Borough Market

Borough Market is one of London's oldest and best-known food markets, trading beside London Bridge in a spot where markets have been held since at least the 12th century. Its present iron and glass halls date mostly from the 1850s, with later additions including an Art Deco entrance on Southwark Street and a portico rescued from Covent Garden's Floral Hall. The market is run by a charitable trust and is free to enter, with traders spread beneath the railway viaducts that carry trains into London Bridge station.

The market is divided into three main areas. Three Crown Square is home to larger producers and merchants, the Green Market gathers smaller specialist produce traders, and Borough Market Kitchen focuses on street food. Expect stalls selling British cheese, bread, charcuterie, fish, game, fruit and vegetables, along with specialist groceries from around the world. Many visitors come to graze, picking up a toasted cheese sandwich, an oyster or a pastry as they walk, while others shop seriously for ingredients. Several restaurants and cafés sit around the edges, including well-known pasta and coffee spots.

The market suits food lovers, families and anyone wanting a lively lunch near the river. It is at its most enjoyable on a weekday morning, when there is room to browse and talk to traders. Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, and passageways can become congested. Bring a bag for shopping and be ready to eat standing up or perched on a step, as seating is limited.

Borough Market is closed on Mondays. It opens from 10:00 to 17:00 Tuesday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays, with different hours over the festive period and on bank holidays. All public spaces are on one ground floor, so there are no stairs or lifts to manage, although some surfaces are cobbled and passageways can be narrow. Accessible toilets are available in four locations during trading hours, and the Borough Market Store just inside the main entrance is a good place to ask questions.

The market is right next to London Bridge station, served by the Jubilee and Northern lines and National Rail, and several bus routes stop within five minutes' walk. Southwark Cathedral stands beside the market, and the Thames path leads west to Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern or east towards Tower Bridge.