History and Modernity Meet in the Heart of the East End

The Robert Horner plaque above Spitalfields Market entrance.

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Old Spitalfields Market is situated right in the heart of London’s East End. Its streets are featured in the lore of London’s most famous and infamous inhabitants, including Charles Dickens and Jack the Ripper. St. Mary Spittel, an abbey and hospital established in 1197, once sat close to the market site before being demolished after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. It is from St. Mary’s that Spitalfields took its name.

Old Spitalfields Market 1947

Britain From Above

The historic and bustling covered market has been a hub for over 350 years. The market began on the site in 1666. At the time, the land, located just outside the city gates, had been used to graze cattle. King Charles II made the market official just after the Great Fire of London in September 1666. Operating on Thursdays and Saturdays in and around Spital Square, the market originally offered fresh produce.

Fruits and veggie stands are still a part of Old Spitalfields Market.

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The current incarnation of the market came about in 1876 after it was purchased by Robert Horner, a former market porter who is responsible for the current iron and glass roof. In the 1920s, the City of London bought it. Thankfully, the market survived the incessant bombing of the East End during WWII. Old Spitalfields Market has undergone refurbishment and rejuvenation over the years, transforming it into one of the capital’s most distinctive shopping, dining, and drinking venues.

Treasures abound in Old Spitalfields Market’s stalls.

The market hosts a diverse array of stalls featuring a dynamic selection of traders, craftsmen, artists, and artisans. Under its fabulous Victorian roof, it offers fashions, food, antiques, vintage items, and more. No matter what you seek, Old Spitalfields is the perfect venue for exploration and unique discoveries.

If you’d like to explore the Old Spitalfields Market with us, we are heading there as part of our Antique Adventures Tour of London and Wales from August 29 through September 5, 2024. Learn more about the tour and register here.

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