Petticoat Lane Market, Street market in Tower Hamlets, England
Petticoat Lane Market spreads across Middlesex Street and nearby streets with more than 1000 stalls selling clothing, accessories, leather goods, and household items. The market fills the area with rows of vendors displaying their merchandise throughout the week.
The market began in the 1600s when French Huguenot traders set up businesses selling petticoats and lace on this street. These origins established the site as a trading center that grew into the diverse marketplace we see today.
The market brings together vendors from many backgrounds who sell everything from clothing to household goods. This tradition of street trading has shaped the neighborhood's character for centuries.
The market runs on Wentworth Street from Monday to Friday, while the main market opens on Sundays starting at 9:00 AM. Weather can affect which stalls set up on any given day, so visiting early gives you the best selection.
The original name Petticoat Lane came from the undergarments French traders sold here and was officially changed to Middlesex Street in the 1800s. Victorians found the word petticoat too embarrassing for a respectable neighborhood, leading to this surprising rename.
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