10 Best Flea Markets in the UK

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I have visited London and shopped at the Portobello Road Flea Market, which I found to be an awesome experience.

It was in January and there were large snowflakes falling on my shoulders as I shopped for quilted jackets to keep me warm in the cold weather.

I did not need a new jacket, and I didn’t buy one but went for a tee shirt instead.

Among the best flea markets in the UK, Portobello Road in London stands out from the rest.

Here are some top flea market shopping centers in the rest of this country.

1. Centuries’ Old Portobello Road Has a World Famous Market in London

At the Portobello Road Market, you are shopping at a world-famous, colorful, and lively bric-a-brac vintage and antiques flea market in the city of London.

Millions of people shop here annually, according to Visit Portobello.

Make sure to pick up a street sign replica on your way out of the market!

This market is an outdoor shopping experience with vendors selling new and used clothing, jewelry, home goods, and other decor.

These vendors set up booths and tables along a narrow but paved roadway–Portobello Road. 

Portobello Road has an insane history dating back to the 16th century when the road was called Green’s Lane.

After Portobello Farm was built, and then later the town of Puerto Bello was established, Portobello Road is all that remains of this past.

However, Portobello Road of today is nothing but popular thanks to its surrounding neighborhood of Notting Hill.

The flea market on Portobello Road began in the 1940s with vendors hawking used and vintage picks.

Saturday became the day vendors and buyers come onto the scene. 

There is some indoor shopping with vendors who have prime spots under the side awnings and in the main buildings.

The vintage flea market is hosted by Goldbourne and operates every day of the week except Sunday.

The hours are 8 am to 7 pm for those other six days of the week.

Baked bread and breakfast pastries, fresh produce, and ethnic street food can also be bought at the Portobello Road Market.

I am sure you will be able to find some portobello mushrooms, even!

2. Hackney Flea Market Hacks the Flea Market Scene 

The next flea market, Hackney Flea Market, is also in London.

Established more recently in 2013, the Hackney Flea Market regularly plays host to smaller flea markets.

As a flea market venue, you can catch The Big London Flea, Peckham Salvage Yard, and other regional markets hosted here at this location.

This is an indoor flea market where tables are open air and allow for easier shopping compared to sun-drenched booths at markets outdoors.

You will find a lot of art and ceramic products handmade by local craftspeople at the Hackney Flea Market.

Additional finds include vintage or used furniture, clothes, home decor, musical instruments, and antique kitchen appliances.

If you are someone who likes to commission art from local artists, head over to the Hackney Flea Market.

You will be able to view samples and connect with painters, sculptors, metalworkers, and potters.

They are ready to make lovely pieces unique to your own design or concept.

3. Notice the Bric-a-Brac at Nine Elms Market and Boot Sale

At the Nine Elms Market and Boot Sale, which is also in London, you have access to more than 400 vendors and stalls.

Everything from fried chicken to chandeliers is sold at this marketplace.

Nine Elms provides a selling place for boot sales, as well as casual and regular/professional traders.

Therefore, you will find a nice mix of personal effects, as well as commercial or mass-produced items. 

Nine Elms Market and Boot Sale are hosted every Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm.

The venue is the New Covent Garden Market in Vauxhall.

Dogs are not allowed at the market, and there is no electricity or infrastructure, such as gazebos or canopies.

This is indicative of the type of market scene you can expect when exploring Nine Elms. 

Saunders Markets is the holding company for Nine Elms and other markets in the UK.

Other markets hosted by Saunders Markets include North Weald Market, Willesden Market, Hemel Hempstead Market, High Wycombe Market, and Watford Market. 

4. Find the Flea at Vinegar Yard on St. Thomas Street, Also in London

Simply known as Flea, this is another market for flea market enthusiasts on the hunt in London.

I promise I will take you out of London soon, but alas!

It’s Flea!

Located on London Bridge, this is in the perfect location for tourists who are trying to get a good feel for the city.

The Vinegar Yard Flea is full of old books, jars, cards, and coats, as well as vintage and antique wares. Food at bars and handmade items are sold here, too. 

The market here is open only on the weekends, from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday.

According to Flea, “ Flea is cutting out the crap, bringing you curated vintage and other goodies from around the globe.

Flea has you covered with all your clothing, furniture, ceramics, spectacles, books, magazines, and vinyl needs.

There’s also a bar and scrummy street food stalls if you’re in need of shopping fuel.”

5. Ludlow Market for One of the Longest Running Flea Markets in the UK

At Ludlow Market, vendors have been selling items for more than 900 years.

This is a major thoroughfare for fresh produce, wines, local fashion, and wood furniture.

You might also find that fabulous vintage oil painting that is really worth a fortune when shopping at the Ludlow Market.

