Antique markets in London have a long and rich history, spanning centuries. They’re places where communities thrive, traders have their own language and money is exchanged with a handshake. They bustle with energy and opportunity. You can land a genuine bargain and find one-off gifts to treasure for a lifetime. Whether you’re looking to strike gold or simply browse and soak up the atmosphere, this is our guide to London’s best flea markets and antiques fairs.
Grays Antique Market
Over 200 specialist art and antique traders come to the heart of Mayfair with a vast selection of antiquities and an unrivalled expertise. In a handsome Edwardian building, Grays Antique Market is an attractive covered market that’s become a go-to place for London’s fashion set. Feast your eyes on fine art prints and paintings, try on sparkling vintage jewellery and pick out attractive glass and ceramic pieces for your home. There are clocks, toys, wrist watches and many more one-off objets d’art to tempt you.
Address: Grays Antique Market, 58 Davies Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 5JF
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm
Bermondsey Antique Market
The Friday Bermondsey Market has a global reputation in the antiques world. Over 500 traders make deals on china, silverware, jewellery and other vintage pieces dating back to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Bermondsey Antique Market stalls in the centre specialise in smaller antiques, while the surrounding warehouses have a more eclectic range of goods, from large architectural objects to Victorian taxidermy. This is very much a traditional antiques market where the traders start early, and you can expect to haggle hard. But you may just leave with a unique object worth passing down to future generations.
Address: 11 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN
Opening times: 7am to 2pm every Friday
Portobello Road Market
Trading since the 19th century, Portobello Road Market is one of London’s oldest. Among the colourful terraced houses of Notting Hill, this market is known for its antique books, jewellery and clothing. In the 1940s, this pretty outdoor antiques market established itself as a bric-à-brac specialist, but today, it’s so much more than that.
From Monday to Thursday, there’s a smaller daily market here, so Fridays are typically the best day to find top antique dealers plying their trade. The market is teeming with locals and tourists, particularly on Saturdays, but that just adds to the lively atmosphere.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the market stretches a mile and a half with stallholders selling everything from fresh fruit to designer fashion. And there are street food stalls with delicious fare and music from buskers and street performers to provide the entertainment.
Address: The antiques stalls are between Portobello Road and Kensington Park Road, London W11
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 6pm. Market trading hours are shorter in winter.
Alfie’s Antique Market
Opened in 1976 in a former art déco department store, Alfie’s Antique Market has become a hotspot for chic antiques, vintage fashion and high-end design pieces. Over four floors, 75-plus independent, specialist dealers trade in collectibles and fine arts. Browse through stalls displaying vintage toys, 60’s lamps, 1920’s flapper dresses, silverware, paintings and 20th-century homeware. It’s a place many London interior designers come to source unique pieces of furniture and statement pieces. There’s a lovely rooftop café here too with a great selection of fresh food for when you fancy a break.
Address: 3-25 Church Street, London NW8 8DT
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm
Greenwich Market
Granted a Royal Charter in 1700, today Greenwich Market is a vibrant covered market, presenting a unique and exciting shopping experience. Wander the cobblestone streets to browse the hundreds of market stalls, food stands and boutique shops. Antiques and collectible dealers set up their stalls on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, selling unique pieces of pottery, silverware and jewellery at the Antiques and Collectables Market. Talented chefs cook up treats in the food court while you rummage through vintage fashion items, haggle for handmade toys and find a treasure trove of treats, both collectible and edible.
This well-established vintage market in London is part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, which includes nearby Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory. So, you could always combine your antiques market visit with a trip to neighbouring attractions.
Address: Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ
Opening times: 7 days a week from 10am to 5.30pm. Visit on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for antiques and collectibles.
Brick Lane Vintage Market
Find vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind accessories at Brick Lane Vintage Market in London’s East End. Just off Shoreditch High Street in the basement of the Truman Brewery, this is London’s biggest vintage clothing market, selling original clothing from the 1920s to the 1990s. There are plenty of upcycled glad rags, pre-loved handbags and antique costume jewellery here. This place is particularly bustling on a Sunday when other markets open alongside the vintage market, selling art and design pieces, street food and eco-friendly gifts.
Address: The Truman Brewery, 85 Brick Lane, E1 6QR
Opening Times: Friday and Saturday 11am to 6pm. Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Hackney Flea Market
This isn’t a place for top-end antiques, but if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind objects, architectural salvage and unusual artworks, this is for you. Hackney Flea Market began life as a pop-up event in 2013 and has established itself as one of the best flea markets for creative designers to market their wares. The flea market began in Church Street, Stoke Newington, but has since expanded its events and locations around Hackney and Peckham.
Regular events along with the Hackney Flea Market include the Peckham Record Fair, the Big London Flea, Walthamstow Flea Market and Peckham Salvage Yard. This trend-setting flea market holds events on Saturdays and Sundays all year. Chat to artists and discover a diverse collection of flea market goodies you won’t find anywhere else.
Address: Various locations. Check the Hackney Flea Market calendar for upcoming events.
Opening Times: 11am to 5pm on Saturdays or Sundays
Camden Passage
Head to Islington’s pretty pedestrianised Camden Passage, a leading antiques destination. Camden Passage comprises three markets – Pierrepont Arcade Market, Camden Passage Market and Charlton Place Market. The markets nestle in a bustling neighbourhood of independent boutique shops, delicatessens and cool neighbourhood cafés, making it a wonderful place to find stylish homeware and vintage fashion bargains. Relish the rummage, as you check out the antique market stalls brimming with affordable collectibles, costume jewellery and vintage vinyl.
Address: 1 Camden Passage, London, N1 8EA
Opening times: For antiques, visit Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am. Vintage fashion is Thursday from 9am, and there’s a book market most Sundays from 8:30am.
Flea London at Vinegar Yard
Small and tucked behind London Bridge, this weekend flea market is one of London’s hidden gems. If you love a treasure hunt but you’re on a budget, Flea London is the place to find something unique at a lower price than many other antique markets in London. It’s also less busy than many markets, so you can browse stalls and chat to the artists and traders without feeling rushed. There are plenty of handmade crafts and eco-friendly gifts alongside vintage typewriters and African silk scarfs. It’s also a great place for a drink and a bite to eat where you can sit and enjoy music coming from the alfresco bar in the centre.
Address: Vinegar Yard, St Thomas Street, London SE1 3QU
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm
Chatsworth Road Market
Spend a Sunday perusing this cute local market in Hackney. Chatsworth Road Market is known for its specialist food stalls, from gourmet sushi burgers and Greek wraps to vegan cakes and sugar cane drinks. Let your nose lead your exploration of tempting foodie treats. Among the food stalls, there are cool vintage clothing and accessories, handmade toys and original artworks. The surrounding antique emporiums, vintage shops and cafés will also keep you busy browsing. This local flea market continues to grow in popularity since it began operating on Sundays in 2011. But it remains a community hub and is one of London’s best flea markets.
Address: 92-78 Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton, London E5 0LS
Opening times: 11am to 4pm every Sunday
After a busy market day, make yourself at home in The Clermont, Victoria or The Clermont, Charing Cross. Our hotels in the centre of London put you close to many of the markets we’ve recommended and offer the perfect end to shopping in London’s best flea, vintage and antique markets. Want more alternative shopping options? Read our guide to shopping in Camden.