Shopping is more fun in a market. From fish to flowers, you can buy almost anything from the street markets of London.
London is a very old city and there have been street markets here since the Romans founded Londinium around 43 AD. Part of their grand plan for the walled city was a market square. It seemed like a good idea but Saxon invaders didn’t think so and put an end to such trading. However, merchants were as persistant as they probably are today and it wasn’t long before a number of markets sprang up and by the late 17th century many were well established.
In the Victorian era they sprouted up everywhere and by the end of the 19th century there were about a hundred markets trading in the streets of London. In those days they were much noisier places than they are today. The air was full of street cries, fortune tellers and entertainers and plenty of places where people could dance and drink away their wages.
Sometimes you can find a real bargain but it’s not always good idea to make this your goal. Better to just wander and enjoy the banter between sellers and buyers and pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables, a bunch of roses, or a trendy t-shirt for half the price you would pay in a store.
I will introduce you to some of the best known markets in London. Mostly they are open at weekends, with a few exceptions. so you won’t be able to visit a different one each day of the week but you will enjoy mingling with Londoners and you will enjoy exploring the street markets of London.