The market is located at the Guildhall on Mill Street in Ludlow. 

You can go shopping at Ludlow Market four days a week, all year long–Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

The times are not listed on the website.

My recommendation is to shop early in the morning to ensure you get the best assortment from vendors. 

This West England town is in Shropshire, where you also get to see a majestic medieval Norman citadel dating way back to 1094.

Reservations and appointments are not required to tour the well-preserved Ludlow Castle.

The castle is open to the public for a fee of 8 pounds per adult and 4 pounds per child.

There is also a special event held monthly–the Made in Shropshire craft market.

This market is held on the first Saturday of every month with the exception of January, February, and May.

6. Check Out Chesterfield Market and Market Hall, Plus a Market Cafe

The Chesterfield Market is held in Chesterfield, Derbyshire in central England near Sheffield, Manchester, and Leeds.

This is a traditional market held both indoors and outside with vendors selling household goods, fresh produce, and flea market finds.

The market is hosted in an open area for the market, along with Market Hall and the Market Cafe where food is sold. 

While the market is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, you can only go to the Chesterfield Flea Market on Thursdays.

The hours are 10 am to 4 pm on all market days.

Go on Thursday with your shopping totes in hand and ready to shop until you drop–or simply run out of pounds! 

7. Ashton Market Hall in Ashton-under-Lyne

At Ashton-under-Lyne at Tameside, the Ashton Market is on Bow Street.

Each week the market opens up in Ashton Market Hall to provide shopping for vendors selling homeware, crafts, clothing, and food.

There is an indoor and outdoor market at this flea just east of Manchester in Central UK.

The indoor marketplace is where you go shopping at stalls and for food and drinks.

The outdoor market has kiosks and provides covered stalls for vendors.

The flea market is held on Tuesday in the outdoor marketplace at Ashton Market.

At the indoor stalls, vendors on the roster include Cravens Shoe Repairs, Knits and Pieces, Specktakle, and George’s Ladies Outwear–just to name a few.

Buy suitcases, fancy costume dresses, pet products, and eyebrow wax.

Food sold at the outdoor market kiosks includes Fruits and Roots greengrocer, Tre Tori fast food takeaway, and Fusion Wok for authentic Asian noodles. 

8. Quayside Market in Newcastle Upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear 

With an introduction like that, Quayside Market is more than an interesting mouthful of words.

You have to see the scenery to believe it.

This open-air market is located beneath the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and next to some amazing architecture.

The Newcastle Quayside Market is open every Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.

This is when handcrafted goods and local produce are made for sale.

The River Tyne market has a long-standing history in the community.

Quayside showcases street foods at food trucks, as well as seasonal and festive holiday markets, quite well.

Come with an appetite because The Brownie Bar, The Doughnut Guy, and Geordie Bangers are all waiting for you to dine.

The Quayside Sunday Market is ranked as TripAdvisor’s #32 of 300 things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne.

That means you will have plenty of other exciting activities to check out while you are in town for flea market shopping on a Sunday. 

What is the #1 thing to do in this UK town?

Victoria Tunnel, a historic site, which is followed by #3 Quayside, covers the Millennium Bridge at the flea market.

So, technically, the flea market location is one of the top three things to see when in Newcastle upon Tyne!

9. Get Your Car Care and Tools at Ellon Indoor Market Home and Garden

Want to buy hardware to fix an old door for a new entryway?

Check out the Ellon Indoor Market Home and Garden in Ellon in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in the UK.

This is the northernmost flea market on this list and it comes with some surprising finds.

Along with strictly being hosted indoors, the Ellon Indoor Market also sells hefty items like pianos and beds.

You will not find a Baby Grand at most flea markets as you do at Ellon! 

The indoor market is open year-round and specializes in home and garden items.

This includes tools and hardware, as well as car care items.

You will also find plenty of antiques here at this vintage marketplace.

Services, though, are the big ticket item that attracts shoppers to Ellon Indoor Market.

Here they will detail your car, wash your windows at your house, or even go shopping for you.

These value-added services help you make the most of your time as you shop for fun and unique items at one of the best flea markets in the UK.

10. The Kelham Flea Rounds Out the Best UK Flea Markets

The Kelham Flea Antiques and Vintage Centre at Riverside Works is one of the more true-blue authentic flea markets in the UK.

Located in Neepsend Lane in Sheffield, UK, this indoor flea market is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, and closes on Monday and Tuesday. 

Expect to pick through tons of vintage home goods and antiques for the interior spaces of your home and office.

Pop culture prints, planter ladders, wall art, and sculptures in the shape of horse heads are all sold here.

They do not have a cafe or eating area, or food trucks on location, so prepare ahead of time regarding tea and meals.

The 10 Best Flea Markets in UK – Summary Table

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