Living in Cloud Castle

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

London Markets

Jen says:
Weekend markets and flea markets are the highlights of every countries. Victoria Market in Melbourne, Chatuchak in Bangkok, Wu Fen Pu in Taipei just to name a few. They are my favourites in my travel. A MUST GO! Every markets feature the country's culture, handmade items which are interesting and unique.

In London, they have Petticoat Lane, Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Camden, Convent Garden, Portobello Road & Borough markets. Borough market was featured in my first entry.

Petticoat Lane is the oldest and probably the most famous of all London's street markets. It has a long history as a centre of the clothing trade and today sells cut-price clothing, fabrics and leather ware. A whole area is devoted to leather coats and jackets.
Feedback: Disappointed. It looked like the markets we have at the neighbourhood. Authenticity unknown and the clothes and bags are drenched in the rain. We were surprised to see illegal DVD vendors around this area and guess who is the culprit? The chinese! Tsskk..!

Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market are both near Liverpool Street. Brick Lane is home to bric-a-bracs, with countless stallholders and individuals selling anything and everything while Spitalfields holds over 250 stalls offering mainly quality clothes.
Feedback: Brick Lane is interesting and most of vendors are Asians. Clothes to my liking at an extravagant price. We had one of the only few comfort food at the market. Mixed of teriyaki chicken, sweet & sour chicken and curry chicken with steaming hot rice. Yummy! Warm feeling in the stomach to continue braving the cold weather.

Spitalfields Market is my favourite. There are contemporary and vintage fashion, music, bespoke children's toys, jewellery and accessories and interiors for the home. The market is surrounded by a host of independent boutiques, food shops and restaurants. Lots of things to see and be amused by. So many things to buy but so little money.

Camden has six busy open-air and indoor markets, each with its own distinctive flavour. Camden Stables Market is popular for its alternative fashion scene of vintage and retro clothing. Camden Lock has a wider assortment of goods on sale from arts and crafts, jewellery, and secondhand clothing. Camden Canal and Camden Buck Street Market offer clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories while Inverness Street Market houses souvenir and gift stalls, bars and restaurants. Camden’s Main Streets offer clothing, footwear, specialty shops, pubs, restaurants and music venues swinging until late at night.

Feedback: Disappointed again. Too hippy and retro for my liking. Retro stuff is reminiscing but I can't wear it without knowing who wore it. An interesting place to explore and discovered the number of people in dreadlocks. Cool as they carry it off well but dirty.

For all friends who are worried I was ill-treated, the following image will dismiss the myth. This is definitely not the only food I have eaten so far but just one of them photographed. This is traditional fish & chips and it is so good! Alvin may soon to be blogging that he is the victim. Haha. So Wee family hold your weapons.

Updates: Day trip to Canterbury and Bath coming up. Gone with the Wind Musical on Friday. Jamie Oliver's restaurant for lunch and moving to Berlin this Sunday.

[In one piece for 9 days]

Labels: London

spoke at : 8:34 PM