There’s no doubt that London is a paradise for the vintage clothes enthusiast. Mentioned in the same breath as Paris and New York when talking about fashion, London’s heritage and history makes it the perfect breeding ground for second-hand market stalls and shops. From 20s original flapper dresses to 90s sportswear, there’s no shortage of opportunity to find unique and rare items; undoubtedly the best finds are always hidden away in the stalls of London’s most prestigious vintage markets. To get your hands on some vintage threads, do the rounds of the following markets and you’re sure to find some treasures;
North London
Hackney Flea Market, www.hackneyfleamarket.com
Hackney Flea Market largely features bric-a-brac, reclaimed fittings, vintage and retro clothing and homeware. Heavily curated to ensure only high quality items, you’ll save time on digging through huge piles of clothing only for there ultimately to be nothing worthwhile in there. Due to the limited size of the market, the curated element also means that every available space is stocked with high quality vintage and retro products. Hackney Flea Market offers an array of vintage and new, often handmade items.
Where is it? 73A Stoke Newington Church St. London, N16 0AS
When is it open? Sat & Sun, 11am - 6pm
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Buses and trains both run, with the nearest train station being Stratford
Punters at Hackney Flea Market
Pop Up Vintage Fair, www.popupvintagefairs.co.uk
Pop Up Vintage Fair changes the locations at which it appears but has a couple of regular haunts including Walthamstow Assembly Hall and Alexandra Palace. Having won the award for ‘Best London Vintage Fair’ three years in a row, they provide spaces for stalls full to the brim with quality genuine vintage goods from lighting to women’s fashion and menswear. With a definition of vintage that stretches from early 1900s onwards to 1990s, there’s something for everyone in almost a century's worth of clothing! For information on when the next fair is to be held, you can check their website or Facebook page.
Where is it? Old Hampstead Town Hall, Alexandra Palace, Wilton’s Music Hall and Walthamstow Assembly Hall are all regularly used venues. Check website for upcoming market locations.
When is it open? 09:30 - 16:30
Is there an entrance fee? Yes, £6 or £3 with a 2-4-1 entry voucher available through the website
How can I get there? All locations are accessible via train and bus.
Pop Up Vintage Fair at Alexandra Palace
Camden Market, www.camdenmarket.com
A long-term staple of the London vintage market scene, Camden Market made a name for itself selling anything and everything but these days posits itself as a funky and artsy local hangout. No longer quite the same level of anarchic selling as there used to be, Camden Market still hides treasures in its stalls whether you’re looking for gothic luxury or 90s adidas. Shopping opportunities at stalls Retro World and Time Tunnel Vintage almost guarantee the chance to cop some vintage steals.
Where is it? Camden Market, Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF
When is it open? Every day, 10:00 - late
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Accessible via train and bus, the nearest train stations are Camden Town, Camden Road and Camden Farm.
Camden Market on a sunny day
West London
Portobello Road Market, www.portobelloroad.co.uk/the-market
Open throughout the week apart from Sundays, Portobello Road Market offers a wide range of products and produce. With stalls selling everything from fruit & veg, new goods, second-hand goods, hot food, and retro/vintage clothing, there’s no shortage of opportunity to get your hands on rare items. The busiest day is by far Saturday, with all market stalls in full swing and even street performers out and about. Friday is a good day to attend if you’re looking for antiques and vintage clothing/accessories as Portobello Green specialises in vintage fashion on this day.
Where is it? Portobello Road, London, W11
When is it open? Monday - Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00, Thursday 09:00 - 13:00, Friday - Saturday 09:00 - 19:00
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Accessible via train and bus, the nearest train stations are Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, and Notting Hill Gate
Rows and rows of stalls at Portobello Road Market
Chiswick Car Boot Sale, www.chiswickcarbootsale.com
The Great British car boot sale is an institution - waking up early, grabbing a McDonalds breakfast for the bus ride, and meandering around a range of bric a brac, retro clothing and furniture for a weekend morning. Operating on the first Sunday of each month, Chiswick Car Boot is one of the largest car boot sales in the South East and offers a wide range of clothing, both vintage and new. As with most car boot sales, it’s possible to get your haggle on and work for the best price you can! Perfect for those on a budget or looking for something out of the ordinary.
