London markets

Camden Market

There are several different areas to Camden Market (www.camdenlock.net), and you can pick up anything from cheap fashion items to original designs from boutiques. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, this is the place to come. Open daily.

Portobello Road Market

Made famous by the movie Notting Hill, this colourful and seemingly endless market (www.portobelloroad.co.uk) morphs from real antiques to fruit and veg, great clothes, jewellery and household items. Saturday is the market day, but plenty to enjoy all week.

Greenwich Market

Not one but three covered markets to explore: Thursday, antiques; Friday, a mixture including vintage clothing; weekends, arts and crafts. Greenwich Market (www.greenwichmarket.net/) has been trading since 1700 and is still one of the most popular places to visit on the weekends.

Borough Market

Endorsed by many a celebrity chef, Borough Market (www.boroughmarket.org.uk) offers a wonderful mix of excellent foods including fruit, veg, meat, fish, beer, cider and wine. The market is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are always samples on offer and the area has some great pubs to unwind in after a hard day's shopping.

Spitalfields Market

Spitalfields (www.visitspitalfields.com) indoor market in the thriving East End of London and it is surround by great retro shops. The market sells anything from cushions, craft jewellery and other handmade products. The weekly fashion market (Fridays) is an opportunity for you to buy directly from London’s creative young designers.

Columbia Road Flower Market

The most colourful market in London sets the East End ablaze with a riot of beautiful blooms. Buy house plants, fragrant cut flowers and bedding plants or simply go along for the buzz. Pop into a multitude of crafty shops, sip on a coffee and watch the world go by. The Columbia Road Flower Market (www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/285623) takes place every Sunday morning and is a short walk from Liverpool Street station.