And, while the description “flea market” isn’t really used in the United Kingdom, London does have plenty of places that do that job — selling secondhand clothes and goods at cheap prices to reward those who are prepared to rummage!

Brushing up on London market lingo

Knowing a little bit of the language used in London markets will come in handy to treasure hunters. Bits of British vocabulary secondhand hunters should swot up on include “Car boot sales,” “jumble sales” and “bring and buys.” They’re all slightly different versions of the same thing, and, putting technicalities aside, they all indicate there are bargains to be found. It’s always worth trying for a bit of a haggle if you’re buying secondhand at a market. However, it doesn’t tend to result in such drastic reductions as it can do elsewhere in the world!

Market information

Because there’s so much choice across London, we’ve narrowed our cheapo flea market selections down to those found within Transport For London zones 1 and 2 and divided the guide into regions: West, East, North and South London.

West London

Portobello Market

Address: Portobello Rd & Golborne Rd
Train: Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove
When: Fridays & Saturdays

One of London’s most famous street markets, Portobello Market is also one of the biggest, stretching for about two miles down Portobello Road. Along the road, you’ll find around five different areas of the market — head to the northern end (near Ladbroke Grove tube) for secondhand clothes, while you’ll find the more expensive antique offerings closer to Notting Hill Gate. The market takes place every Friday and Saturday.

Local Tip: Visit on Friday to avoid some of the crowds and increase your chance of finding a bargain.

East London

Brick Lane Market

Address: Brick Lane
Train: Shoreditch High Street overground; Liverpool Street or Aldgate East tube
When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Head to Brick Lane Market on a Sunday and you’ll actually find a whole host of different markets. Along Brick Lane and surrounding streets, you’ll find the more flea market-style offerings, a range of secondhand clothes and goods. Head inside the Truman Brewery for more offerings — a dedicated vintage market takes place here on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while the much-loved Sunday (Up)Market is the place to look for up and coming designers while they’re still selling at affordable prices. Add to this great street food options and the whole visual spectacle of the area, and you have a great afternoon that won’t bust your wallet.

Old Spitafields Market. Photo: Craig Nelson

Old Spitalfields Market

Address: 109 Commercial St
Train: Shoreditch High Street overground or Liverpool Street tube
When: Everyday

Just under ten or so years ago, Old Spitalfields Market went under a serious redevelopment. It wasn’t without its controversy, as chain shops moved into spaces previously held by independent retailers. However, there are still some bargains to be found amongst the stalls of the market itself. It’s open 7 days a week with a different focus each day — vintage on a Thursday, for example, and record fairs every other Friday. Visit their website to find out what’s happening when.

Walking near Camden Lock Market. Photo: Craig Nelson

North London

Camden Market

Address: Camden High St
When: Everyday
Tube: Camden Town

With 100,000 visitors each weekend, Camden Market is the fourth most popular tourist attraction in London. It’s an undeniably fun place to visit, but you’ll find that most Londoners are sniffy about the quality of goods on offer — souvenir T-shirts tend to rule the day.

However, those after more flea market finds would be foolish to miss out on exploring the Stables Market section. Housed in and around a former stable and the railway viaducts, there are around 700 vintage traders here every weekend, selling everything from second-hand clocks to coats. And, despite its popularity, the prices are reasonable as well.

Camden Passage

Address: Camden Passage
Tube: Angel
When: Wednesday & Saturday (Main Market days)

Ignore its name – Camden Passage has nothing to do with Camden Market. It’s actually a very cute cobbled street, lined with independent sellers near the Angel tube stop. It’s a fun place to explore any day of the week. On Wednesday and Saturday, it gets even cuter with stalls selling affordable collectables.

Vintage jewelry at Bermondsey Antiques Market. Photo: Ungry Young Man

South London

Bermondsey Antiques Market

Address: Bermondsey Square
Train: London Bridge or Bermondsey Tube
When: Friday, 6 am to 2 pm

This long-running antiques and silver market is clustered on Bermondsey Square, but it’s worth having a wander down nearby streets for other secondhand shops. It’s not as high end as the name might suggest and the dealers are very knowledgeable, so it’s a good place to learn, even if you’re not going to buy. Bermondsey Antiques Market is open every Friday from an early bird 6 am until 2 pm, we recommend heading straight over to nearby Borough Market afterwards to reward yourself with some tasty (and equally good value) food.

