Antika › London antiques markets: Portobello, Bermondsey and Sunbury
London antiques markets: Portobello, Bermondsey and Sunbury
London has several famous antiques markets, each with a different character. This guide covers what we could confirm about three of them, and how to plan a visit.
Portobello Road, Notting Hill
Portobello Road is the best-known street market for antiques in London. According to Wikipedia, Saturday is the main antiques day and the only day when all five sections of the market are open. Those sections are second-hand goods, clothing and fashion, household essentials, fruit and vegetables, and antiques. Shops and cafes open daily, and some stalls trade on other days, mainly further north near the Westway Flyover.
A short history
The Museum of London says Portobello Road was a country lane through farmland in the 1700s, named after Portobello Farm. The market was probably in place by 1870 and began as a food market. Antiques arrived after the Second World War, partly because the closure of Islington's Caledonian Market sent dealers to Portobello. The Museum of London says the market has about 1,000 vendors across five sections and attracts more than 100,000 visitors on Fridays and Saturdays.
Visiting tips
- It is very crowded on Saturdays. Go early for the antiques section.
- The stretch is long (about 940 metres, according to Wikipedia), so decide which end to start at.
- Many arcades and shops have set prices; street stalls often have room for polite negotiation.
- Check the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's website or the traders' own sites for current market days before you go.
Bermondsey Antiques Market
Bermondsey's market is held on Fridays. Southwark Council's page lists it under private and community-run markets, with hours of 6am to 2pm at Long Lane, SE1 4QB, near the junction with Tower Bridge Road. The council page does not name a market operator, so use the stall contact on the council page if you need information. The early start is a tradition: serious buyers arrive before dawn to catch new stock.
Visiting tips
- Get there early. Some stallholders are packing up by lunchtime.
- Bring cash and a bag, and check the current hours on the council page.
- Look around before buying, then return to the stalls you liked.
Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park
Outside central London, the Sunbury Antiques Market takes place at Kempton Park Racecourse. The Jockey Club's page for the market notes it has traded there for over 40 years, and shows hours of 6.30am to 2pm on the date listed. The page does not give an entry fee or say how often it is held, and sends visitors to sunburyantiques.com for details. Please check that site for dates.
Choosing between them
| Market | Main day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Portobello Road | Saturday | Atmosphere, browsing, mix of antiques and bric-a-brac |
| Bermondsey | Friday, 6am to 2pm | Early start and a focus on antiques |
| Sunbury at Kempton | Check the market's website | A big, organised market with parking |
Planning a London market day
Markets are outdoors, so check the weather and bring a layer. Public transport is easiest for Portobello and Bermondsey since parking is limited around both; for Sunbury at Kempton Park, the racecourse has its own parking arrangements, so check its page. If you want to combine markets, Friday morning at Bermondsey and Saturday at Portobello make a good weekend, but verify the hours on the day since market schedules do change.
More on buying
Read buying tips before you go, and see the main UK antiques fairs if you want events outside London.
Frequently asked questions
When is Portobello Road antiques market open?
Saturday is the main antiques day, when all five market sections are open. Shops and cafes open daily.
What time is Bermondsey Antiques Market?
Southwark Council lists it on Fridays from 6am to 2pm at Long Lane, SE1 4QB. Check before you travel.
Where is the Sunbury antiques market?
At Kempton Park Racecourse. The racecourse page links to sunburyantiques.com for dates.