Road is really three or four A focal point for many local ethnic
shops in adjacent Moxon Street, markets rolled into one. The Notting communities, this rambling market
including a renowned rare-breed Hill end has more than 1,000 stalls in contains an impressive volume of
pork butcher, the Ginger Pig, and numerous arcades and on the street eclectic wares. West Indian food,
La Fromagerie delicatessen with its itself, displaying a variety of jewellery, Afro wigs, Asian spices, exotic fish,
extensive cheese cave. old medals, paintings and silverware. rugs and other household goods
Most stalls are managed by experts, are just some of the attractions.
Old Spitalfields Market so bargains are very rare. Further There are acres of cheap clothing
down the gentle hill, antiques give for every occasion, from floral flannel
Commercial St E1. Map 8 D5. way to fruit and vegetables. The next nighties and men’s suits to clubwear
1 Aldgate East, Liverpool St. transformation comes under the and elaborately beaded wedding
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Wed, Westway flyover, where young gowns. Cheap fabric stalls are a
9am–5pm Thu & Sat, 10am–4pm Fri, fashion designers sell inexpensive highlight of the Shepherd’s Bush
11am–5pm Sun. See p173. creations alongside second-hand Market, and there is even an on-site
The main market is on a Sunday, and clothes, record and food stalls on tailor and barber.
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