Markets

Billingsgate Fish Market

Billingsgate Market in the East End of London is the biggest inland fish market in Britain. Every year 25,000 tonnes of fish pass through its gates to supply shops, restaurants and the public with the freshest seafood. Visit Billingsgate to see the barking traders, some real cockney characters and heaps of tasty fish.

Borough Market

Endorsed by many a celebrity chef, Borough Market offers a wonderful mix of excellent foods including fruit, veg, meat, fish, beer, cider and wine. The market is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  There are always samples on offer and the area has some great pubs to unwind in after a hard day's shopping.

Camden Market

There are several different areas to Camden Market, and you can pick up anything from cheap fashion items to original designs from boutiques. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, this is the place to come. Open daily.

Columbia Road Flower Market

The most colourful market in London sets the East End ablaze with a riot of beautiful blooms. Buy house plants, fragrant cut flowers and bedding plants or simply go along for the buzz. Pop into a multitude of crafty shops, sip on a coffee and watch the world go by. The Columbia Road Flower Market takes place every Sunday morning and is a short walk from Liverpool Street station.

Greenwich Market

Not one but three covered markets to explore: Thursday, antiques; Friday, a mixture including vintage clothing; weekends, arts and crafts. Greenwich Market has been trading since 1700 and is still one of the most popular places to visit on the weekends.

Oxford Covered Market

As with many a market, the smells are part of the atmosphere. It may be the aroma of fresh ground coffee that draws you into this wonderful historic market, but it could be the attractive displays of flowers and fruit that prompt you to look for the unexpected or special gift.

Portobello Road Market

Credit: Bernt Rostad

Made famous by the movie Notting Hill, this colourful and seemingly endless market morphs from real antiques to fruit and veg, great clothes, jewellery and household items. Saturday is the market day, but plenty to enjoy all week.

Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields indoor market in the thriving East End of London and it is surround by great retro shops.  The market sells anything from cushions, craft jewellery and other handmade products. The weekly fashion market (Fridays) is an opportunity for you to buy directly from London’s creative young designers.

The Barras (Glasgow)

You should certainly find something you want as you rummage around in Glasgow's Barrowland. Affectionately known as The Barras, it has expanded from its humble beginnings at the turn of the century to include 100s of stalls and shops selling everything and anything.

Victorian Market (Cardiff)

This bustling and vibrant indoor market set in the heart of Cardiff is a paradise for collectors of specialist records and books, and just the place to find unusual gifts and souvenirs. As you would expect, the market also sells a huge range of fresh Welsh foods, including meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and dairy produce.