London's Best Farmers' Markets, Day by Day
London's producer markets cluster at the weekend, which suits anyone planning a proper shop. Saturday is the day for early starts and a spread of neighbourhoods. Sunday is gentler, with most markets opening at 10am and packing up mid-afternoon. Entry is free everywhere, and prices vary by stall, so bring cash and a sturdy bag. Hours shift around bank holidays and in winter, so check before you go.
Saturday
Pimlico Road Farmers' Market
This one sits at Orange Square (also called Mozart Square), on the corner of Pimlico Road and Ebury Street. London Farmers' Markets gives 9am to 2pm, and Visit London agrees. It names North Sea Seafood, Honeypie Bakery, Kubabka, Ted's Veg and Wild Country Organics among the stalls, which makes it a good place to buy fish and vegetables in one go.
Notting Hill Farmers' Market
It runs on Saturdays at Fox Primary School, off Kensington Church Street. Visit London lists it, and the developer Berkeley says it has been going since 1999, which is a long run for a market in one of London's most fought over postcodes. Opening times have been quoted differently by different listings, so check the hours before you set out.
Growing Communities Market, Stoke Newington
At St Paul's Church, N16 7UY, this Saturday market runs from 10am to 2.30pm and is organic only. That is a clear rule, and it makes shopping simple if you want to buy everything certified in one place.
Peckham Farmers' Market
The newest name on the list. It runs every Saturday on Bellenden Road from 9.30am to 3pm, later than most, so it works for a slower morning. The Nudge describes 25 or more traders, plus street food, coffee, wine and live music. It is as much a social outing as a shop, so go with a list if you want to stay on task.
Saturday at a glance
- Pimlico Road: 9am to 2pm
- Notting Hill: Fox Primary School, check hours
- Growing Communities, Stoke Newington: 10am to 2.30pm
- Peckham: 9.30am to 3pm
Sunday
Marylebone Farmers' Market
London Farmers' Markets calls this one of its flagship markets. It runs every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, rain or shine, across St Vincent Street and Aybrook Street, W1U 4DF, and onto the top of Moxon Street. The market's own page mentions seasonal produce such as asparagus, so it rewards anyone who shops by the calendar rather than by recipe.
Islington Farmers' Market
Held on Chapel Market, between Penton Street and Baron Street, N1 9PZ, from 10am to 2pm. Islington Council's directory counts at least 30 stalls and calls it London's first farmers' market. London Farmers' Markets lists Perry Court Farm fruit and veg, Chegworth Valleys apple juice, Grange Nursery cut flowers, pasta, cheese and bread. That is a good basis for a week of meals, and flowers for the table.
Queen's Park Farmers' Market
Every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Salusbury Primary School on Salusbury Road, NW6 6RG. That's Up puts it at around 40 stalls, which is generous for a school playground, and it is a reliable choice for north-west London.
Chiswick Farmers' Market
Sundays, 10am to 2pm, at Grove Park Farm House on Market Drive, W4 2RX. It is a tidy, neighbourhood market, good for a long weekend breakfast followed by a basket of vegetables.
Blackheath Farmers' Market
In Blackheath station car park, SE3 9LA, on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Convenient if you are coming in by train, and a decent way to end a walk across the heath.
Alexandra Palace Farmers' Market
Held in Alexandra Palace Park, N10 3TG, on Sundays from 10am to 3pm. The extra hour makes it one of the more forgiving markets for a late riser, and the setting means you can follow your shop with a long walk on the hill.
Victoria Park Market
Open Sundays from 10am to 4pm, the longest hours on this list. The Nudge says it opened in 2017 and has more than 60 traders, so it is large enough to browse for an hour or two. Treat it as a day out as well as a food shop.
Sunday at a glance
- Marylebone: 10am to 2pm
- Islington, Chapel Market: 10am to 2pm
- Queen's Park: 10am to 2pm
- Chiswick: 10am to 2pm
- Blackheath: 10am to 2pm
- Alexandra Palace: 10am to 3pm
- Victoria Park: 10am to 4pm
Monday to Friday
Weekdays are thinner for producer stalls, and the best-known midweek food market is not a farmers' market in the strict sense. Borough Market, at 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL, with London Bridge as the nearest station, is a general food market. Its own page shows Monday as closed, and it generally trades from Tuesday to Sunday. Use it for cheese, bread and fish on a weekday, but check current hours first.
Planning your week
- Go early on Saturday. Pimlico Road opens at 9am and Peckham at 9.30am, so these suit the first slot of the day.
- Use Sunday for the long shop. Marylebone, Islington and Queen's Park all follow the 10am to 2pm pattern, so you can plan around one time.
- Match the market to the habit. Growing Communities is the one if you want organic, Islington if you want flowers and apple juice, and Victoria Park if you want to stay until teatime.
- Check before you go. Hours change around bank holidays and in winter, and individual stalls come and go.
A good farmers' market habit works best when it is regular. Pick the one nearest your Saturday or Sunday routine, learn which stalls you trust, and let the season decide what goes in the basket.
