Best Street Markets in Watford Rural

"It is located next to London bridge and is a renowned food and drink market filled with fresh produce and food to eat while you’re here. Whether you are looking for the latest food trends, inspiring ingredients or just something delicious to eat, you will find it on this market which has been around for over 1,000 years. Not only is the market a popular destination amongst London locals who do their weekly shopping here, but it’s also an interesting place if you’re on the hunt for fresh fish or meat, all sorts of different spices or exotic fruit to wow your dinner guests."

"Purveyors of Mauritian-inspired street food, Lovely Bunch of Coconuts do two things brilliantly – BBQ meats and biyranis. Free-range Welsh lamb and Norfolk chicken get top billing (have both if you’re feeling greedy), but the vegan biryani flavoured with citrussy lemon and coconut milk is also spot-on if you’re doing the plant-based thing. Chutneys and slaws are already loaded in the box, but other extras such as fresh grated coconut, dried chili flakes and crispy onions are available to add at your own discretion."

"If you did some advance research on the food scene in London, you probably heard that we have a lot of food markets around town. Borough Market is the most famous. It’s particularly known for fresh produce, but there are literally a hundred food stalls dotted around."

"Monday-Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday, 11am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm  Why go?. For dumplings you’ll be dreaming about for days. Launched by Nuno Mendes of London hotspot Chiltern Firehouse and nearby Taberna do Mercado, this recently-opened street food operation has, as you might expect from this savvy restauranteur, a pretty slick and streamlined feel."

"Amidst all the donut shops following the designerdonut trend, Crosstown Donuts qualifies as one of the best. With flavours ranging from sea salt caramel banana to creme brûlée, they really can do no wrong. Oh, and their donut-to-cream filling ratio makes every bite the right amount of messy and delicious."

"One of the few surviving Victorian Market Halls in London, Old Spitalfields Market (established in 1876) peddles antiques, food, clothing, collectable vinyl and bric-a-brac to a bustling crowd seven days a week. These are the antique market finds you should never pass up."

"With the cute shops and stunning flower stalls, it’s easy to see why Columbia Road Flower Market is one of the best places to take photos in London. The market takes place every Sunday and, while we don’t make it there often (Sundays are reserved for laziness in our household), we are always pleased when we do. Everyone at Columbia Road Flower Market will be photographing in the flowers, but try to catch a bit of what is going on behind the scenes as well, or a completed bouquet shot that highlights your personality."

"There is probably nowhere more atmospheric to browse for and buy flowers and plants than Columbia Road Flower Market. It is a heavenly Sunday market and where the locals shop to frilly up their homes – or you might just want to give someone a treat. If you are just in London for a visit and can’t take plants back home with you, it’s definitely worth a visit – even on the coldest, greyest days!"

"Get up early for the best selection at Columbia Road Flower Market. A street bursting with plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees, this market in London is a must-visit for its super-colourful displays and fragrant blooms. You can also pick up gardening accessories in this east London hotspot, and make sure to take home some of the gorgeous cut-flowers on offer."

"There are various themed markets held throughout the year at the Southbank Centre, but the most regular two are the food market and the book market. The food market offers up plenty of street food from around the world and tends to be a hit with people after a lunch on-the-go while visiting the area (which is home to iconic landmarks such as the London Eye), while bookworms are sure to find plenty of new wish list-worthy reads at the impressive book market with everything from classics to non-fiction. When to visit: The food market is open Fridays (12-8pm), Saturdays (11am-8pm) and Sundays (12-6pm), while the book market is open daily until 7pm."

"Another market for food lovers is set up across an outdoor space at Southbank Centre, with both street food and fresh produce to tempt passers-by. A trip to the market can be combined with further exploration of the Southbank Centre, which continually hosts cultural exhibitions and events. Southbank Centre Market: Friday Midday-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday and Monday Midday-6pm."

"The best thing about Southbank Centre Market is its location right by some of London’s major attractions and overlooking the Thames. If you’re booked on the London Eye or going to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on the right day, you can visit the market as an added bonus to your trip. There are two markets which focus on food and books."

"While Camden Market and Brick Lane may be more famous, Maltby Street Market comes out on top when it comes to proper street food. At this lively weekend market in the hip area of Bermondsey that lies hidden away beneath the railway arches, only those in the know spend their time eating here. Home to some of the best producers in town, the market prides itself on gourmet street food and fresh produce whether you’re looking for the city’s best badass brownies, Mozambique burgers, tender beef steaks, melt-in-your-mouth cheese, gyozas, coffee or baked goods - there’s even top-notch gin on the menu."

"Maltby Street Market is a hidden gem that opened in south London in 2010. The market space is a lot smaller than some of the others, which means that only the very best vendors are able to secure a place there. Also, photographers will love the picturesque location, so don’t forget your camera!"

"A small, vibrant market with a good range of quality street food stalls, food producers and cafes. Open: Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–4pmAddress: 41 Maltby St, London SE1 3PATransport: London Bridge tube/train station or Bermondsey tube stationmaltby.st"

"Portobello Road is the jewel in Notting Hill – the world’s largest antiques market has retained its sense of charm and friendliness, even as the surrounding area has scaled the ladder of exclusivity. The market, which wends its way along the sinuous Portobello Road is actually five interconnecting markets – with separate sections for fresh produce, clothing, second hand goods, household stuff, a flea market and antiques. The antiques section, always sizable, really comes into its own on Saturdays – cementing Portobello’s position as one of the go-to Saturday markets in London."