Greenwich Market

Address: Greenwich Market
Train: Cutty Sark on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or Greenwich (DLR or overground rail)
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Greenwich’s charming covered market was established in 1787. You’ll need to visit Greenwich Market on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday if you’re after second-hand collectables — independent makers and designers sell their wares at the weekend.

A booth at the Greenwich Clocktower Market. Photo: Ben Sutherland

Greenwich Clocktower Market

Address: Greenwich High Rd
Train: Cutty Sark on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) or Greenwich (DLR or overground rail)
When: Saturday & Sunday

For more vintage and retro finds, head to the Clocktower Market that runs every Saturday and Sunday.

Deptford Market

Address: Deptford High St
Train: New Cross Overground or Deptford Bridge rail
When: Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Probably the least touched by tourists on this list, Deptford Market is also the place to go for real bargains. It takes place on Deptford High Street every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with a real mix of household goods, clothes and food. Douglas Way is where you’ll find the main second-hand section — you’ll need to get there early (it opens at 9 am each morning) and be prepared to work hard to find any real gems.

Battersea Car Boot

Address: Battersea Park Rd
Train: Battersea Park or Queenstown Road rail stations
When: Sunday

What’s a “Car boot”? Basically, it’s a kind of sale where goods are sold from the trunk of a car — the sellers are more likely to be regular people having a clear out than professional sellers and that makes for cheaper prices and more haggling opportunities. Battersea Car Boot, which takes place every Sunday afternoon, has an excellent reputation. It’ll cost you 50p to get in, but it’s known for the good quality items on offer — that could be anything that could fit inside a car!

Capital Carboot

Address: Lupus St
Tube: Pimlico
When: Sunday

Looking to pick up clothes on the cheap? The Capital Carboot is where to head. It was started by a fashion stylist, which perhaps accounts for the quality of the fashion on offer. It takes place in Pimlico every Sunday from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm and will cost you only £1 to get in.

The post London Shopping: A Guide to London flea markets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unfortunately, the area is fully aware of its own charms and has pushed the prices up accordingly. With members of the British royal family frequently photographed emerging from South Kensington’s pubs and clubs, it’s obviously never going to be the cheapest part of town. However, as a base, the location alone means you should save on some transport costs, and there are still some bargains to be had, if you follow our Cheapo guide.

The Meininger Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms in a great South Kensington setting. Phot by EuroCheapo.

Where to Stay

Meininger Hotel
65–67 Queen’s Gate SW7 5JS
Doubles from $121 to $152

Part of a small German chain, the Meininger takes all those Germanic clichés of efficiency and cleanliness and transfers them to a convenient location, just down the road from the magnificence of Hyde Park. The hotel offers both dorms and private rooms, with a mixture of private and shared bathrooms too.

Although perhaps lacking in some of the charms of a traditional B&B, that’s more than compensated for by the view in the rooms facing the Gothic splendour of the Natural History Museum.

easyHotel South Kensington
14 Lexham Gardens, W8 5JE
Doubles from $68 to $86

“A very small room” says the sign on the guest room door. And they’re not lying. The easyHotel makes no pretense to be anything other than what it is—a no frills hotel, with very small rooms, and with any extras coming at an additional cost. If you don’t begrudge paying for your breakfast, TV or Wi-Fi, on top of the basic super-cheapo room rate, the concept might appeal.

The hotel is housed within a gorgeous mansion, conveniently placed between Gloucester Road and Earls Court Tube stations, so at least you can aspire to South Kensington grandeur even if the size of the room and, thankfully, your bill say otherwise.

Where to Eat

Raison D’Etre
Bute Street SW7 3EX

Here’s a slightly crazy fact: In terms of population, London is actually the sixth largest French city in the world. And South Kensington, with both the Lycée Francais Charles De Gaulle and the French Institute, is sometimes known as “Petite France”. The aptly named Raison D’Etre is a charming sandwich shop that could almost convince you that you were in Paris, located down the road from a French bookshop and a rotisserie.

