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AdviceTravel

Best of London: Broadway Market

written by Brenna Holeman November 1, 2013

Broadway Market 2

Broadway Market 3

As I’ve mentioned previously, I’d love to do more backyard blogging and writing about the incredible city that is London. One of the best cities on Earth, there is no shortage of restaurants to try, museums to visit, and neighbourhoods to wander through. In keeping with this, I’m starting a series here to highlight some of my personal favourites, the things I think make it so amazing to live here. I get a lot of emails asking for advice on visiting London, so hopefully this will help. To those not planning on being in London anytime soon, I hope that the articles will still be interesting and entertaining… and that maybe they’ll entice you to visit sooner rather than later!

Broadway Market 4

My absolute favourite thing to do on a Saturday in London is visit Broadway Market. Found along Regent’s Canal in East London, it’s where I buy all of my vegetables, cheese, bread, and other sundries for the week. I’m not alone; according to their website, 90% of people attending the market live nearby, and buy their weekly groceries (or at least a few treats) to bring home. And that’s what I love most about Broadway Market – the fact that it is so community based. It is small enough that you can get to know the stalls quickly, and that the vendors will start to recognize you. Nearly everything is local, organic, and freshly made, from the smoked salmon to the mushroom risotto to the red velvet cupcakes, and, whatever you fancy, you’ll be sure to find it here. Broadway Market isn’t just for food, either; vintage clothes and jewellery, used books and records, and tons of other knickknacks fill the stalls. It’s part food market, part craft market, but either way you’ll find something you’ll love.

Broadway Market 12

 The best risotto I’ve ever had, from Sporeboys 

Broadway Market 7

Broadway Market 1

What’s so fascinating to me is the history of this market, and of this neighbourhood. Broadway Market was established when a jellied eel shop, now F. Cooke’s Pie and Mash Shop, was opened over a hundred years ago. It soon turned into quite a flourishing market. Though it lost speed throughout the century, dwindling down to just a few stalls, the community banded together and reopened it in 2004. Since then, the neighbourhood has prospered again, bringing lots of new businesses and residents, including me – there’s nowhere else in London I’d rather live.

Broadway Market 6

Broadway Market 11

That being said, one of the ongoing debates about Broadway Market and the development it has procured is, of course, the issue of gentrification. Parts of East London used to be seen as a dangerous place to live, but more and more families and young professionals are moving in, replacing abandoned warehouses with upmarket apartment buildings. I can’t avoid this reality; it’s happening on my very street. I’m one of those young professionals, in fact. Around 40% of Hackney’s properties are social housing, and it will be interesting to watch what happens to this neighbourhood over the next decade.

Broadway Market 10

Broadway Market 9

At this point, however, I see Broadway Market as a very good thing for the area. It brings people together, brings people outdoors, and encourages people to purchase local, healthy food. It has helped to make the area safer and cleaner. It has made East London, and specifically Regent’s Canal, a beautiful place to be on a Saturday. Whether you’re here to sample the delicious food, catch some great live music, or just gawk at the locals, I highly recommend visiting Broadway Market. And if you see me, please say hello.

Broadway Market 16

After I bought my vegetables from this stall, the man insisted I have a purple carrot because it matched my dress

Broadway Market 15

Broadway Market 14

Details: The closest tube stop is Bethnal Green, though you can also easily get here from either Hoxton or Haggerston on the Overground. The market is generally open from 9-5, come rain or shine. If you plan on shopping, bring cash and some shopping bags (stalls do have bags, but it’s always good to bring your own, saving the planet and all that).

Broadway Market 5

Broadway Market 13

 Alyssa enjoying an amazing latte 

Broadway Market 8

Have you ever been to Broadway Market? If yes, did you enjoy it? If no, would you like to go? 

Best of LondonEnglandEuropeFoodLondonShopping and Markets
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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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24 comments

Natalie November 1, 2013 - 4:08 pm

Great post and great idea for a series – I look forward to seeing what else you write about! I too live in East London and the various markets were actually one of the big drawcards for me when I decided I’d like to live here.

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 1, 2013 - 4:21 pm

Oh nice! Isn’t this area the best? Thanks a lot for your comment – I’ll try to post as much as I can about London.

Reply
Adina | Gluten Free Travelette November 1, 2013 - 4:44 pm

London has been on my to-visit list for a long time now – so I’m really looking forward to hearing more about the city! I especially love hearing about markets!

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 3, 2013 - 2:06 pm

Yes, I’m sure you’d absolutely love it! London is a fantastic city.

Reply
Zalie November 2, 2013 - 2:32 pm

I can’t wait to go there with you!

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 3, 2013 - 2:05 pm

I can’t wait for that, either!

Reply
Helen November 6, 2013 - 8:58 pm

Ooh, I need to go!!! And the flower market! x

Reply
Amy November 7, 2013 - 9:44 am

Loving your London posts. Regretfully I never visited this market in all the years I lived in London – it looks great though. I stuck to Roman Road market when I lived in East London or Borough Market which was near my office. Occasionally I visited Portobello, Spitalfields and Greenwich markets too; they’re all brilliant. Love the fact that you’re holding an umbrella in that pic too – typical London drizzle!

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 7, 2013 - 12:04 pm

All the more reason for you to come back for a visit, right? I also love Borough Market; I was just there two weeks ago. Spitalfields is quite good, too, and I went to Greenwich market for the first time in April and loved it! I still haven’t been to Portobello since I moved here, I really must go. I remember going about a decade ago, so I think it’s time I made new memories.

I’m trying to prepare myself for the endless winter drizzle…

Reply
Alyssa November 7, 2013 - 10:03 pm

I’ve been there!! Obviously. haha

Great post! You forgot to mention the salads with flowers in them – I ate it when I got home. It was…interesting. Definitely more of a trend sort of thing – if only flowers tasted as good as they look!

Can’t wait to go there again!

Reply
Brenna Holeman November 8, 2013 - 2:27 pm

Yes, we’ll have to go back together! I had totally forgotten that you bought that flower salad…

Reply
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Reply
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[…] good friend Brenna talked about her beloved Broadway Market – which admittedly is quite great. Of course, Brick Lane (I accidentally typed ‘Brick […]

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[…] On weekends I stock up on lots of local fruit, vegetables, eggs, bread, and cheese from either Broadway Market or Borough Market, so I make a big breakfast to eat while I’m checking emails and social […]

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[…] Café: This one is also very near me, found on Broadway Market. As I go to Broadway Market every Saturday, I usually get my coffee and breakfast from the market itself; on other days, however, I go to the […]

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[…] End, and about one of my favourite ideas for a café (in East London’s Shoreditch) and about Broadway Market (in the East London borough of Hackney). And while I did write about London Cru and the Saatchi […]

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[…] met and the friends that I’ve made. And I still stand by every word of that post. From Broadway Market to Saatchi Gallery, to afternoon tea and early morning raves, I’m still very much in […]

Reply
Alex May 28, 2015 - 11:56 am

Broadway is my favourite market I’ve come across in London, and I love living a 5 minute walk from it 🙂 I’ve yet to take any pictures of it though so I enjoyed seeing yours! x

Reply

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

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This Battered Suitcase is not only about the where and the how of travel, it's about the who and the why.

Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

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