The early morning empty street of Borough Market
I am a sucker for the ‘M’ word…no, not men…markets. Markets are fascinating to me, I can wander around them for hours and looking at the perfectly placed produce, marvel at new shapes and smells, or watch the interactions with the sellers and customers. I can appreciate dirty, smelly markets as well as upscale markets; yet I must admit that I prefer the dirty, smelly ones! So when a friend recommended I go check out the Borough Market in London this summer, I didn’t even hesitate. I picked up my camera and took the tube to go check out Borough Market which was nestled under railway viaducts near London Bridge.
Borough Market Hours
I went early to avoid crowds and figured that all the best stuff would be there early. However, to my surprise many of the stalls hadn’t opened up yet! Apparently this wasn’t like Asian markets in Vietnam where things opened as the sun came up in order to beat the heat. I continued to wander around with my camera watching vendors get set up for the day feeling as if I wasn’t actually a tourist, but instead that I was part of the market atmosphere prepping for a date. The upside was that I had the place to myself. The downside was that there wasn’t as much food out to sample!
It’s pretty quiet early in the morning!
If you want to make sure you get food, then here are the official Borough Market Hours:
Open for lunch: Mon, Tue 10am-5pm; Full Market: Wed, Thur 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm
Photographing Borough Market
Borough Market was definitely more upscale than what I’m used to and had all varieties of prepared food as well as fruits and vegetables. But I think my favorite thing about it was the location of it under the viaduct and the hundreds of tiny little restaurants which surrounded the market. All looked so yummy and made me wish I could come back later that evening for dinner! But, for this trip to Borough Market all I could do was look around, take pictures, and interact with the vendors. Just what I love to do!
Daisies brighten up dreary London skies
Fluffy Merange Clouds of Yumminess
Produce Carts
Cheese Glorious Cheese
What more is there to say?!
Colorful Cookies
London Loaves
Prepared Food
To get more information on Borough Market, be sure to visit their great website which has maps of the market, directions, recipes, and other cool information on the history. www.boroughmarket.org.uk
By Karen A. Chase October 7, 2011 - 6:41 am
Fabulous market photos. These make me long for the markets I frequented in Paris this past May when I went for my 40th.
By Jarmo @ Arctic Nomad October 7, 2011 - 8:07 am
My favorite market in London, used to live walking distance from there and just loved shopping for cheese and other food stuffs from there. You missed the best part if you didn’t get to sample all the cheese and other things!!
By Sherry October 7, 2011 - 11:22 am
I know! Next time I want to go back later in the day and sample food and then stop at one of those cute wine bars and just people watch! You always need to leave some things undone so you have a reason to go back!
By NLM October 7, 2011 - 9:13 am
These are wonderful photos. I love checking out the markets wherever I go. thanks for the post.
Nancy
By Lucy October 7, 2011 - 10:55 am
I lived in London for 10 years and this is one of my favourite places – gorgeous photos, I’ve never seen it so quiet, obviously should’ve been getting up earlier!
Lucy
By Sherry October 7, 2011 - 11:24 am
Yes – I’m sure it looks really different at about 11AM! I’m so used to Asian markets where you have to get up super early when the sun comes up – so this was surprising to me too!
By Nancy & Shawn Power... Inspiring YOU to Travel! October 7, 2011 - 3:50 pm
Wow! Love your pics, and yes, we love markets too!
So fun.
Nancy & Shawn
By Maggie October 7, 2011 - 10:33 pm
These are some seriously beautiful photos!! What a lovely market to stroll around in. I would love to eat some of that Indian food and pick up some fresh flowers.
By Rachel & Joel October 8, 2011 - 7:00 am
We tried to stop by Borough Market when we were in London, but sadly it was already closed for the night. We did get a chance to eat at a restaurant inside the market that was amazing! It was called The Wright Brothers. Check it out if you get a chance!
http://www.followourbreadcrumbs.com/2011/06/sampling-of-london-foods
By Andrea October 8, 2011 - 10:45 am
Beautiful photos of my favourite London market.
By cavel Capalbo October 8, 2011 - 5:06 pm
love the markets in London, try East street in SE London
By Emily in Chile October 8, 2011 - 7:00 pm
It all looks so amazing! Literally every photo made me think “oh, look at that cheese/bread/curry.” I too am a sucker for a good market, especially if there are samples on offer.
By JoAnna October 10, 2011 - 10:01 pm
Stunning! It looks so crisp!
By Jillian October 18, 2011 - 3:39 am
I LOVE markets too! I love seeing what everyone has to offer and just walking around and taking in the sights of people doing their day-to-day activities. This market looks lovely especially the Chicken Masala and Meranges! I wish I had known about this market when I was in London a few weeks ago! Thanks for sharing!
By London Blocked Drain November 23, 2011 - 4:51 am
The best London market. I love looking around the market when I’m not in work and trying all different foods.
By ClaudiRTW March 3, 2012 - 6:18 pm
Marvelous collection! Love your close-ups of the flowers and sweets! Always happy to stumble over your fotographs 🙂
keep going!
By London Chow April 14, 2012 - 2:51 am
Brilliant photos! Pity that the grocery stall (the one with the huge display of fresh vegetables) doesn’t allow photographs taken of it now. But I never fail to recommend Borough Market to a first time visitor to London. 🙂
By Sherry April 14, 2012 - 4:35 am
Wow – those pictures were only from last summer – sounds like some there have been some changes! Glad I got there when I did to take photos – it was a beautiful market early in the morning when everyone was setting up their stalls.
By Rigor November 29, 2012 - 5:04 pm
Sherry: you have said right that in Asia such markets open quiet early. The reason is the cultural difference of Asia and Europe. Your pictures are really wonderful and you deserve appreciation for it. I have also sketched top 10 London markets in my article. I am going to India in February and then I would learn more about the cultural difference visiting its markets.
By Ian Pinchen October 29, 2013 - 9:52 am
Lovely pictures of a lovely market Sherry. Did you get to cross the road and look at the George Inn – one of the oldest and few remaining galleried coaching inns in the UK. Said to be Shakespeare’s local inn when he lived in London. The Globe Theatre is just around the corner..
By Sherry October 29, 2013 - 11:33 am
No I didn’t go to the George Inn – I had a short time there early in the morning a few years ago. I have really spent very little time in London – need to get back there…:)
By Cindy May 30, 2016 - 10:58 am
Love Borough Market. I have framed photos in my kitchen. My son lives in London so I stop there every visit.