Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market dates back to 1638 when King Charles gave a license for "flesh, fowl, and roots" to be sold in what was then known as Spittle Fields. This is now a seriously cool place to shop. The market is surrounded by independent shops selling hand-made craft, fashion, and gifts. The market is busiest on Sundays, but is there Monday to Friday too. Shops open 7 days a week.

Old Spitalfields Market is a covered market so you won't get wet when it rains, but it's not in a hall – the sides are open to the elements - so wrap up warm in the winter.

The market stalls sell everything from the curious and intriguing to, let's face it, "junk". Old Spitalfields Market is a good place to spend a few hours browsing. If you're looking for jewelry, the variety is endless. There are also clothes stalls where you're bound to find something different, trendy, funky, retro (genuine), etc. You can buy fresh bread and cakes, pies and pasties, organic vegetables, and meat to take home, or you can eat at one of the many restaurants and cafeterias which serve food from all over the world - Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian, to name but a few. These are generally reasonably priced and well patronized by city workers, so you may find you have to queue at lunchtime.

As well as shopping and dining, look out for the Charnel House which is of historic interest.

Address:
Old Spitalfields Market
(Commercial Street)
London
E1 6AA

Nearest Tube Station:
Liverpool Street

Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

Visit Spitalfields Website: How To Get to Old Spitalfields Market.

Old Spitalfields Market Opening Hours

Market Stalls:
Monday to Wednesdays: General market 10am-5.30pm
Thursdays (Antiques & Retro): 8am-5pm
Fridays (Fashion & Design): 9.30am-5pm
- Record Fair 1st & 3rd Friday of the month
Saturday: General market including themed market days 11am-5pm
Sundays (General Market): 9.30am-5pm

Restaurants:
Restaurants are open seven days a week.
Monday to Friday: 11am - 11pm
Weekend: 9am - 5pm

Shops:
Shops are open seven days a week.
Times vary but in general Monday to Sunday: 11am - 7pm

Market Week

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: Shop and Market Traders
• Thursday: Thursday: Antiques and Vintage Flea Market
• Friday: Friday: Fashion and Design Market
• Saturday: Themed Market Days (see official website for more details)
• Sunday: Busiest day - all shops and general market stalls

Nearby Budget Hotel: Tune Liverpool Street

Recommended Local Dining

• The bohemian Water Poet.
• Read the Leon (Spitalfields) Review.

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane Market is a traditional Sunday morning flea-market with a wide array of goods on sale including vintage clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, music, and so much more.

See: Brick Lane Market Guide.

Sunday UpMarket

Sunday UpMarket is in the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane and sells fashion, accessories, crafts, interiors, and music. Opened in 2004, it has an excellent food area and is a hip place to hang out.
Sundays only: 10am - 5pm

Petticoat Lane Market

Petticoat Lane was established over 400 years ago by the French Huguenots who sold petticoats and lace here. The prudish Victorians changed the name of the Lane and market to avoid referring to woman's underclothes!

See: Petticoat Lane Guide.

Columbia Road Flower Market

Every Sunday, 8am-2pm, along this narrow cobbled street, you can find over 50 market stalls and 30 shops selling flowers, and gardening supplies. It's a truly colorful experience.

See: Columbia Road Flower Market Guide.

Useful Resources

Old Spitalfields Markets Photos.

Official Old Spitalfields Market Website.

Visit Spitalfields Website.