With a range of markets all across London from food to flowers to second-hand goods, where’s the best place to go if you’re looking for flea market goods?
In your search for antique furniture, genuine silverware, vintage accessories, and other random items that used to belong to someone else, the following is a list of 20 of the best markets available in London that might help you narrow down your search for what you’re looking for. Most of these venues provide options to shop with a credit card, however for some of the smaller items you might try to have some cash on hand.
In addition, the majority of the locations aren’t easily accessible by car, as a result it’s best to access them by the Tube. If you’re a serious vintage shopper, you might want to get to the venues as early as possible to snag the best deals. Good luck in your search!
1. Deptford Market
This market is filled with stalls supplying a wide assortment of goods that historically started as a cattle market in 1872. Ranging from antiques to clothing, to fresh produce; this is a market where you can grab a pair of high heels along with a fish to cook for dinner. You have to sort through lots of random items to find the gems. However, you won’t have a chance to bargain because the sellers are watching out for those trying to get a bargain.
The market runs three days a week with stalls lining the streets around the train station, so you’ll have to plan a trip there on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm. It might be a better idea to take the train to the market as driving around the area is very tricky and crowded.
2. Kingsland Market
A historical market that first opened in 1880, originally started as a place for people to trade unwanted goods or “waste.” For a long period of time, it was the go-to spot for secondhand goods, however by 2015 there was only one stall left. The current market runs every Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Most stalls sell secondhand goods, vintage items, collectables, antiques, and the occasional waste trader sprinkled into the mix.
3. Hackney Flea Market
Located on Stoke Newington’s Church Street, the market stocks a range of eclectic goods from jewelry, vintage fabric, mid-century modern design furniture, vintage maps, and kitchen items. Homemade food items are also available throughout the day in the accompaniment of DJs performing to add to the ambiance. The same group of owners run Peckham Salvage Yard, one of the largest outdoor weekend markets in London. At this market you can find vintage clothing, ceramics, electronics, and suitcases.
New designers are encouraged to participate as long as their products aren’t mass produced. You can also bargain to get a better deal on most items. The market isn’t held on a regular basis so you need to check their website under the events section for updates and any pop-up events they might have.
After the renovation of Spitalfields, some of its original merchants aren’t happy with the changes as rents have increased but it has revamped the look of the market. It now combines the covered market dating back to 1887 and the modern shopping locale next door. The benefit of the covered market is the ease of shopping on a rainy London day. There is a selection of unique creations by newly emerging designers, a vintage clobber, crafts, and more.
Be sure to check out the Vinyl Market if you’re a music lover. Wait for the first and third Friday of each month to find music ranging from 1960s psychedelic albums to 1990s hip-hop. They also have a substantial collection of jewelry with vintage, retro, and new pieces by popular new designers. The market itself is open every day.
5. Sunbury Antiques
Having been around for the last 40 years or so, this bi-monthly market is definitely worth a visit. The market is a popular locale for prop buyers, celebrities, and royals. It’s also a good place for regular people to find unusual housewares. It is known to attract European traders, so you don’t have to go across the Channel to find French farmhouse style furniture, for example.
The second location at Sandown Park Racecourse allows for more vintage options for the intrepid shopper.
6. Angels Fancy Dress
The oldest and largest costume store in the UK, Angels employs trained costumiers who have worked on film and TV sets as well as theatre. Although their stores are temporarily closed, you can still shop online at their website.
7. Wood Street Indoor Market
You can find pretty much everything you’re looking for in this market in Walthamstow. Ranging from food stalls to beauty shops, jewelry makers, and more; you can find it at Wood Street. They specialize in vintage items such as clothing, antique furniture, wigs, retro children’s’ toys. Inside, you can also find a football memorabilia store.
In addition, if you’re after vintage clothing then Jimmy Mack is a great location and he’s considered the “mod father” of vintage. This market is the perfect spot for a rainy day as it’s all covered. It also has a unique vibe which makes spending time more enjoyable.
8. Bermondsey Square Antiques Market
This antiques market has a range of products including china, silver, and glassware. If you go early you’re more likely to find a good deal or a rare item in the jewelry section, even an antique painting, or an antique map. Since the market opens at 6am, many avid bargain hunters have been known to show up at that time and start waiting for the market to open.
Although most people prefer to shop at more modern locations, walking into this market that was founded in 1855, can create the impression that you’ve found yourself in the setting of a 19th century novel.
Brick Lane Market is really a conglomerate of five markets in one. Among several options of markets in the East End, the most popular would definitely be the Sunday UpMarket with over 140 stalls located in the Old Truman Brewery.
