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.

About Old Spitalfields Market

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.