Borough Market

What to expect

Borough Market is a food market that claims roots going back to 1014, with a market near London Bridge recorded in 1276. The present buildings were designed by Henry Rose in 1851, and the market sits beneath railway viaduct arches next to Southwark Cathedral. In the 20th century it was mainly a wholesale fruit and vegetable market. It was reopened as a retail market in the 1990s, and is now run by a charitable trust.

Today it sells specialty foods: fresh produce, cheese, meat, game, bread and pastries, plus hot food to eat on the spot. The stalls are spread under cover and along the surrounding streets, so you can walk around freely. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and is liveliest at lunchtime, when it can be very crowded. Come hungry and graze rather than sit down for a meal.

Don't miss

• Cheese stalls and counters
• The Art Deco entrance on Southwark Street
• Bread and pastry stalls
• Southwark Cathedral next to the market
• The railway arches overhead

Tips for your visit

• Go on a weekday morning for more space and easier chats with the traders.
• Come hungry and eat as you walk instead of booking a restaurant.
• Check the opening days on the official site, since it is not open every day.
• Walk on to Shakespeare's Globe or Tate Modern, both within about a quarter of an hour on foot.