You’ll probably have to fight off a few of the Lycée students to get a table, but it’s worth it for this shop’s hearty range of ciabatta, baguettes and focaccia – all around £5 – with a dazzling range of fresh fillings. There’s great coffee too, all topped off by the café’s eager-to-please service.

La Cave à Fromage
24–25 Cromwell Place SW7 2LD

Yes, more to be thankful to the French for. You can’t miss this one, not least because of its powerful aroma. Just around the corner from the South Kensington Tube, La Cave is a mecca for fromage fans. Primarily a specialty cheese shop, there are also simple wooden tables and chairs for customers to relax and sample the wares.

At lunchtime (and also in the evenings if there’s not an event going on), they serve up huge platters of, yes, cheese, but also freshly baked bread, cured meats and specially selected wines. You can stagger out, fully sated by some of life’s finest things, for around £10.

Al Arez 2
128 Brompton Road SW3 1JD

It defies logic but one of the area’s best cheap eats is situated opposite Harrods, one of the world’s most expensive department stores. Al Arez 2 (the original is on Edgware Road) is a canteen-style Lebanese restaurant whose three floors are always packed with devoted fans. Everything is extremely reasonably priced: It’s a challenge to spend over £10, no matter how hungry you are.

The biggest bargain has to be the wraps, costing between £3.25 and £3.50 each, filled with delicious shawarma, falafel or spicy sausage. The wraps are available to take away, but eat in to enjoy all the bread, olives and baklava extras that are standard with service.

Where to Drink

The Queen’s Arms
30 Queens Gate Mews SW7 5QL

Given its charming back streets and hidden corners, drinking in South Kensington isn’t the delightful experience it should be. In fact, its pubs fall into two disappointing categories: either really expensive or dingy, or—in quite a few places—both.

The Queen’s Arms is probably the closest to pub perfection in the neighborhood. It isn’t particularly cheap but its pricing is reasonable and, set on the corner of a mews street, the building itself is charming. There’s a wide range of lagers, ales and ciders available, and a traditional range of meals too. In fact, it’s got just about everything you’d want from a boozer. If you are going to splash out for a pint anywhere in the area, your pound will bring you the most pleasure here.

Imperial College Union Bar
Prince Consort Road SW7 2AZ

South Kensington is also home to the campus of Imperial College and the cheapest drinks in the area. They have a couple of bars that cater to the demands of their students including Union Bar, a quaint wood-paneled bar, with real ales, the University’s tankard collection and a large grassy area to sit out in on a sunny day.

So why isn’t it swarming with bargain-hunting tourists? Well, it’s only open to members of the Imperial College Student Union, so you can’t just walk in off the street. However, visiting students from abroad are lucky enough to be able to become an Associate Member.  Membership is automatic for students at some American universities in London, such as the Boston University Academic Center, but any student can simply register at Imperial College reception to make the most of the cheapest catering facilities for miles around.

Museum Lates
Natural History Museum (last Friday of month), Science Museum (last Wednesday of month), V&A Museum (last Friday of month)

The attraction here isn’t the cheap booze (you’ll need to head out of South Kensington for that), rather it’s the unexpected extras. Each of the major, and already free, museums in the neighborhood offers its own late night event, attracting a younger, cooler crowd to the area. The museums stay open into the evening, and the galleries are given over to pop-up bars, as well as free music and events. With open-mics taking place next to the dinosaur skeletons in the Natural History Museum, screen-printing sessions at the Science Museum and live DJs at the Victoria & Albert, who needs to pay to head out to a nightclub?

Bonus: Charity Shops

With its affluent, well-heeled and well-read population, the charity shops around South Kensington offer some of the city’s best second-hand bargains, if you are prepared to rummage. Octavia and Trinity Hospice on Bute Street often contain catalogues from museum curators’ bookshelves and the nearby Christie’s auction house, while the British Red Cross on Old Church Street is stuffed full of famous names, whether that’s in the form of a Missoni jumper or a pair of Ferragamo shoes. It’s designer shopping without the guilt, or the hefty price tag, attached.

Want more?

Be sure to check out our Cheapo guide to Soho and feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Have a favorite spot in South Kensington to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

The post London: A Cheapo guide to South Kensington’s hotels, restaurants and bars appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.