Shop at a London Antique Market Every Day
To Camden Passage, Bermondsey and Piccadilly for Treasure Hunting
When in London looking for antiques, visitors may want to shop like Londoners. The London markets are vibrant, busy and overflowing with treasures from antiques to clothing. Buyers will find an open market everyday of the week in London. All they have to do is pick a day and take the tube. The markets listed here are among the best and most popular.
Grays Antiques Market
Grays Antiques Market, along with Davies Mews, is an indoor market with many fine antique dealers. Shoppers will very likely find what they're looking for here as it has many specialty dealers in glass, jewelry, dolls, vintage clothing, militaria, rare books and more. They are located just off Oxford Street in a prime shopping neighborhood. It's possible to visit the market in the morning and shop along Oxford Street in the afternoon.
Grays Antique Market is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and as of September 19th, 2009, they will begin opening Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. They will be launching the new Saturday opening with music and afternoon tea. The first 50 people through the doors will receive a Grays gift certificate. They are located at 58 Davies Street. Bond Street tube stop.
Piccadilly Market
Piccadilly Market sells antiques on Tuesdays from 10am to 6pm with an eclectic selection. You'll find vintage jewelry, ephemera, glass and more. The arts and crafts market here runs from Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Many of the arts and crafts are of ethnic origin and mass-produced, but dealers come and go, so you never know what you'll find.
Located at 197 Piccadilly in Mayfair. Piccadilly Circus tube stop.
Bermondsey Market
Bermondsey Market, also known as the New Caledonian Market is a must-see. The market is across the river at Southwark at Bermondsey Square, the site of an ancient abbey and a short walk from the the London Bridge tube stop. They are open on Fridays from a very early 6 am to noon, but for the best deals, try to get there when the dealers are setting up between 4 am and 5 am.
The early hour is the traditional result of the old law of marché ouvert, which stated that goods sold from sunset to sunrise did not have to have provenance proven. In other words those selling in the market could knowingly sell stolen goods. The law was abolished, but the Bermondsey tradition has remained.
At Bermondsey, you'll find bric-a-brac and antiques, particularly silver and decorative items.
Camden Passage
Camden Passage is both a lane and an antiques market, open Wednesday and Saturday mornings. There are shops and stalls running along the passage from the Angel to Islington Green. It's been a popular antiques destination since the '60s and presently boasts a few hundred dealers with a huge array of specialties. Shoppers will find Camden Passage by the Angel Tube Stop.
Market Shopping in London, England
London is as safe as any other city in Europe or North America, but be worldly-wise when visiting the markets. Keep your pocket book close in crowded situations.
Don't be afraid to haggle with the dealers for a better deal. Haggling in London is a tradition.
Bring a flashlight for the early markets, along with a back pack or carrier bag. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly.
Permission granted for photo use.
References
Bermondsey Square, London
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Camden Passage, London
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Grays Antique Market, Mayfair
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