An eclectic mix of customers from art students, locals, hipsters, and other types of people going through the vintage stalls and also searching for crafts made by trendy designers or perhaps a collection of old records is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Unique finds at the market include succulents and multicultural food. Your friends will be impressed by the unique creations by new designers that you might find. Don’t hesitate to visit and search for interesting options.
This historical market that had approximately 200 stalls in the 1930s which were open five days a week struggled after the war and finally fell by the wayside in 1990. It was rekindled by locals and traders and nearly restored to its former glory. The market is home to about 40 stalls selling anything from ethically sourced clothing from India, natural knitting wool, vintage accessories, original work by local designers, and gourmet food including cakes, preserves, and more.
Also, some international food is available so check out Hanoi Kitchen if you have time. The market is frequented by a whole host of different types of people including hipsters. Set aside a special Sunday to visit Chatsworth between the hours of 11am to 4pm.
11. Greenwich Market
This market is open every day from 10am to 5:30pm. The building itself is historic and located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The range of products includes jewelry, photos, embroidery, arts and crats, and a few food options. On every day except for Monday, antiques traders and collectables dealers join the market to offer a selection of vintage jewelry, clothing, old books, ceramics, lamps and more.
This market offers a unique event one time per month on the last Friday called the Moonlight Market staying open until 11pm and offering live music with a bar serving drinks.
12. Jubilee Market
This is a pleasant covered market next to Covent Garden’s Piazza. Specifically on Monday they devote the whole day from 5am to 5pm to antiques and collectables. It’s possible to find a wide range of items including knick-knacks, porcelain plates, coins, and art deco figurines. Also, it’s a treat to visit the local steel and silver cutlery metal worker at John the Hat.
Try to go there early so you have the option to find the best items early in the day as you might have to search through lots of items.
13. Portobello Road Market
Portobello Market is open every day to provide shoppers opportunities to buy antiques and collectibles. You might have already heard about this market while watching Antiques Roadshow. A combination of several types of markets combined into one with over 1,000 stalls it boasts the title of the world’s largest antiques market. It starts with antiques at the Notting Hill side, then food stalls, and finally on the way to the Westway and Ladbroke Grove you can find the up-and-coming designers and a quality selection of vintage clothes.
During the week from Monday to Thursday is dedicated to fruits and vegetables, some clothing, and miscellaneous items. Friday and Saturday the whole market is open for shoppers while on Sunday it’s completely closed.
14. North London Vintage Market
Although this market is relatively small it has a great selection of home goods and great ambiance. You can find interesting items such as a tea set from the 1930s, coat hooks circa 1950, and curtains with unusual designs from the 1960s. Besides the options for your home, one can also find vintage clothing along with accessories like brooches and petticoats and purses. The market is held on the first weekend of every month.
15. Alfies Antique Market
Located in a beautiful art deco building, this market draws a host of collectors, celebrities, and thrifty shoppers. It’s been open for more than 40 years and its sellers make sure that everything is presented carefully with relatively reasonable prices. Since the sellers have already gone through a range of goods, the amount of work that you would have to do as a shopper is reduced. Your chances are very high if you want to find some hidden treasures.
16. Vinegar Yard
The best part of the Vinegar Yard is their weekend flea market called “Flea”. It opens on Saturday and Sunday at 11am giving those who want a chance to sleep in a bit more time on the weekend. The majority of the items are vintage, but a few young designers are also featured through their modern creations.
The market is organized well so you don’t have to search through piles of things to find what you’re looking for.
17. Camden Passage
Fashionable Londoners frequent this market in its charming outdoor environment. Running four days per week (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday), the stalls are along the pedestrian street featuring vintage clothing and trendy housewares. Some stalls offer miscellaneous knick-knacks, accessories, and jewelry. However, you can definitely find most things that you’re looking for.
18. Netil Market
Netil Market has a variety of activities going on including live music and delicious food options. Their stalls provide the option to purchase unique products. As one of the hippest Saturday flea markets, independent creators are encouraged to present their wares leading to some amazing designs. The food stalls include unique options like “Death by Pizza”. To accompany your food, there’s also the option to buy drinks and make your shopping go smoother.
19. Battersea Boot
Started way back in 1999, this is a unique market in the sense that it’s comprised of items sold out of the back of peoples’ cars. It does require searching for items that you might like and on top of that bargaining for a good price. High quality items including furniture are definitely available.
20. Capital Car Boot
The major advantage of this boot sale is that it’s partially located indoors in case the weather isn’t great. Fancy vintage clothing and other great items are available at this venue. It’s only held for a few hours on Sundays from 11:30am-2:30am.