Greenwich Market is fondly regarded as one of London’s best-covered markets. Filled with unique and distinctive arts and crafts, as well as multiple food vendors, the market is a place where customers can find gifts or a bite to eat. Customers have access to handcrafted jewelry, painted works, and clothing that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The vibrant atmosphere is created by the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the music being played from street performers in the nearby park, and the friendly service of the vendors. Any pedestrian will leave the market feeling refreshed, yet tired after browsing through the wonderful array of over 120 stands, stalls, and shops.
The market is open daily from Monday to Sunday during normal business hours. If a shopper enjoys their experience enough, certain spaces are available to use for events and receptions on Monday afternoons and evenings. Many shoppers praise the elegant cobbled stone floors that run through the market and the statuesque porch at the opposite end. Multiple walkways allow customers entrance into Greenwich market.
In particular, some of the stalls to be on the lookout for are Minnie’s Macaroon Table and the various painters who set up shop within the marketplace. Minnie’s sells homemade macaroons in flavors such as chocolate, cookies and cream, tiramisu, and lavender. Seasonal options are also available in peppermint, pumpkin, and gingerbread. The bakers at Minnie’s produce pastries, pies, and cakes too.
Greenwich is the favorite place of artists to showcase and sell their pieces to customers looking for paintings or drawings not found anywhere else. Each artist has a different style. Some paint rural scenes, while others simply splatter paint on the canvas. The sketch artists specialize in detailed works and prefer to draw animals or people. Either way, art collectors or creative consumers will have a diverse selection of pieces to peruse and browse.
Overall Greenwich Market, albeit a far trek from central London, is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. There are many shopping options available including clothing, jewelry, and purses. Artwork is always a staple and the food is cheap and delicious. Surrounding Greenwich is a beautiful park, full of children, families, and dogs. After a long day of shopping, visiting the park is a perfect way to end a delightful day.
- Emilie Booth
Though I also have to talk about Greenwich in another assignment, I felt it necessary to do a review on it as well because I genuinely believe there's something special about Greenwich. It truly feels like people love being there. I know this sounds like a rehash of similar observations, but Greenwich buzzes with this energy of people who enjoy simply being there. As you walk through the mid-sized market, you see the mix of a world heritage site and modern progress, postmodern art installations sitting atop old mossy cobblestone, worn by the weekend traffic. Though only open Saturdays and Sundays, it's obvious people make their most of their time there, and if you go, you should do the same. Step into every shop that looks interesting, try any free sample the vendors will happily give out. Take in the living history of the district by stopping in a pub that works with one of the oldest surviving breweries in Britain or see the multiple arches that border the market that are clearly older than the market itself. Greenwich has an obvious history built into the very veins of the market, and it sees no problem in celebrating this.
Another side bonus of Greenwich is the very area around it. There's plenty of shops that, similar to Portobello, are clearly preparing their businesses around the market and its traffic. The aboveground DLR tube is the main way out of Greenwich as well and is perhaps the best way to end a trip there; the sights of London out the window of the train.
- Marius Black
Sitting pretty on the banks of the Thames, and just a water taxi away from central London, Greenwich Market is one of the oldest standing markets in the city. Greenwich is a Royal Charter Market, originally assigned to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital in December of 1700 and by this decree may remain there for next 1,000 years. I’m not sure that by the year 2700 the monarchy will even remain, but by and large, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. In the early 1800s, the market was moved from its original grounds near the West Gate of the Old Royal Naval College to its current position, where the cobblestones from that move remain as the grounds beneath our feet today.
The market itself is a contradiction. I picked up a 20 pound 3x5 stuffed elephant, sitting cooly next to a five-pound sterling silver minimalist ring. I knew which should have been more expensive but the two vendors begged to differ. The entire market seemed to work this way; a customer could make their way through unreasonably expensive old people clothes branded as “vintage,” and remain just a few feet away from beautiful hand-painted ceramics or original works of art, miniature sculptures of crystal and jade, for pretty cheap. Greenwich market seems to be able to reconcile the thousand pound jewelers, selling custom engagement rings just on the outer rim of the five to ten-pound pop up food stalls; ranging from east African vegetarian dishes to the carb-filled wonder of Italian tortellini. Historically housed under the larger single-roof market space, the food stalls have since moved to a smaller enclosed area, leaving the main space with more room… for dessert. Underneath this roof were clothes, art, gifts/cards and so many sweets, from vegan cupcakes and pastries to a selection of homemade french macarons.
But what really has characterized this market for the modern day, however, were the dogs. There were so many dogs. What I’ve come to understand is that this market is more a social gathering for puppies and their owners, to eat good food and meet other French bulldogs, London’s choice breed. The art and old people clothes felt untouched (despite their cheapness), and their vendors looked bored. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was a Sunday, and people were busy relaxing their day away with their pug named Chewy. Maybe people just didn’t want to pay 20 pounds for a goddamned stuffed elephant.