Where is it? Hounslow, London, Greater London, England W4 3UN
When is it open? First Sunday of the month, buyers from 07:00 - 12:30
Is there an entrance fee? Yes, £1
How can I get there? Public transport is the best option, the E3 and 190 bus both run nearby and Chiswick train station is only five minutes away.
Vintage Fair at Chiswick Car Boot
South London
Peckham Salvage Yard, www.copelandpark.com/events/4802/peckham-salvage-yard
Run by the same team as Hackney Flea Market, Peckham Salvage Yard features over 50 handpicked traders selling homewares and vintage clothing/haberdashery. Boasting South London’s largest indoor vintage market, the combination of local loft clearance and specialist traders means unique treasures every week. There’s even local bakeries and cafes lining the area and a sound system to keep your vibe up while digging through piles of second-hand gold.
Where is it? Queen’s Road Peckham, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, SE15 3SN
When is it open? Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 - 18:00
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Via train to Peckham Rye or Queen’s Road Peckham, or via bus.
Clothes rails at Peckham Salvage Yard
Flea at Vinegar Yard, www.flealondon.com
Recently opened at Vinegar Yard, Flea is a carefully curated weekend market. A wide range of items are available, mostly fashion and antiques with some curiosity and homeware stalls. Not only limited to the weekend market, Flea run pop-up shops throughout the week alongside bars and food which can be purchased on weekdays and weekends to fuel you through your vintage shopping quests. They claim to be inspired by European markets, bursting with colour and rare finds.
Where is it? Vinegar Yard, St Thomas Street, London, SE1 3QX
When is it open? Weekend market: Saturday 11:00 - 18:00, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Accessible via train and bus due to central location, the nearest train station being London Bridge
Flea at Vinegar Yard in its central location
East London
Brick Lane Vintage Market, www.vintage-market.co.uk
Open throughout the week, Brick Lane Vintage Market offers a lively market experience and a wide range of genuine vintage and retro clothing. Offering wares from the 1920s to the 1990s, if you love the thrill of digging through old clothes to find stand-out items and the joy of finding rare and one-off items of clothing, get down to Brick Lane Vintage Market. Here at thrifted.com, we’re such big fans of the Brick Lane Vintage Market we have our own stall there where you can find the highlights of our vintage collection - come down and browse our wide selection of desirable vintage goods.
Where is it? Brick Lane Vintage Market, F Block, 85 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
When is it open? 7 days a week, Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 18:00, Sunday 10:00 - 18:00
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Accessible via train, the nearest underground stop is Aldgate East
Wares for sale at Brick Lane Vintage Market
Deptford Market
Not to be confused with Deptford Market Yard, an upscale corporate experience, Deptford Market is one of London’s true old-school markets still in operation. The market offers the opportunity to buy fresh fruit, veg and fish, household items, vintage haberdashery and clothing along Deptford High Street while Douglas Way is famous for the bric-a-brac collection of second-hand and newly bought goods. With history tracing all the way back to 1872, Deptford Market is truly one of a kind.
Where is it? Douglas Way, Deptford High Street, London, SE8 3PQ
When is it open? Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 09:00 - 17:30
Is there an entrance fee? No
How can I get there? Easily accessible via train, with the nearest station being New Cross
There is no shortage of vintage markets in London; selling unique, quirky and kitsch produce is as much a part of the cities history as the Houses of Parliament, illegal raves, and overcrowded public transport. It’s where much of the original character of the city can still be found - whether you love vintage or want to buy second-hand to save the planet, get down to your nearest vintage market this weekend and freshen up your wardrobe with some new old threads.
Stalls and customers at Deptford Market
Image 1: http://www.hackneyfleamarket.com/calendar
Image 2: https://popupvintagefairs.co.uk/
Image 3: https://www.camdenmarket.com/journal/open-as-usual
Image 4: https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/470049-notting-hill-and-portobello-road-market
Image 5: https://vintiquingchic.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/chiswick-carboot-fair-flea-market/
Image 6: https://www.list.co.uk/event/639519-peckham-salvage-yard/
Image 7: https://www.flealondon.com/
Image 8: https://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/brick-lane-vintage-market/
Image 9: http://ilovemarkets.co.uk/listing/deptford-market-douglas-way/