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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Borough Market

BOROUGH MARKET ULTIMATE GUIDE

clock Mon - Thurs: 10:00AM to 5:00PM

clock Fri: 10:00AM to 6:00PM

clock Sat: 8:00AM to 5:00PM

wait Time Needed: 4 hours

euro Price: Free

Covent Garden may have its trendy hipster fashion and Portobello Market may have its antique and vintage items, but if you want to sample as much international cuisine as humanly possible during your visit to London, then Borough Market is the place to be.

With a history stretching back well over 1,000 years, not to mention some of the most mouth-watering street food you won’t find anywhere else in the UK, the Borough Market can certainly give other London markets a run for their money – it is the oldest market in London, after all.

Although its exact starting date is difficult to determine, it is believed that Borough Market has been around since at least 1014. Being next to the London Bridge (which was the only route across the river into central London for hundreds of years), its location made the market easily accessible for locals who travelled from all over the city to shop around the many stalls.

Today, Borough Market has evolved into a sprawling street market which attracts over 4.5 million visitors each year, and consists of more than 100 different stalls selling everything from meat, fish, vegetables, olive oil and ciders to breads, coffees, cakes and so much more.

As soon as you enter the vicinity of the market, you will bombarded with all sorts of smells, sights and sounds that will ignite all the senses. With international cuisine from nearly every corner of the world (most of which has been imported from abroad), and street vendors selling everything from paella, duck wraps, and Thai coconut pancakes, a lot of visitors head to Borough Market just for the sole reason of sampling some of the many street food items. Not only that, Borough Market is also a popular destination amongst London locals doing their weekly grocery shopping, as here you can find fruits and produce, fresh fish and meat, and all sorts of different spices and cooking ingredients. If you still believe the old trope that British food is tasteless, you only need to join a free food tour in London or go for a stroll around the Borough Market to dispel that myth - in the most delicious way!

Borough Market Highlights

Borough Market has a unique layout with sprawls through a maze of narrow passageways, so you could easily get “lost” in the market and stroll around for hours, stumbling upon all sorts of delicious delights during your wanders.

Out of all the areas in the Borough Market, the Three Crown Square is the market’s largest trading area, and focuses specifically on fruit and veg, cheese, meat and fish. However, another must-see is the Market Hall (facing onto Borough High Street) which acts as a sort of “greenhouse” for growing plants, and is now used as a venue for foodie demonstrations, tastings and even workshops as well.

If you’re short on time, then try to stick to the stalls just south of Southwark Cathedral, which offer everything from artisan foods, mouth-watering chocolate, and food from Ethiopia, the Balkans, France, Cumbria and much more. Joining a free tour of the Borough Market with a guide is also a time saver.

There are also a handful of cafes located along Stoney Street, and if you want to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch, then try to stick to the stalls in Green Market (which is the area closest to the Southwark Cathedral).

Special Tips

If you want to avoid the crowds but still want to see the Borough Market in its entirety, try to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon, or as soon as it opens on a Saturday.

If you happen to be visiting London during the Christmas holidays, be sure to try some eggnog and mulled wine at the market as well.

If you feel like doing some sightseeing before or after your visit to the Borough Market, the Southwark Cathedral is only a two-minute walk away. You can also join a free walking tour around the area.

Make sure you visit the market on an empty stomach!

Getting There

getting there Address: Borough High St, London SE1 9AH, United Kingdom.

getting there By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest stations are London Bridge, Borough and Southwark.

getting there By Train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is London Bridge, which is about four minutes walk away.

getting there By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, Borough Market can be reached by routes 43, 141, 149 and 521.

getting there By Car: If you are travelling by car, Jubilee Place has limited short-term parking for customers only and costs £4 for a maximum stay of 2 hours. There are also other car parks nearby, such as Union Car Parks and Snowsfields NCP.

Visiting Borough Market

Recommended visiting time is around three to four hours, however, if you’re visiting on a weekend, you may find yourself strolling around the market’s many winding streets for up to five or even six hours.

Be aware that the Borough Market is a smoke-free zone, and no dogs are allowed (with the exception of guide dogs).

There are toilet facilities located in Jubilee Place and the Market Hall, and several cash points in the vicinity of the market as well.

During the busier periods, keep a close eye on your belongings as the area can be prone to pick-pockets.

Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes for your visit, and it may not be a bad idea to bring a raincoat or umbrella with you as well, just in case it rains.

When to Visit

Borough Market is free for anyone to enter, and its opening times are:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Fridays (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Saturdays (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Be aware that on Mondays and Tuesdays, not all of the market’s traders will be present as they are both limited-market days; however, all of the street food traders will be open for business, as well as fruit and vegetable stalls, bakers, cheesemongers and charcuterie sellers.

If you are checking out the Borough Market, you might also want to join any of the free tours of London that are available on offer.

Free Tours in Your Language

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