Many Markets

London is famous for all of its markets, probably the most famous of which is Portobello Road, so thats where I'll start!

Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is one of the most popular markets in London and definitely a busy place to visit. Open on Saturdays and Sundays, the 4 blocks of Portobello Rd. that make up the market are always packed full of both locals and tourists. This is an especially great market if you're interested in finding silver, antiques or teacups! From here you can also see the Travel Bookshop, from Notting Hill and Hugh Grant's door.

Brick Lane Market at Shoreditch in East London is by far my favorite market. East London is a unique melting pot of cultures. The north end of Brick Lane is filled with lots of charity shops (aka thrift stores) and vintage shops, and the south end of the street is all curry restaurants. The market has a lot of antiques, music, and cheap trinkets and sunglasses. But my favorite part is the twenty-somethings that line the middle of the market selling their old clothes or things that they've collected. I got really awesome green heels from a girl moving to Australia for just £5 and a cream leather wallet from the late 60s/early 70s from a girl who collects 60s and 70s wallets. My friend Colleen also got a really great Louis Vuitton bag in one of the charity shops here too. Brick Lane is also filled with a very neat collection of people-you get a lot of asymmetrical haircuts and androgynously dressed people. This place definitely worth stopping by on a Sunday morning!

Camden Market is located in Camden Town which is a very cool neighborhood (mentioned in one of my first blog entries for the nightlife). Camden was the most liberal area of London during the 60s and where the Beatles and such used to hang out (Abbey Road is located just north of the neighborhood). Today it is very much a hipster area. You'll find lots of kebab stands in this area, as well as some very unique clothing stores (some weird goth ones too...). The daily market is relatively small and all of the vendors sell a lot of the same things. But this is a good place to pick up inexpensive band tee-shirts and trinkets and a fun neighborhood to visit. Make sure you don't confuse this market with it's much more posh neighbor Camden Passage Market, located just off the Angel Tube Station. The goods at Camden Passage are similar to those at Portabello Rd., but in an easier to navigate fashion.

I feel like the most appropriate word to describe Greenwich Market is "cute." Lot's of hand made artistic trinkety things.

(**picture to come!)

Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm on Columbia Road just north of Brick Lane you will find the most picturesque market in London. At the Columbia Road Flower Market can find just about any type of flower you desire, with bundles of beautiful sunflowers starting at just £3 and dozens of roses for just £5. I went here with my mom and she said that if we had a market like this near us, she'd go every week. Even if you are only here for a short while and are not interested in purchasing flowers, I'd highly recommend checking out the flower market if not because its so pretty, then for the adorable boutiques and vintage shops that line the road.