A few blocks south of the Columbia Road Flower Markets are more markets located on Brick Lane. At the famous Brick Lane Markets you can find almost anything from old cameras, arts and crafts, organic food, French patisseries, antique books, vintage everything and bric-a-brac from all over.
North side of Brick Lane Markets
At the north end of Brick Lane you will find a lot of cheaper stuff; stalls of bicycle parts, loo paper and the odd bootlegger selling DVDs that look as dodgy as their seller. Be aware of the dodgy area where you will often find the stolen bike or what is left of it. You will know it if you see it.
While you are at this end of Brick Lane also look out for what is apparently “London’s best bagels” at the Jewish Brick Lane Beigel Bakery. Towards lunch time there is usually a queue down the street. But remember not to fill up on bagels, there is much much more to experience! To go to Brick Lane you really need a whole day, a pocket full of change and a large appetite for the most incredible international cuisine.
Truman Market
A little further south along Brick Lane you will find an area south of Buxton St and between Grey Eagle St and Spital St that makes up the Truman Market. The Truman Markets comprise of several different markets that now include the Boiler House Food Hall, the Tea Rooms, the Backyard Market, the Sunday UpMarket and the Vintage Market all located in the Old Truman Brewery. All of the markets are open on Sundays and some of the markets are also open Friday and Saturday.
South end of Brick Lane
At the south end of Brick Lane in East London, you can find the heart of the city’s Bangladeshi-Sylheti community and is known to some as Banglatown. You can usually get a cheap curry and free bottle of wine from the many completing curry houses that line the bustling street. Don’t be afraid to shop around and haggle for a bargain. Especially after a day of exploring the potentially wallet damaging markets!
How to get to Brick Lane markets:
Brick Lane is located in the east of London, just east of Liverpool Street Station (Zone 2).
Tube – The closest tube station is Liverpool Street Station (Metropolitan Line, Circle Line, Hammersmith & City line and Central line) is a 10-15 minute walk away and Old Street (Northern line) is a 20 minute walk away. Whitechapel (District Line and Hammersmith & City line) is a 10-15 minute walk away.
Overground – Shoreditch High Street overground station is a 5-10 minute walk and the closest overground station on the New Cross Highbury/Islington overground line.
Cycle – There are many Barclays Cycle Hire Docks in East London (see map below). There are several cycle routes nearby and also several locations to park your own bike.
Bus –15, 8, 388, 46, 67, 78, 26, 35, 47, 149, 242 and 135 are the buses that pass close to the markets. Please see the Transport for London website for further information.
Car – parking is very limited but you can find some parking at the Truman Brewery on Hanbury Street and Brick Lane or the local council parking at Whites Row Car Park. You can find more street parking around Columbia Street Flower Market.
Links:
Brick Lane – http://www.visitbricklane.org
Brick Lane Market – http://www.bricklanemarket.com/
Transport for London – http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Barclays Cycle Hire: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15150.aspx
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