A market-hopping day in North London — Camden, Columbia Road flowers, Broadway Market, Camden Passage antiques and the farmers' markets. Days, times and a route.
A North London Markets Day: Camden, Columbia Road and Beyond
North and east London hold some of the best markets in the city — flowers, antiques, vintage, street food and proper produce, each with its own character and crowd. The catch is that the best ones run on specific days, so a great markets day is really an exercise in timing: get the day of the week right and you can string three brilliant markets into one route; get it wrong and you'll find shuttered stalls. This guide gives you a tested route for each day of the weekend, plus the everyday options, with times, the best things to buy, and how to combine markets with green space for a full day.
At a glance: Sunday is the Columbia Road–Brick Lane–Spitalfields route (east London, walkable); Saturday pairs Broadway Market with Camden Passage antiques; Camden and Spitalfields run daily. Time your day around the market that's actually open, and go in the morning.
Before You Go: The Essentials
- Timing is everything: Columbia Road is Sunday only; Broadway Market is Saturday only; Camden Market and Old Spitalfields run daily; Camden Passage antiques stalls are Wednesday and Saturday; Chapel Market is Tuesday–Sunday.
- Go early: Every market is better, calmer and fresher in the morning. By Sunday afternoon Columbia Road is thinning out (good for bargains) and Camden is heaving.
- Bring some cash: Most stalls take cards now, but cash speeds the busy ones and helps with haggling — Columbia Road especially, where prices drop in the final hour.
- Watch your bag: The big markets are crowded; keep bags zipped and in front.
If It's a Sunday: The Columbia Road Route
The best Sunday markets cluster in east London, all walkable from each other.
Morning — Columbia Road Flower Market (9am–11:30am) The day's centrepiece. Columbia Road (Bethnal Green) transforms every Sunday into a loud, fragrant, joyous flower market — cut flowers, plants, bulbs and shrubs at trader prices, surrounded by independent shops (prints, homeware, vintage, ceramics). Arrive by 9–10am for the best selection, or come in the final hour (toward 2pm) for the famous end-of-day bargains as traders clear stock.
Late morning — Brick Lane (11:30am–1pm) Walk to Brick Lane for the sprawling Sunday market (vintage, street food, the Truman Brewery's indoor halls) and the essential pit stop: a salt-beef bagel from Beigel Bake, open 24 hours and an east London institution.
Afternoon — Old Spitalfields Market (1pm–3pm) Finish at Old Spitalfields Market — covered, daily, and strongest on Sundays for independent fashion designers, makers and street food. A calm, covered end to the day.
If It's a Saturday: The Broadway Market Route
Morning — Broadway Market (10am–12:30pm) Broadway Market (Hackney) is the best all-round food market in London — bakeries, cheese, charcuterie, seasonal produce, international street food and natural wine, along a single Victorian street. London Fields park runs alongside for a picnic with your purchases, and the Regent's Canal is at the top of the street.
Afternoon — Camden Passage antiques (1:30pm–3:30pm) Tube to Angel for Camden Passage — antiques and flea-market stalls (Saturday is a full market day), plus Islington's independent shops and Upper Street's restaurants. A complete change of register from Broadway's food to Islington's antiques.
Any Day: The Camden Route
Camden Market runs every day of the week — the Stables Market (vintage clothing, antiques, records), the Lock Market (crafts and design), and the canal-side street food (a global food court that's one of the best-value meals in London). Best browsed in the morning before the crowds build, especially at weekends. Pair it with a canal walk to Primrose Hill (for the skyline view) or to King's Cross (for Coal Drops Yard).
The Farmers' Markets (Weekend)
For producers and proper cooking ingredients rather than street food and browsing, North London's farmers' markets — Hampstead, Parliament Hill and Alexandra Palace (all weekends) — bring farm-direct meat, vegetables, cheese, bread and fish into the neighbourhoods. They're smaller and far calmer than the big tourist markets, and the best place to actually shop for a meal. The Parliament Hill market pairs naturally with a Hampstead Heath walk.
Markets at a Glance
| Market | Day(s) | Best for |
|---|
| Columbia Road | Sunday | Flowers and plants |
| Broadway Market | Saturday | Food (bakeries, cheese, street food) |
| Camden Market | Daily | Vintage, crafts, street food |
| Camden Passage | Wed & Sat | Antiques and vintage |
| Old Spitalfields | Daily (best Sun) | Independent design, street food |
| Brick Lane | Sunday | Vintage, street food, bagels |
| Chapel Market | Tue–Sun | Traditional fruit, veg, household |
| Farmers' markets (Hampstead etc.) | Weekend | Farm produce, cooking ingredients |
How to Make It a Full Day
- Combine with green space: London Fields (Broadway Market), the Regent's Canal (Camden), or a Heath picnic (Parliament Hill farmers' market) turns a morning market into a full day out.
- Graze as you go: The point of a markets day is breadth — eat small things across several stalls rather than one big sit-down meal.
- Buy flowers last: If you're doing Columbia Road, buy your flowers near the end so you're not carrying them all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best market in North London?
For food, Broadway Market (Hackney, Saturdays); for flowers, Columbia Road (Sundays); for antiques, Camden Passage (Islington); for everyday browsing and street food, Camden Market (daily).
What day is Columbia Road Flower Market?
Sundays only, roughly 8am–2pm. Arrive early (9–10am) for the best selection, or in the final hour for end-of-day bargains as traders clear stock.
Can you visit several London markets in one day?
Yes — cluster by day. Sunday links Columbia Road, Brick Lane and Spitalfields (all walkable in east London); Saturday pairs Broadway Market with Camden Passage; Camden Market runs any day.
What day is Broadway Market?
Saturdays only, roughly 9am–5pm — the best all-round food market in London, with London Fields park alongside.
Which North London markets are open every day?
Camden Market and Old Spitalfields Market run daily. Camden Passage antiques stalls are Wednesday and Saturday; Columbia Road is Sunday only; Broadway Market is Saturday only.
Where is the best street food at a North London market?
Camden Lock's canal-side stalls (daily) for a global food court, and Broadway Market (Saturday) for quality food traders. Both are among the best-value good meals in London.
Do I need cash for London markets?
Most stalls take cards now, but cash speeds the busy ones and helps with haggling — especially at Columbia Road, where end-of-day prices are negotiable.
What's the best market for cooking ingredients?
The weekend farmers' markets (Hampstead, Parliament Hill, Alexandra Palace) for farm-direct produce, and Broadway Market for bakeries, cheese and charcuterie.
