Leadenhall Market

What to expect

Leadenhall Market stands on what was once the centre of Roman London, and a market of some kind has been held here since the 14th century. It started as a meat, game and poultry market. The present building was designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones, who also designed Billingsgate and Smithfield markets.

What you see is a covered Victorian arcade with cobbled floors and an ornate roof painted in green, maroon and cream. Today it holds cafés, pubs, specialist food shops and a few other stores, mostly serving City workers on weekdays, so it is quietest at weekends. It stood in for the Leaky Cauldron area in the first Harry Potter film, which is why many visitors come. Most people spend twenty to thirty minutes.

Don't miss

• The painted ironwork roof
• The cobbled passages
• The main entrance on Gracechurch Street
• The Lamb Tavern
• Harry Potter film location

Tips for your visit

• Weekday lunchtime is busy with office workers; mornings are calmer.
• Bank and Monument are the nearest Tube stations.
• Look up at the roof and the painted details; they are easy to miss.