Shopping in London

   London has a lot to offer the shopper from large department stores to exclusive boutiques. There are many areas to go on shopping trips, such as Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Knightsbridge. And, of course, London has many street markets to browse around.

  Camden Markets

   Camden is world famous for its markets which attract more than 100,000 visitors every weekend making it one of London's top attractions.

Camden is the place to shop for funky clothes and original gifts from independent designers. Camden High Street is lined with shops including plenty of shoe stores.

Camden is a cool place to hang out so expect it to be busy all weekend. There is a good nightlife scene in Camden so pick up leaflets near Camden Town tube station to find out what's on. Camden is popular with Londoners and visitors.

Camden market is now not only a weekend event, although Sunday is still the busiest, and best, day. If you're not in town at the weekend, do visit Camden on a weekday and you'll avoid the crowds but do note not all stalls are open. The main shops are open seven days a week though so there's always plenty to see and buy.  

Camden Lock Market

Six Markets Create Camden Market

The main road all the markets come off is Camden High Street. Camden High Street (north from Camden Tube station) is lined with shops, pubs, markets, and restaurants. Under the railway bridge, you'll find more of the same along Chalk Farm Road, which leads to Chalk Farm tube station.

Camden Market is actually divided up into smaller markets, each with a different style. Starting from Camden Town tube station…

Portobello Road Market

Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is one of the most famous street markets in the world. The Saturday antiques market is the most popular but there is a street market six days a week. Portobello Road itself is a long, narrow street which stretches over two miles.

Portobello Road is lined with well-established shops and is not the average 'High Street' as most are independent stores. There has been a market on this street since around 1870. As well as the antique stalls there are a whole host of arcades, galleries, shops and cafes.

The area is also famous for being the setting for the film, Notting Hill. 

Portobello Road Markets

1. Antiques Market 
At the top of Portobello Road, nearest to Notting Hill tube station, is the antiques market. Walk down past the wonderful Mews houses till you reach where Chepstow Villas crosses Portobello Road. This is the start of the antiques section. It carries on down Portobello Road for about half a mile to Elgin Crescent. This may not seem far but it can take ages to walk with the Saturday crowds. And with hundreds of market stalls, shops and arcades to see you could spend a fair few hours here alone. There are also cafes and restaurants so do stop and enjoy your day. Expect to see a variety of antiques and collectables from all around the world and dating from Roman times to the 1960s. 

Greenwich Market is one of London's best sources for arts and crafts, unique gifts, and rare antiques and collectables.

Greenwich Market History

There has long been a strong royal connection to Greenwich, going back to the old Royal Palace of Placentia, which was the monarch's main palace from about 1450 to the middle of the 15th century to about 1700. Greenwich is the birthplace of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary I.

There is also a strong shopping connection, with a Royal Charter Market being originally assigned to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital in 1700 for 1,000 years.

In the main shopping area around the high road, there are lots of places to eat – many good for children – and lots of cute little shops – most not so good for children. 

People browsing stalls at Greenwich Market.