Best Sunday Markets in London: Columbia Road, Spitalfields, and Other Must-Visit Spots
Discover London's best Sunday markets-Columbia Road, Spitalfields, and more-where local food, handmade goods, and vibrant street culture come alive every weekend.
When you think of Sunday markets London, open-air gatherings where locals buy fresh food, handmade crafts, and unique finds every weekend. Also known as London street markets, these spots are where the city’s real rhythm shows up—not in tourist traps, but in the smell of hot coffee, the clatter of ceramic plates, and the chatter of vendors who’ve been setting up the same stall for 20 years. These aren’t just places to shop. They’re where you taste what London eats, see what it makes, and feel what it’s like to live here.
Most Sunday markets in London focus on three things: food, fresh, local, and often organic produce, baked goods, and global street eats, artisan goods, handmade jewelry, ceramics, prints, and vintage clothing from independent makers, and local vendors, the people who grow, bake, sew, or build what’s on sale—often living just a few miles away. You won’t find mass-produced souvenirs here. Instead, you’ll find sourdough from a bakery in Peckham, hand-painted mugs from a studio in Hackney, or vegan donuts that taste like they were made for you and only you.
Some markets, like Borough Market, are famous for their food stalls and draw crowds from all over. Others, like Columbia Road Flower Market, are quieter but just as alive with color and character. Then there are the hidden ones—like the one in Hackney Downs where you can buy fresh pasta from a nonna who moved here from Sicily, or the Sunday market near Clapham Common where you’ll find second-hand vinyl and homemade jam. Each one has its own rhythm. Some start at 8 a.m. and are packed by 10. Others don’t really wake up until noon. Some are all about food. Others are all about art. But they all share the same energy: real, unfiltered, and full of people who care about what they’re selling.
You don’t need a plan to enjoy these markets. Just show up hungry, wear comfy shoes, and bring cash. Many stalls still prefer it. Look for the queues—not the biggest ones, but the ones where people are smiling and handing over plates of food. That’s where the best stuff is. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find a stallholder who’ll tell you where they get their herbs, why their cheese is aged just right, or which day of the week they restock. That’s the real value of a Sunday market in London. It’s not just what you buy. It’s who you meet, what you learn, and how the city feels when it’s not trying to impress anyone.
Below, you’ll find hand-picked posts that show you exactly where to go, what to eat, and how to make the most of every Sunday in London. Whether you’re after the crispiest roast potatoes, the most colorful flowers, or a handmade bag that won’t fall apart after two weeks—this is where you’ll find it.
Discover London's best Sunday markets-Columbia Road, Spitalfields, and more-where local food, handmade goods, and vibrant street culture come alive every weekend.