Arcadia England

Find the best food, fashion and culture at these famous London markets

By Isabel Hughey

Borough Market

From the sizzling wheels of cheese being melted on sourdough to the hot dogs with fresh sauerkraut and mustard, Borough Market is a worldly place with so many delectable options. Nestled under Tower Bridge, Borough Market attracts a wide range of tourists and Londoners from Monday to Saturday. It is the perfect lunchtime retreat. It is one of the oldest and largest markets in London, which gives people a taste of culture and history with each delicious bite. In fact, Borough Market just celebrated its 1000^th birthday. In the early 20th century, Borough was a wholesale market that was the main supplier to grocers in London. You can really feel the history here. Looking up and seeing the Tower Bridge makes you feel like you are in a different era. When visiting, it is a must to get a jug of Pimm’s and a bowl full of Paella, cooked in pans as big as car tires. Getting a table is no easy task, but once you do, the people watching is as good as the food. The groups of men who celebrated with too many pints and the families trying to enjoy a fun afternoon make you feel like you are a part of the culture. After a delicious lunch, grab a baguette and some cheese for a lovely afternoon snack. But don’t forget about the desserts- cream-filled donuts, classic cheesecake, chocolate-dipped churros, warm sugar cookies, and powdered sugar topped pastries. Borough Market is a one of a kind place that transports you to places all over the world- but be prepared to go up a pant size by the end of your trip.

Borough Market (www.boroughmarket.org.uk) Open Monday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 8am-5pm. Closed Sunday. Prices start at £2.

Portobello Market

In the heart of Notting Hill lies Portobello Market. You may recognize it from Hugh Grant’s famous walk through the seasons in the romantic drama, “Notting Hill.” In London, however, it is more widely known as the largest antiques market in the world. Portobello on a Saturday afternoon is somewhat overwhelming. There are at least 100 stalls with people crowding around each one. It begins with the food stalls. There are so many people on Portobello Road that you feel like you are in a school of fish. But then- it opens up for a brief second and you find something that looks interesting. Portobello is special for this reason – it is overwhelming in the best way. When you find a glimpse of what you are looking for, it suddenly is worth the hundreds of other people on one tiny road. The best way to take on Portobello is to start at one end and simply make your way down to the other end. While it might not necessarily be in your price range or travel plans to purchase a British antique, the experience is priceless. There are treasures and memories located in Portobello Market unlike any other place in London. However, Portobello is well-rounded in that it does have more than antiques. The market has five sections – antiques, fruit and vegetables, new goods, fashion, and second hand goods - a little something for everyone. Plan to go on a Saturday, which is the busiest day but also the time when the most traders open their stalls. Portobello is sure to be one of your favorite parts of London, and you may even find something worth the extra baggage fee at the airport.

Portobello Market (www.portobelloroad.co.uk) Open Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-1pm and Friday-Saturday 9am-7pm. Prices start at £2.

Camden Market

Camden Market is a fun and edgy market that provides an entirely new perspective on London. In general, London is  known for its history and royal family, which gives it a fancier vibe- at least on the surface. Camden gives it an underground vibe that brings the posh and eclectic culture of London together. The area is comprised of several markets strung together into one giant area There are restaurants and pubs that also fill the area, but the real reason to go is for the fashion stalls. You can find anything and everything under the sun- fancy hats, wildly printed skirts, grungy shoes that might come back into style. From “Goth” to “Hippy”, Camden has it. Grab a pint and sit outside of the pub to watch the world go by. Men with mohawks and women with long flowy dresses make their way through the area. Most of central London feels highbrow and is filled with men in suits and ties and women talking on their cellphones desperately trying to get to the office on time. However, Camden is a place to escape the hustle and bustle of London’s work atmosphere and find a weird space that is far more relaxed. It’s also the place to find a great deal. Vintage handbags for less than £40 - it doesn’t get much better than that. Camden is a part of London that can be compared to famous cities like Nashville and Austin. It should be on the top of everyone’s list when they arrive in London.

Camden Market (camdenlock.net) Open Monday-Sunday 10am-6pm. Prices start at £2.

Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields combines high fashion with the grunge of Shoreditch. It is known for its fashion, arts, foods and crafts. The fashion is affordable and trendy, which is a rare combination. It is filled with many original designers that exclusively sell their items at Spitalfields. The clothes sold are both new and vintage. The vintage clothing is well kept and looks brand new There are two grungy men selling records that some people will spend hours on Amazon trying to acquire. They had an album of The Last Waltz performed by The Band at their last performance. It is truly incredible and a one of a kind experience. Thursday is the prime day for antique shopping. Vendors make it an all day affair to sell to Londoners and tourists. Friday brings all of the teenage girls trying to find the perfect outfit for the weekend. It is a top fashion destination to find great clothes for less. Saturday is the special day- the vendors create a theme each Saturday to abide by. It gives locals a chance to experience a new market each Saturday and tourists will enjoy any themes the vendors choose. However, there is more than just the market in this area- there are more award-winning restaurants than any other area in the UK. Brick Lane is known for the amazing curries. Cinnamon Restaurant is a short walk from Spitalfields and will complete the experience. Order the chicken vindaloo and garlic naan – you won’t be disappointed.

Old Spitalfields Market (www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com) Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. Prices start at £2.