Brick Lane Market

Though Brick Lane Market is an entity (and attraction) in itself, the banner has grown to encompass a motley array of markets in and around the East End hotspot. Brick Lane Market proper is where to head for tools, household goods and bargain fruit and veg sold by the bowl. Vendors without a proper stall often line Brick Lane, their wares (dodgy old videos, broken dolls, CD players) set up on blankets. Bric-a-brac traders morph into indie clothes and accessories designers as you hit Backyard Market, housed in a warehouse building opposite Dray Walk. The building (which backs on to the 93 Feet East courtyard) is regularly commandeered in the summer months to host various foodie and arty festivals. Vying for attention, though frankly the biggest draw by far, is the Sunday UpMarket in the Old Truman Brewery. Here, you’ll find a buzzing mishmash of mopey students, bona fide locals and edgy attention seekers riffling through vintage stalls, quirky crafts by up-and-coming designers and stacks of old vinyl. If it all gets too much, artisan food stalls offer everything from dainty cupcakes to rich Ethiopian coffee, Japanese yakisoba, tapas and dim sum – a few of the stall-owners have lounging areas for customers too or kick back on a stoop in the Brewery’s adjacent outdoor space.