You’ll find Greenwich Market in the heart of the Greenwich town centre. First opened in 1737, and enhanced throughout the 1900s, the essence of Greenwich Market goes back several centuries. Today, the market is a well-known stable in the Greenwich area where vendors show up to sell and trade various antiques, collectables, arts, and crafts.
In this write-up, we’ll explore Greenwich Market and its numerous offerings in more depth. Often forgotten in comparison to the likes of Borough, Portobello Road and Covent Garden Markets, I believe Greenwich Market and its neighbourhood have more to offer than what meets the eye.
So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Location and nearby attractions
In short, Greenwich Market is located somewhere in the middle of Greenwich Park, Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark. For reference, you can view the location on Google Maps below.
Other nearby attractions include the National Maritime Museum, Royal Greenwich Observatory, and, in my humble opinion, Waterstones on Greenwich Church St. The latter is the most charming little bookshop featuring a cosy cafe on the 1st floor — I always come here after a stroll in Greenwich Park to relax for a little while before venturing on.
Getting to Greenwich Market
As luck would have it, there are multiple ways of getting to Greenwich Market, all of which are no more than a 10-minute walk away.
Looking for the swiftest option? Take the DLR to Cutty Sark station, walk across the road, and you’re there. Alternatively, you can embark on an Uber Boat by Thames Clipper to Greenwich Pier or travel with a Southeastern train service from London Bridge or Charing Cross to Greenwich station.
Personally, I’ve done them all, and while the river boat is undoubtedly the most fun, the views from the DLR going through Canary Wharf never cease to impress me. Anyway, how you get to the market is ultimately up to you, and you should decide what suits your needs best.
Opening hours
Greenwich Market is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5:30 pm, including bank holidays.
Depending on what type of goods you’re looking to shop or if you’re simply there to explore, you should know that the stalls vary depending on the time of week.
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends are for arts and crafts.
- Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are for antiques and collectables.
Stalls and shops
The range of market stalls and shops sell everything from nifty hand-crafted gadgets to different kinds of fashion and jewellery. Oh, and if you’re into books, you might be interested in visiting Arte Roba’s Book Sanctuary which sells rare books and collectables — most of which are equally antique and vintage.
Also, for the foodies out there, don’t you worry. Greenwich Market is home to an amazing sample of street food from a plethora of cuisines: Bad Brownies, Brazillian Snacks, Mamma Mia, Oyster Brothers — the list goes on. No matter what type of food you’re craving, you can be almost certain of finding a vendor capable of satisfying your desires.
I could presumably go on all day about the various stalls and shops, so instead, I urge you to visit Greenwich Market’s shopping guide where all vendors are listed and introduced properly. Take notes of the ones that sound intriguing and prepare for your next visit to the market.
Jose from She Gets Around has also published a local’s guide to Greenwich Market, which I appreciatively recommend you check out for her favourite stalls and insightful tips.
Events
Curious what’s on? Greenwich Market occasionally hosts events, e.g. for Christmas and other holidays. Make sure you check regularly to stay in the loop.
Check out upcoming events at the market here!
Conclusive remarks
So, there you have it — my take on Greenwich Market. With plenty of nearby things to do, several ways of getting there, and a buzzing selection of stalls and shops, Greenwich Market is truly a must-visit whenever in Greenwich.
I hope I’ve enriched your mind with a new destination for the next time you happen to stop by London!
If you’ve made it this far, I’m grateful. Thank you for reading.