"If I haven’t yet convinced you that London is really, really into its gin – I present to you: The Distillery. This simply-named venue is basically a gin lover’s playground, offering up four enticing levels of gin-related debauchery and its own distillery producing Portobello Road gin. Amongst the fun there are multiple tasting spaces, including the oh-so-fancy Boardroom for group tastings."

"Just round the corner from the beautiful white houses of Notting Hill you will find the cute coloured houses of Portobello. Portobello is famous for its vintage and street food market, with the coloured houses coming up close after it. It’s not quite as fancy as Notting Hill with the white columns and houses, but if like me you love colourful places Portobello is a more fun photo location."

"Although famous for its jewellery, crafts and antique stalls, this 200-year-old covered market at the heart of Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site also does a good line in street food – on any given day you’ll find more than 40 pitches selling everything from artisan sarnies to Ethiopian veggie food. Da Fish Ting is renowned for its epic soft-shell crab burgers, Chuckling Wings specialises in crispy chicken coated in shards of ramen, while Brazilian Churros speaks for itself."

"If you want a little bit of everything from antiques to amazing food stalls, then definitely check out the eclectic Greenwich Market. The street food market is tucked to the side of the main market – a melange of tempting smells and colourful foods. Foodies shouldn’t miss Victus & Bibo (weekends only)."

"Greenwich Market is open 7 days a week and its location makes it one of the best for me. The romantic proximity to the banks of the Thames River attracts the tourist but the locals as well. If you are fans of good street food, crafts, and natural cosmetics, do not miss Greenwich Market."

"Whitecross Street Market is a friendly and scrumptious market that’s a favourite amongst hard working locals, and has been serving up delicious food for over 150 years. It’s still relatively unknown, tucked away behind The Barbican Centre, so the food here is unpretentious and on point. Don’t miss long-time favourite Ravello’s Italian for some authentic Italian eats."

"Dalston Food Market is an amazing little market located in an uber-trendy part of the city. The stalls in this area tend to be cheaper than those in some of the other markets, making this a budget-friendly option."

"Source: Photo by user Nils R. Barth used under PUBLIC DOMAIN. Up next, we have Whitecross Street Market located in central London. This is another market that’s one of London’s oldest."

"Another market in one of London’s more charming residential areas, Herne Hill Market is the kind of neighbourhood food market that everyone wishes they had on their doorstep. Part farmers market, part street food market, you can feast on a tasty dish or two and then pick up some local produce to bring home to cook too Herne Hill Market. Don’t miss the mouthwatering Indonesian street food of local favourite Enak Enak."

"If you’re looking for a quieter Sunday market, Herne Hill Farmers’ Market is the perfect place for a less “touristy” market. It is located in South London and is held every Sunday. The market is very lively and is truly independent in spirit with a local village atmosphere and unique shopping."

"Spend a Sunday strolling through Herne Hill Market, which is crammed full of foodie treats, both for eating on the spot and produce to take home, plus arts and crafts, all sourced from within 100 miles of Herne Hill. A proper local neighbourhood market!"

"This excellent branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum displays one of the best collections of childhood-related objects in the world. Kids are fascinated by the immense number of dolls, dolls’ houses through the ages, vintage board games, construction toys (Lego, Meccano), battery-powered robots and favourite toys from the 20th century, decade by decade. Action figures, teddy bears, puppets, magic lanterns and MicroMachines are among the highlights here."

"Funnily enough, the Museum of Childhood is actually first and foremost geared towards adults who want to relive their own childhoods, but don’t worry – they’ve planned ahead and know that many adults will be bringing their own children. For toddlers, there are interactive exhibits featuring toys and games at the Museum of Childhood, as well as drop-in activities including crafting and storytelling to get your toddler involved in some educational play."

"A treat for children of all ages, this East London outpost of the Victoria & Albert Museum—in an iron, glass, and brown-brick building…"

"Arguably London's most famous landmark, this clock tower rises above the Houses of Parliament, former site of the Palace of Westminster. Although the tower has long been called "Big Ben," that moniker actually belongs to the tower's largest bell, which weighs more than 13 tonnes. The tower itself is 320 feet high, and its four clock faces are each 23 feet across."

"Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament – Iconic Big Ben is the name of the bell in the giant clock tower at the end of the Houses of Parliament, where the UK Parliament meets. This iconic sight is best viewed from the Westminster Bridge or from the south side of the Thames."

"Now there are quite a few good places to get yummy ice cream in London, but I personally love to go super local. Enter Hackney Gelato. They produce their ice cream in Hackney, East London and it’s all handmade using Italian techniques."

"Restaurants Japanese Soho. As part of the funky, riotous Bone Daddies group, Shack-Fuyu likes to do things differently – and that includes serving a belt-bustingly generous Sunday brunch. In practice, that means a yuzu kosho bloody mary or a strawberry bellini on arrival, followed by a choice of Anglo-Asian small-plate dishes (burnt cauliflower with jalapeño salsa, crispy duck bun etc) and a single big dish (perhaps grilled salmon with chilli teriyaki) plus a dessert for the table."

"Another entry from Bone Daddies, Shackfuyu takes the idea of Japanese food as healthy and turns it on its head. Forget sushi, forget poke, Shackfuyu is East-West fusion for when you’re seriously hungry. Try the prawn toast okonomiyaki, octopus tacos, and the korean fried wings, and finish things off with their famed kinako french toast."