Markets in Tower Hamlets
No other London borough has such a choice of vibrant, diverse and contrasting street markets. Each one is an open space event that gives you a genuine taste and flavour of east London.
Columbia Road market is for flowers and plants but the other 8 offer a full range of items for sale.
Come and explore each individual market:
Brick Lane Market (Sundays)
Expect plenty of fashion, food and art. Brick Lane is in the heart of the ‘proper’ East End. This historic street is a famous focal point for the Bangladeshi community. And in the past it’s been a home to French Huguenot and Jewish immigrants.
Established in 1888, you’ll find everything from bustling flea-markets, authentic ethnic street food and household goods here. There are also jewellery stalls and retro fashion boutiques for you to browse through.
Location
Brick Lane, E1
Opening times
Sundays, 10am to 3pm
Closest stations
Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City and District lines); Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Overground and TFL Rail lines); Shoreditch High Street (London Overground line).
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (56 spaces)
Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays)
Sundays in the East End come alive in a blaze of colour and fragrance. Columbia Road market brings together the best of home grown and imported flowers and plants. (It’s also a just a short walk from Brick Lane if you feel like doing two markets in one day.)
Hiding away behind the blooms are 60 independent shops, several art galleries as well as antique sellers. There are also cafes and pubs for you to stop in and watch the world go by.
Location
Columbia Road, E2
Opening times
Sundays, 8am to 2pm
Closest stations
Bethnal Green (Central, London Overground); Cambridge Heath (London Overground) Hoxton (London Overground); Shoreditch High Street (London Overground).
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (33 spaces)
Petticoat Lane Market (Sunday)
This iconic market has a rich history in textiles. This began in the 1750’s when the Huguenots fled from persecution in France and settled in the East End. Eastern European Jews (likewise fleeing oppression) took the tradition on in the late 18th and early 20th centuries.
A little confusingly, Petticoat Lane itself does not exist anymore. The Victorians felt the reference to undergarments was too racy and changed the name to Middlesex Street. That’s where the main part of the market can be found along with stalls on surrounding streets.
Behind the fashion, textile and leather goods stalls you can also discover Asian and African fabric shops.
Location
Middlesex Street, E1*
*Petticoat Lane market consists of Middlesex Street, Cobb Street, Leyden Street, New Goulston Street, Old Castle Street, Strype Street, Toynbee Street, Goulston Street and Wentworth Street
Opening times
Sundays, 9am to 3pm
Closest stations
Aldgate (Metropolitan, Circle); Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City, District); Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Overground, TFL Rail).
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (32 spaces)
Petticoat Lane Street Food (Mondays to Fridays)
There are excellent and very reasonably priced street food sellers (including healthy options).
You can find them in an area at these junctions: Goulston Street, Wentworth Street and Bell Lane.
There are also some great fashion bargains and other goods available throughout the week along Wentworth Street .
Location
Wentworth Street E1
Opening times
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Closest stations
Aldgate (Metropolitan, Circle); Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City and District); Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Overground, TFL Rail)
Whitechapel Market (Monday to Saturday)
This historic market runs along Whitechapel Road. Crossrail will see the area become a major interchange and transportation hub. And the borough’s new Town Hall and civic centre will be in the redeveloped Royal London Hospital. This will boost the market’s high footfall even more.
There is an array on offer from the bustling stalls here. You’ll find fresh fruit, exotic vegetables, spices, fashion, cultural wear and jewellery.
Location
Whitechapel Road, E1
Opening times
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Closest stations
Aldgate (Metropolitan, Circle); Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City, District); Bethnal Green Rail (London Overground); Whitechapel (District, Hammersmith & City, London Overground)
Chrisp Street Market (Monday to Saturday)
Set in a pedestrianised square, Chrisp Street market dates back to Victorian times. At the heart of the local community in Poplar, it maintains a strong sense of identity and has a real east London feel.
You’ll find a renowned selection of fruit and vegetable stalls. Added to that, you can shop for clothing, linens and household essentials. There are also cafes and eateries including pie and mash shops that serve traditional London dishes.
Location
Chrisp Street, E14
Opening times
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Closest stations
All Saints (DLR); Langdon Park (DLR)
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (11 spaces)
Roman Road Market (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
‘The Roman’, as it’s known, is a road on the oldest known trade route in England. And it’s an old-style market that with a full range of items on offer. You can browse clothing stalls, household items, toys, makeup and jewellery.
There is also a court area on St Stephen’s Road serving fresh bread, pastries and hot food options. On the third Saturday of the month there is a retro-feel extension to the market too.
Location
Roman Road, E3
Opening times
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Closest stations
Bow Church (DLR); Bow Road (District, Hammersmith & City); Mile End (Central, District, Hammersmith & City)
Parking for saturday only
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (22 spaces)
Roman Road Square Market (Monday to Saturday)
This is also known as Globe Town market. The area was established in 1800 to provide for the growing number of silk weavers living in Bethnal Green. The compact diamond space that hosts the market remains busy and popular
Some of these stalls have been in traders’ families for generations. And the fruit & veg and fish sellers are a strong attraction for local residents. Its long-established culture of home-cooking also makes it a great place to stop in for something to eat.
Location
Roman Road Square, E2 0RN
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Closest stations
Bethnal Green (Central); Stepney Green (District, Hammersmith & City); Mile End (Central, District)
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (16 spaces)
Watney Market (Monday to Saturday)
Found in between Whitechapel and Shadwell, this market gives you a glimpse of the borough’s diverse range of residents. It’s very community-focussed and offers a heady mix of gadgetry, fruit, veg, fashion, cultural wear and household goods.
Prices are very reasonable and it draws eagle-eyed bargain hunters from all over Tower Hamlets. There is also an Idea Store that gives you access to the council’s services and advice.
Location
Watney Street, E1
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6pm
Closest stations
Shadwell (DLR, London Overground); Whitechapel (District, Hammersmith & City, London Overground)
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (19 spaces)
Bethnal Green Market (Monday to Saturday)
Bethnal Green is perhaps better known for its on-going association with boxing, but it is also a major local shopping area and an important social meeting place for the community.
The market is just a stone's throw away from the internationally renowned York Hall, and within walking distance from the trendy Shoreditch, and sells a wide range of items from clothes to fruit and vegetables.
Location
Bethnal Green Road, E2
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Closest stations
Bethnal Green (Central); Shoreditch (London Overground) and Whitechapel (District, Hammersmith & City, London Overground).
Parking
One hour free parking spaces (specific bays identified by a sign plate) are available for shoppers on market days.
You must book your one hour free session using the RingGo app or calling the number on the sign plate (43 spaces)
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