Located in the heart of London Bridge, Borough Market has been a place of dining and commerce for over 1,000 years.
Today I'm giving you all the information you'll need to plan a visit to Borough Market.
Borough Market: article summary
Borough Market: a little history
Borough Market has a story to tell. The first real mention of the market comes from the Scandinavian saga Heimskringla, which mentions the great market town of Southwark during Olaf Haraldsson's invasion in 1014.
Several tumultuous centuries of petty squabbles, expansions and Southwark's burgeoning status as London's lawless party town brought the market to its present location in 1756, where it has remained ever since.
The modern market was shaped by a period of decline in the 1970s, when the rise of supermarkets has made wholesaling much less profitable.
By the mid-90s, artisan retailers had taken over the market's vacant warehouses, organizing gastronomic events that quickly gained in popularity.
Things to see at Borough Market
A stroll between stalls brimming with sweet treats, mountains of fruit and vegetables and of sizzling street food dishes is a feast for the senses.
There are no rules here. You can start with dessert! For the latter, you can choose Bread Ahead's doughnuts.
These are spectacular cream-filled doughnuts that are incredibly popular and tend to sell out quite quickly.
Borough Market: chorizo, another local speciality
Other signature dishes include chorizo from Brindisi. High-quality Spanish chorizo is grilled, stuffed into a ciabatta roll, served with arugula and piquillo peppers.
So ubiquitous that it has its own dedicated web page, chorizo is best eaten on the go, while you wait for your next snack.
Exceptional cheeses
On site, you can sample cheeses from over 70 different cheesemakers from the UK and Ireland. Enough to satisfy all cheese lovers.
When should you visit Borough Market?
You'll need to plan ahead for your visit to the market, as it's not open every day of the week.
The best time to visit is between Wednesday and Saturday, when all merchants come to display their wares.
The range of products on offer changes with the seasons, especially the fruit and vegetable stalls. You can also expect seasonal treats from the vendors.
Perhaps the best time to visit is early Saturday morning. You can avoid the crowds.
Restaurants, pubs & bars near Borough Market
On-site, you'll find a wide range of dining options. You can enjoy a meal or a drink at :
- Wright Brothers
- El Pastor
- Black and Blue
- Arthur Hooper
Personally, I recommend you try the seafood at Wright Brothers or the tacos at El Pastor. These are my favorites when I go to the market.
For a drink in the market, pubs like The Wheatsheaf and The Market Porter are popular options.
Last but not least, there are plenty of London Bridge. You will have plenty of choice for an enjoyable evening with friends after your visit to the market.
What are the opening hours?
The market opens :
- From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
- From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
- From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
- From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
The Borough Market is a great place to visit if you want to find local produce and enjoy an evening out with friends. On site, you'll be able to sample traditional dishes and enjoy an exceptional evening over a beer.
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