Final Verdict: (I’m bitter about the elephant, but it’s)Worth it
- Mereysa Taylor
Greenwich Market. Come for the Mean Time, stay for the dogs. After all, you know what they say: the bigger the snout, the bigger the heart. Thus, the Number One Greenwich Market dog goes to the Borzoi, a lovely silvery-white breed reminiscent of Medieval paintings of unicorns. This dog’s elegant snout, long enough to smell food cooking three countries over, was pressed against the stall of The Carvery, a wonderful stall selling a collection of fine fresh and cured meats. Therefore, the borzoi takes the prize of Number One Greenwich Market dog.
In second place by a narrow margin is the charming wire-haired terrier, dressed for the day out in a handsome dark navy coat with brown fur trim. No, not his own fur, but a separate, and presumably faux, addition to the ensemble. This outfit matched perfectly with the coat of one of our Dog Judges, and the terrier looked perfectly snappish beside her as they walked in tandem past the 2 Quirky Birds jewelry stall. A lovely resin magpie necklace was purchased from the stall before the terrier made his way to the other end of the market. Truly a fashionable gentleman, and well deserving of the silver.
Taking the bronze is the Irish Wolfhound Colin, who was spotted stalking a squirrel a short distance from the market. Colin looked quite striking in a dark coat with four white socks, making him visible even from a far distance. However, his aged owner calling for Colin from atop a steep hill was what really made him stand out from the crowd. This hulking beast made a considerable impression on our judges, and so he rounds out our top three dogs of Greenwich Market.
- Kaley Whipple
Despite being a bit out of the way, Greenwich Market is worth visiting for both the market itself and the incredible views of London you can see in traveling there. A 45-minute riverboat ride down the Thames from Tower Pier, you can see all of the city’s greatest sights without leaving the warm comfort of the boat’s indoor area. Switch it up on the way back by taking the DLR and seeing the city from above on the overground railway.
Greenwich Market has a very “arts and crafts” vibe, with just about every stallholder selling something wonderful that they created themselves. There was a variety of handmade clothing, including headbands, knitted skirts, and crocheted and fur hats. Like some of the other larger markets, there were artists selling prints sketches and photographs, and even one man selling the original canvases of his beautiful London paintings.
The market also offered an impressive amount of food options. Dotted through the indoor area were snack stalls selling treats like macarons and different types of brownies. Just outside, there is a decent selection of stalls for lunch options, though as far as types of foods goes, it is pretty similar to most other markets. There are plenty of Asian fusion stands, German sausages, and other food from around the world.
The best and most pleasantly surprising part of Greenwich Market is the exceeding amount of dogs that are brought to the market by their owners. With Greenwich Park just a few blocks away, many people choose to include the market in their afternoon strolls, and though it is not socially acceptable to pet them, smiling at all of the happy dogs is enough to significantly enhance your market experience.
- Jamie Myre
The market is open daily from Monday to Sunday during normal business hours. If a shopper enjoys their experience enough, certain spaces are available to use for events and receptions on Monday afternoons and evenings. Many shoppers praise the elegant cobbled stone floors that run through the market and the statuesque porch at the opposite end. Multiple walkways allow customers entrance into Greenwich market.
In particular, some of the stalls to be on the lookout for are Minnie’s Macaroon Table and the various painters who set up shop within the marketplace. Minnie’s sells homemade macaroons in flavors such as chocolate, cookies and cream, tiramisu, and lavender. Seasonal options are also available in peppermint, pumpkin, and gingerbread. The bakers at Minnie’s produce pastries, pies, and cakes too.
Greenwich is the favorite place of artists to showcase and sell their pieces to customers looking for paintings or drawings not found anywhere else. Each artist has a different style. Some paint rural scenes, while others simply splatter paint on the canvas. The sketch artists specialize in detailed works and prefer to draw animals or people. Either way, art collectors or creative consumers will have a diverse selection of pieces to peruse and browse.
Overall Greenwich Market, albeit a far trek from central London, is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. There are many shopping options available including clothing, jewelry, and purses. Artwork is always a staple and the food is cheap and delicious. Surrounding Greenwich is a beautiful park, full of children, families, and dogs. After a long day of shopping, visiting the park is a perfect way to end a delightful day.
- Emilie Booth
Though I also have to talk about Greenwich in another assignment, I felt it necessary to do a review on it as well because I genuinely believe there's something special about Greenwich. It truly feels like people love being there. I know this sounds like a rehash of similar observations, but Greenwich buzzes with this energy of people who enjoy simply being there. As you walk through the mid-sized market, you see the mix of a world heritage site and modern progress, postmodern art installations sitting atop old mossy cobblestone, worn by the weekend traffic. Though only open Saturdays and Sundays, it's obvious people make their most of their time there, and if you go, you should do the same. Step into every shop that looks interesting, try any free sample the vendors will happily give out. Take in the living history of the district by stopping in a pub that works with one of the oldest surviving breweries in Britain or see the multiple arches that border the market that are clearly older than the market itself. Greenwich has an obvious history built into the very veins of the market, and it sees no problem in celebrating this.
