Black Friday is fast approaching & whether you are looking for real leather jackets or a noughties mini skirt, London’s bustling markets are just the place to go to get your hands on unique pieces from across the globe. For centuries, London has thrived on a wide-scale second-hand market. But, with a city as huge as London, it’s sometimes overwhelming to source out the hidden gems - that’s why we have compiled this list for you to use next time you're up in the smoke.
Here's our top 10 list:
One of the most recognisable on this list, Brick Lane has been a tourist hot-spot for years. Widely known for its colourful street art, international food stalls & diverse collection of vintage clothes. Dating back 450 years, it’s located in between Shoreditch & Whitechapel and known (for great reason) as one of the best spots in East London. Many authentic sustainable clothing brands have merged up from starting in Brick Lane. For instance, we have a stall at Brick Lane vintage market offering people the chance to visit a brick & mortar version of our online business.
Open daily, Spitalfields hosts themed market days (such as secret gigs or pre-loved designer pop-ups). Come along Thursdays for antiques day, a known gem for the second-hand market community & guarantees you to leave with something for all the family.
If you're free on the weekend, then why not come down to Greenwich market just tucked away on a small street outside of the food & craft market. The East End laughter fills the stalls as locals come to grab themselves a bargain from their busy work-week.
Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair
London’s original & iconic fashion fair is a bi-monthly treat held in Kensington Town Hall. Home to serious retro looks, that transport you back to the 1920’s flapper girl or the 70’s groovy prints. This designer paradise might set you back, but will certainly let you get a hand on unique pieces dating back in time.
Known to many as “the world’s best market” (and definitely the largest) Portobello Road is a haven of food, fashion, music & culture. Often described as “real London”, locals & visitors walk the streets every Friday to Sunday, hoping to find an antique gem in the jumble sale. Although it's been open for over 200 years, Portobello Road picked up serious traffic after World War 2 ; keeping the attention of traders from far & wide.
An insider’s secret, this 5 storey warehouse hosts over 75 antique traders who specialize in 20th-century garments. Be sure to head upstairs to the rooftop restaurant afterwards to get yourself a hot beverage after a successful shopping spree.
Held every Friday morning in Bermondsey Square, this antique market is for the early birds. Regulars get down around 5am to make sure they find the hidden gems first - so if you're a night owl maybe pass on this one.
Inside Covent Garden, this market hosts a range of stalls rotating each weekday for different antique categories. Alongside the pretty scenery, this bustling market houses lots of vintage pieces at accessible price points and is open for 12 hours on a Monday.
Fashion’s future, these markets are a social hub for people to enjoy a wide variety of treasure digging, delicious food & underground music. Typically, Vinegar Yard is known for its younger demographic in comparison to other vintage markets on this list, making it a must-do in London.
Finally, we couldn’t finish this list without mentioning the beautiful Camden’s Passage in Islington. Quintessentially British cobbled street bustling with a collection of electric shops & stalls, creates a lively vibe & beautiful spot to do some vintage sourcing alone or with friends.
Referencing
About (no date) Bermondsey Antiques Market. Available at: https://bermondseyantiquemarket.co.uk/about (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Alfies (no date) Homepage. Available at: https://www.alfiesantiques.com/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Digital@trumanbrewery.com (no date) Brick Lane Vintage market, Brick Lane Vintage Market. Available at: http://vintage-market.co.uk/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Events (no date) Old Spitalfields Market. Available at: https://oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Frock me! vintage fashion fair (no date) Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair. Available at: https://www.frockmevintagefashion.com/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Home - camden passage, Islington (no date) Home - Camden Passage, Islington. Available at: https://www.camdenpassageislington.co.uk/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Our markets stalls (2019) Jubilee Market. Available at: https://jubileemarket.co.uk/our-markets-stalls/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Portobello road market (2017) Portobello Road Market. Available at: https://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Rooster, R. (2022) The 17 best vintage & antique market in London, Red Rooster London. Available at: https://redroosterldn.com/vintage-market-london/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Vinegar yard (no date) Vinegar Yard. Available at https://www.vinegaryard.london/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Welcome to greenwich market! (no date) greenwichmarket.london. Available at: https://greenwichmarket.london/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Wilson-Powell, G. (2017) The best vintage and second-hand markets in London, Culture Trip. The Culture Trip. Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/the-best-vintage-and-second-hand-markets-in-london/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Yoong, S. (2021) The colourful history of Brick Lane in East London, The Culture Map. Available at: https://www.theculturemap.com/brick-lane-east-london-history/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Written By Georgia Sharples