In the London Borough of Waltham Forest you can find the longest outdoor street market in Europe, spanning a kilometre of the High Street. I decided to take a look at it to see what it has to offer, and I was surprised with its impressive range of goods at great prices.
From food, clothes, and household items to cafes serving tasty treats, Walthamstow Market has it all. Expect to find everything from Caribbean curried goat to traditional Cockney pie and mash, and even jellied eels.
My visit began with some morning fruit and vegetable shopping. To my surprise, I got a box of strawberries for only £1, something I never expected to find in London!
Unlike other markets I’ve been where produce does not have much flavour, these strawberries were fresh and sweet. The atmosphere was really lively because of vendors loudly advertising their best deals, some even using microphones to attract customers.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was that, even though I visited on a Thursday, the market was bustling with locals doing their daily shopping instead of heading to supermarkets. Walthamstow Market is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 8am to 5pm (extended to 5.30pm on Saturdays).
Along the market you can find all kinds of household products, ranging from kitchen utensils and cleaning supplies to flowers and kids’ toys. Each stall had a specific focus, with one, for instance, dedicated to crystals and another to crisps and biscuits.
After exploring the market, I grabbed some lunch. Although the rainy weather limited the number of outdoor food stalls, you can still enjoy a variety of options from the local businesses along the High Street, ranging from kebabs to Jamaican patties, inside their shops.
I opted for a falafel wrap from a Lebanese stall, where the friendly owner let me sample a falafel before I ordered. When he ran out of smaller wraps, he kindly gave me a large one for the price of a small one.
I highly recommend his stall due to his generosity. He even added some halloumi to my wrap at no extra charge, and both the falafel and halloumi were delicious and not greasy at all. This experience truly captured the warm, community spirit of the market.
The most interesting aspect of the market is how street art adorns many buildings along the High Street, and they tell the market’s history. A map in the middle of the street highlights all the art work, adding an artistic touch to the shopping experience.
One piece featured Larry Goldstein, a vendor who sold teddy bears at the market for 30 years. Although I did not see him personally during my visit, his legacy lives on through the market’s vibrant history.
Walthamstow Market is a must-visit for its affordable prices, diverse goods, historical significance, and friendly vendors. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, it’s worth exploring this lively market.
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