The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Portobello Market London in 2024
London is a place that isn’t only popular with monuments and views, it also has fantastic markets. One of them is the market on Portobello Road. The Portobello market has a rich history that you can trace back to the 19th century. It is very famous among Londoners.
The market stretches over two miles throughout London’s West End and has open-air antique shops where you can get collectibles. As the largest market for antiques in the world, with over 1,500 dealers selling everything from vintage clothes to jewelry and artwork, it’s a must-visit. To fully experience London’s charm, consider staying at any long-stay service apartment in Hyde Park, offering both comfort and convenience.
History Of Portobello Market
Portobello market was originally like any other regular market in London that dealt in food and vegetables. However, in the 1940s, more antique dealers started appearing in the market. Eventually, the Portobello antique market became what it is today: London’s most excellent antique market. Many young influencers and celebrities have been venturing to the Portobello market to shop for fashionable items. As a result, many stalls now sell fashionable vintage clothing that people can’t find anywhere else in the capital city of London. The market is more than just shopping. Travelers and tourists can also visit and take beautiful photos of the colorful architecture, visit shops to check out various antique works, and simply sit at a vendor and enjoy snacks or drinks while listening to street artists perform.You can also read: 10 Tips for Planning a London Literary Tour for Your Kids
The Highlights Of The Market
You can visit many popular spots in the Portobello market. The Elgin Crescent, for example, is one of the market’s main attractions. The market is located near Notting Hill tube station and is a half-mile packed with antique and vintage stalls. The Portobello market has its specialties for each day of the week. What you will find in the stalls when you visit depends on the day of the week you go.- Saturdays have the most activity, which is natural since it’s the weekend—several tourists and street performers fill the market. Many stalls are generally open, where tourists can buy collectibles and vintage clothing.
- Fridays are usually the second busiest day in the market. The northern and southern ends usually contain varieties of vintage clothes and accessories. On this day, Golborne Road focuses more on furniture and food items.
- Mondays to Wednesdays tend to be more fruit and vegetable sales days. If you are looking for household goods, these are the best days to visit the Portobello market. A few vintage stores are also usually open on these days.
Tips For Visiting Portobello Market
- If you want to avoid meeting a crowd when you visit the market, arriving before 11:30 am on Saturdays is best. Also, if you get there early, you can pick the best unique items.
- The market is divided into sections by wares, so if you don’t know where to find what you want, just walk a bit further.
- Remember to haggle the price with the storekeeper. Negotiation is normal in the Portobello market.
