Borough Market, Food market in Southwark, England
This marketplace in Southwark spreads across several covered walkways and open courtyards south of the Thames, with dozens of stalls beneath 19th-century iron roofs. Brick arcades surround the main hall, while smaller sections branch into adjacent streets and buildings.
A market existed near London Bridge by 1014 and was first documented in 1276; an act of Parliament abolished it in 1754 over traffic congestion, and it reopened in 1756 on the 4.5-acre Rochester Yard site. The present buildings were designed by Henry Rose in 1851, with additions in the 1860s and an Art Deco entrance on Southwark Street in 1932.
Regular tastings at many stalls invite visitors to sample cheese, cured meats, or freshly prepared dishes directly from vendors. Many traders offer conversations about the origin and production of their goods, sharing family recipes or traditional preparation methods.
Many walkways are narrow and can get very crowded on weekends, so arriving early in the day or during weekdays is best. Most stalls accept card payment, though some traders take cash only.
A network of tunnels beneath the market once served as storage rooms for goods arriving across the Thames. Some of these underground vaults now house restaurants and additional vendor spaces, accessible during opening hours.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,266 contributors worldwide.