Another side bonus of Greenwich is the very area around it. There's plenty of shops that, similar to Portobello, are clearly preparing their businesses around the market and its traffic. The aboveground DLR tube is the main way out of Greenwich as well and is perhaps the best way to end a trip there; the sights of London out the window of the train.
- Marius Black
Sitting pretty on the banks of the Thames, and just a water taxi away from central London, Greenwich Market is one of the oldest standing markets in the city. Greenwich is a Royal Charter Market, originally assigned to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital in December of 1700 and by this decree may remain there for next 1,000 years. I’m not sure that by the year 2700 the monarchy will even remain, but by and large, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. In the early 1800s, the market was moved from its original grounds near the West Gate of the Old Royal Naval College to its current position, where the cobblestones from that move remain as the grounds beneath our feet today.
The market itself is a contradiction. I picked up a 20 pound 3x5 stuffed elephant, sitting cooly next to a five-pound sterling silver minimalist ring. I knew which should have been more expensive but the two vendors begged to differ. The entire market seemed to work this way; a customer could make their way through unreasonably expensive old people clothes branded as “vintage,” and remain just a few feet away from beautiful hand-painted ceramics or original works of art, miniature sculptures of crystal and jade, for pretty cheap. Greenwich market seems to be able to reconcile the thousand pound jewelers, selling custom engagement rings just on the outer rim of the five to ten-pound pop up food stalls; ranging from east African vegetarian dishes to the carb-filled wonder of Italian tortellini. Historically housed under the larger single-roof market space, the food stalls have since moved to a smaller enclosed area, leaving the main space with more room… for dessert. Underneath this roof were clothes, art, gifts/cards and so many sweets, from vegan cupcakes and pastries to a selection of homemade french macarons.
But what really has characterized this market for the modern day, however, were the dogs. There were so many dogs. What I’ve come to understand is that this market is more a social gathering for puppies and their owners, to eat good food and meet other French bulldogs, London’s choice breed. The art and old people clothes felt untouched (despite their cheapness), and their vendors looked bored. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was a Sunday, and people were busy relaxing their day away with their pug named Chewy. Maybe people just didn’t want to pay 20 pounds for a goddamned stuffed elephant.
Final Verdict: (I’m bitter about the elephant, but it’s)Worth it
- Mereysa Taylor
Greenwich Market. Come for the Mean Time, stay for the dogs. After all, you know what they say: the bigger the snout, the bigger the heart. Thus, the Number One Greenwich Market dog goes to the Borzoi, a lovely silvery-white breed reminiscent of Medieval paintings of unicorns. This dog’s elegant snout, long enough to smell food cooking three countries over, was pressed against the stall of The Carvery, a wonderful stall selling a collection of fine fresh and cured meats. Therefore, the borzoi takes the prize of Number One Greenwich Market dog.
In second place by a narrow margin is the charming wire-haired terrier, dressed for the day out in a handsome dark navy coat with brown fur trim. No, not his own fur, but a separate, and presumably faux, addition to the ensemble. This outfit matched perfectly with the coat of one of our Dog Judges, and the terrier looked perfectly snappish beside her as they walked in tandem past the 2 Quirky Birds jewelry stall. A lovely resin magpie necklace was purchased from the stall before the terrier made his way to the other end of the market. Truly a fashionable gentleman, and well deserving of the silver.
Taking the bronze is the Irish Wolfhound Colin, who was spotted stalking a squirrel a short distance from the market. Colin looked quite striking in a dark coat with four white socks, making him visible even from a far distance. However, his aged owner calling for Colin from atop a steep hill was what really made him stand out from the crowd. This hulking beast made a considerable impression on our judges, and so he rounds out our top three dogs of Greenwich Market.
- Kaley Whipple
Despite being a bit out of the way, Greenwich Market is worth visiting for both the market itself and the incredible views of London you can see in traveling there. A 45-minute riverboat ride down the Thames from Tower Pier, you can see all of the city’s greatest sights without leaving the warm comfort of the boat’s indoor area. Switch it up on the way back by taking the DLR and seeing the city from above on the overground railway.
Greenwich Market has a very “arts and crafts” vibe, with just about every stallholder selling something wonderful that they created themselves. There was a variety of handmade clothing, including headbands, knitted skirts, and crocheted and fur hats. Like some of the other larger markets, there were artists selling prints sketches and photographs, and even one man selling the original canvases of his beautiful London paintings.
The market also offered an impressive amount of food options. Dotted through the indoor area were snack stalls selling treats like macarons and different types of brownies. Just outside, there is a decent selection of stalls for lunch options, though as far as types of foods goes, it is pretty similar to most other markets. There are plenty of Asian fusion stands, German sausages, and other food from around the world.
The best and most pleasantly surprising part of Greenwich Market is the exceeding amount of dogs that are brought to the market by their owners. With Greenwich Park just a few blocks away, many people choose to include the market in their afternoon strolls, and though it is not socially acceptable to pet them, smiling at all of the happy dogs is enough to significantly enhance your market experience.
- Jamie Myre