London has an extensive number of flea markets. Camden is the most famous, though you have others less famous but equally good!

You have a map here- but let us give you more detail of each one of them.

CAMDEN
Camden is a vast area that comprises not only the exterior markets but also plenty of restaurants, music bars, great pubs and lots and lots of people.
This area existed mostly for years as a transport hub via the canals. It was only in the 70s that it started being famous as a trading place mostly for craft makers and cheap second hand sellers. The home for Punks, Mods and Gothics, Ravers or Reggae lovers, you can find any tribe here and shops to fulfil their tastes. They have clothes, gifts, jewellery, shoes, furniture, antiques and tons of second hand items. You can make a day around Camden, with fantastic budget food stalls (mostly oriental food and organic healthy food), beer garden to recover your energy, tons of people watching, spending your big bucks and party the night away.
Camden has become a bit overpriced and don't be fool by the concept of it being a flea market, many items would be cheaper in proper shops! Haggle and get a bargain, double check quality and expect to find people wearing the same things as you, specially if they are cute little dresses coming from Korea or China.
www.camdenlock.net
www.camdenlockmarket.com

PORTOBELLO
The second big name in flea markets… they sell mostly antiques and you can find very interesting pieces and unfortunately some stolen ones. Legend goes that a famous Spanish TV presenter got his gold watch stolen (I think from his grandad) and he found it here!

There is a permanent small stall, usually run by Japanese young girls that sell everything at £5, all kind of junk jewellery, brooches, necklaces and others that can bring a smile on your face!

Adventure yourself in the mini-markets with antiques for that wedding present you need or an advanced Xmas gift for your dad or your mum!! Or that piece to complete your collection – yes, collector's heaven it is!

www.portobelloroad.co.uk
www.portobellomarket.org

SPITALFIELDS
Modern, cool, trendy.. all these can define this market. It holds young creators work, designers, painters, jewellers, knitters, photographers… together with tasty food stalls and very cool Londoners to look at for the latest trends. In the heart of the East, near Brick Lane, it is a good alternative if you are looking for an exclusive piece.
They also got a fantastic old style sweet shop and an events venue where they play gigs and dj sessions mostly on Sunday nights.

Once you finish with the market, walk up towards the big church, passing by the Ten Bells pub on your left (where Jack the Ripper's victims used to meet up) – and head towards Brick Lane – full of clothes shop too and great Indian restaurants and cool bars.

Oh! And for cheap essentials, like socks or things like that, check Petticoat Lane for proper flea market style and prices. If you are coming from Liverpool St towards Spitalfields you will find Petticoat Lane on the way.

FOOD MARKETS & others
There are cheap open air markets selling essentials, plastic items, food (mostly veggies and fruit), fabrics and no-brand items in most main neighbourhoods. If you are looking right downtown, head to Berwick Street, this market was established in 1830! It sells mostly food, veggies and fruits - it's daily, tiny but handy. For West Londoners, the best offer is at Shepherds Bush Market, open daily except Sundays. Is big and offers all kind of things: veggies, fruits, domestic products... And you can access it also from Goldhaw Road's tube station. If you are in South London, you have the fantastic Brixton Market, placed in a 1930s building, if caters all kind of products! For North Londoners, you have Seven Sisters Market, with food and packed produce. And, in the East area, you have a few, but we recommend Columbia Road Flower Market (though this one requires an early morning on Sundays!) and Whitechapel Market, an Asian market with fruits, fish, clothing, electrics...

And Greenwich market, further South East consists in a large series of markets selling antiques, arts & crafts, clothing, books and food.

Hidden away there is Gabriel's Wharf, a small market by the South side of the river, next to the Oxo Tower, with mostly crafts and one nice pub at the end. It is a nice stop on a long river walk.

And, in the heart of the city and full of businessmen we find Leadenhall, a well preserved Victorian food market, off Gracechurch St, north of the Monument. Some of the shops don't look as if they've changed over the past century!