We're together forever and we're "Tougher Than Leather"

Today I visited Leather Lane Market near Chancery Lane and right in the heart of the City.

 In my little book this market is described as a lunch time market for office workers and this really shows  when you visit - plenty of stalls full of cheap suits and dresses alongside smart shoes. Apart from the clothes found here there is a bit of everything. Plenty of places to eat amongst flower, jewellery and DVD stalls but I was disappointed at the lack of leather present, seeing as the market is called this. I only saw one stall selling leather bags and I was so tempted to purchase a satchel bag for £40.. I thought it was too indulgent for this time of the week.

Although I was slightly disappointed with the lack of stalls here at 11am. I must admit the prices were super low if you were looking for a clothing bargain. I saw prom dress for £15 and day dresses for £5 - nothing caught my eye today though. There are also plenty of sizes for the same dress so you should be able to find something that fits.

Unlike other markets I've visited so far there also didn't seem to be much of a buzz here. The market traders weren't bantering with each other and there wasn't really much of an atmosphere which was sad. 

As my brother described it (he joined me for today) as 'nothing special' and I don't actually think it's aim is to be very unique. It just wants to be market serving an area where there are few and to provide goods at low prices. I did enjoy how the clothes were hanging like some sort of vegetation and it did feel a bit more real than the other markets I have visited so far. More London and less commercial.

There was this great coffee shop though which even if you didn't want to visit the market, you should just have a Cappuccino here because of the name. Made me smile.

Again this market has good transport links being slap bang in between Chancery Lane and Farringdon tube stations.

Monday - Friday: 10.30am - 2pm

Enjoy. XX

"Oranges and lemons" say the bells of St. Clement's

I know it has been over a week but I've been snowed under with what feels like thousands of essays. But this afternoon after a morning stint in the British Library I decided on the way home to have a browse of Borough Market.

Borough Market is one of Europe's leading food markets and I can definitely see why. The place is bustling and there are so many smells to smell and sights to see. I almost believe that if you needed any sort of fresh produce you could get it here. So many things that just aren't available in the local Tesco or Sainsburys. 

This market, unlike many other food markets, has not placed restrictions on where the food produce is from or the geographical distance from London. Although I don't necessarily agree with this unsustainablity the encouragement really does make for a much more relaxed, vibrant market which is just a nice place to wander and absorb on a weekday lunch time. Make sure you visit all the different areas - it is well signposted. 

Everything is so varied. A whole stall (Utobeer) dedicated to continental beers (600 varieties!!) which I haven't seen anywhere else in London, alongside grocers selling 20 mushroom varieties, when you would be fortunate to find 3 types in a supermarket (not that I like mushrooms). One stall even sells Ostrich meat and the popularity of this market has enabled the producers to sell for a profit which is always a good thing. The market is also home to the Monmouth Coffee Company which is regularly given the title of best coffee in London. 

All the stalls have one thing in common: TASTERS. It you want to try anything, even if you have no intention to buy the product, they are more than happy for you to try a niblet of  unusual cheese on a cocktail stick. The one major downside of the market is because it is so famous and loved they can charge rocket high prices. I didn't buy anything today but I remember when I first came to London I naively spend £3 on a melon!! Even if you don't spend any money it is still an enjoyable place to just mill around, in a great location next to Southwark Cathedral and the Globe pub, home to Bridget Jones. You also get a great close up view of the HUGE Shard. You may also recognise the market from a Spooks episode in the last series.

The closest tube station is London Bridge which also has plenty of bus connections. Check it out on a dull Saturday afternoon.

Thursday 11am-5pm

Friday 12pm-6pm

Saturday 9am-4pm

ENJOY. XX