Established markets are in abundance around the Square Mile. Whether you’re looking for artisanal bites, a cold pint, or something to wear this weekend, the City of London has a market for you.
We’ve answered your questions about Spitalfields Market and we’ve explained everything there is to know about Leadenhall Market, so we thought we’d put the spotlight on the wonderful Borough Market and its history of providing food and drink to Londoners for 1,000 years.
Run by a charitable trust, Borough Market is a renowned market serving tourists and residents fresh, sustainable produce throughout the week. Originally a wholesale market for greengrocers, Borough Market has adapted over the years to help and support the local community.
If you’re a local or thinking of visiting for the first time, we’ve got all your FAQs questions below, so you can wow your friends with your knowledge next time you head there.
Where is Borough Market?
Just a stone’s throw away from London Bridge station, which is home to both the Northern and Jubilee Tube lines, as well as the mainline train station and bus station. With a plethora of bars, and restaurants surrounding the market, the area is definitely worth visiting for a day. What’s more, you’re a short walk from the River Thames, Tate Modern, The Golden Hind, The Shard and much more.
When is Borough Market open?
The market is open seven days a week, which is great if you are trying to avoid the weekend crowds. Borough Market is open from 10am – 5pm on Monday to Friday, and then 8am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sunday.
If you can’t make it down, the market also offers a huge selection of its trader’s produce online for delivery across the UK.
Tell us a little bit about the history of the market?
Before London Bridge, London was a small walled town on the north bank of the river, while Southwark was, according to boroughmarket.org.uk, an altogether different place and ‘a town of pubs and prostitutes, hawkers and hucksters, craftsmen and criminals’.
Once the bridge was built in circa 990AD, the city expanded. A very different looking bridge to the one we see today, London Bridge was almost a town of its own with buildings and shops on the bridge itself. With the presence of more and more people, Borough Market was formed in 1756 as the area became a corridor of power to the City of London.
What market stalls can I find at Borough Market?
There is a wide range of stalls and stands in the beautiful covered market all offering something unique and different. With shops selling authentic British grub or dishes influenced by international flavours, there’s something for every taste and appetite. One thing that all the market traders have in common is their levels of expertise and commitment to sustainability.
At around 100 stalls, stands, bars, restaurants and shops, traders at Borough Market include: Applebees Fish, a fishmongers and cafe; renowned wine shop Borough Wines; fruit and vegetables from Elsey & Bent; high-end, free-range butchers Ginger Pig; Iraqi street food specialists Kubba; Monmouth Coffee Company, Neal’s Yard Dairy; vegan cheese connoisseurs Palace Culture, and many, many more. Your options are endless!
Does Borough Market host events?
Yes! It’s not just a one-stop place to pick up your groceries or tuck into a delicious meal. Borough Market hosts events, showcases, cookery demonstrations, interviews and masterclasses online and in the market.
Past experiences have included Al Fresco Dining at Borough Market which saw outdoor dining spaces pop up outside the traders stalls, providing seating for the people to really enjoy foods fresh from the stall. Another is the Borough Market Cookbook Club, which runs on the premise that each event has a cookbook chosen as its theme. Members are asked to come along and share their thoughts and experiences creating dishes from the book. For upcoming events, head to boroughmarket.org.uk
Anything else I need to know?
Make sure you check out Borough Market’s very own podcast. Hosted by food writer and broadcaster Angela Clutton, the podcast covers all things foodie with in-depth conversations with inspiring individuals. Past episodes have seen Angela chatting with food writer Georgina Hayden and Phil Juma of Borough Market’s KUBBA. It’s well worth a listen!
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street SE1 1TL
boroughmarket.org.uk
Images courtesy of Borough Market
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