Sunday, February 25, 2007

Borough Market

Borough Market is the most wonderful place!

From the outside it just looks like some other run down place in London. When you venture inside you are met with the most wonderful atmosphere and on market day the most wonderful smells and sights.

This market was probably the first food market in London. First used as a market as far back as the Roman occupation. The market still trades as a wholesale market every night (except Saturday) from 2am - 8am. Shoppers such as you and I are able to buy the most wonderful things there on Thursdays 11am - 5pm, Fridays 12pm - 6pm and Saturdays 9am - 4pm.

This is the inside of the market after everyone has shut up and gone home. It is full of little open shops all displaying boards offering for sale their wonderful, mostly organic and home grown goods.

Does that sound good or what?!! Cumberland bacon and hams....I really must try those.

As you can see it is a pretty eerie place at night and you can just imagine how it must have been 200 years ago. By day it takes on a competely different feel and is now very trendy and busy. There are now more markets that have sprung up in the streets joining the market and these too are very much worth a visit.

While visiting the market you can of course visit the river Thames as the market is on the rivers bank right at London bridge. Southwark cathedral is also within 5 minutes walk. This cathedral is the oldest Gothic building in London. Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde is also within 5 minutes walk along with the Tate Modern and Shakespheares Globe too! The Clink prison is also nearby (more of that later!) and again within walking distance.

A great place to visit for the day...there is so much you can do without travelling too far!

4 comments:

Eugene Salomon said...

Looks like a charming place. Looking forward to learning about the Clink prison - hope you can get some shots of that, Madame Tour Guide!

angela said...

I never knew it existed.
We used to go to a pub that I think was in Borough High Street. It used to be an old coach inn.
Do you know it?
Angela

Loui (and his mum!) said...

I think I may be doing an article on that one very soon...I have the photos at the ready!
Is it The George Inn by any chance Angela?

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

ooooh I am enjoying your tour tonight. Hubby is watching the Scotland Italy Footie match on tv, so I am free to take in the sights of London and your brilliant commentary.

When does the tour bus depart? And please can I be on it when you are doing the commentary?????

so much better than the footy!

Jeannie xx