Historic London Markets - Leadenhall

Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens Did Their Shopping Here.

Jul 5, 2008

Many centuries ago a Roman basilica and forum stood here. This was the place to meet and discuss business, and to buy and sell goods. That tradition remains today.

The market continued to be used for the sale of fish, meat and poultry even though in 1666 parts of it were destroyed by the Great Fire. The current market was built in 1881. Designed by Horace Jones, who built other famous London markets, it is an architectural gem - its soaring glass and wrought iron arches protecting visitors from from the vagaries of the English weather. The Harry Potter movies occasionally used Leadenhall as 'Diagon Alley' where the wizards go to shop.

Leadenhall continued as a thriving meat and poultry market and was frequented by many famous Londoners. In the mid 17th century Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary that he purchased ‘a leg of beef, a good one, for sixpence here’. And later on, Charles Dickens mentioned it in ‘Dombey and Son’. It gets its name from a lead-roofed mansion that stood near here in the 14th century.

The market looks much as it did when Dickens was wandering around it. Today, the fish, meat and poultry sellers are gone but people still come here for food and Leadenhall is now noted for the quality of its restaurants and bars. In summer, tables and chairs line the cobbled avenues and there are food stalls with choices from Thai to Traditional British.

This is in the heart of the ‘City’, one of the most important financial centres in the world. The Bank of England is nearby. Built in the 18th century, this enormous fortress-like building is at the centre of the UK’s financial system. And no doubt, over the centuries the ‘city slickers’ from the bank came to the nearby market to quaff a pint of ale, enjoy a meat pie, and to discuss what best to do with the country’s purse, just as they do today.

Almost next door to the market is the futuristic architecture of the Lloyds Building, London’s other great financial centre. The London Stock Exhange is also close by.

Nowadays there are still a few traditional shops and the arcades are home to stalls selling all manner of different foods, with tables and chairs laid out on the cobbles. Come at lunchtime and you will find the arcades packed with the above-mentioned city workers - many of whom make straight for the Lamb Tavern which was originally built in 1790. It was rebuilt around 1880. Lunchtimes are hectic and it's standing room only on the ground floor.

If you would like to see Leadenhall Market from a different perspective, visit at the weekend when the City crowds have gone - it’s an excellent time to photograph the architecture, especial the interesting details which are often hidden by the hustle and bustle going on.

The copyright of the article Historic London Markets - Leadenhall in Historical Travel is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish Historic London Markets - Leadenhall in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.