Antique shopping in London? These are the places you need to hit up.
We all love a good high street browse, but sometimes it’s nice to shop small and pick up a secondhand treasure.
Why do we love antique shopping so much? Let us explain.
First of all, it’s a more eco-friendly way of shopping as you’re extending a life cycle and, secondly, these items have far more sentimental value and are something you can pass down through generations to come.
No need for boring mass-produced items when you can find yourself a little gem.
And if that doesn’t win you over, then the fact that it’s often a lot cheaper to buy second-hand might. Unless you’re after a 4-carat diamond ring – that’ll cost you a pretty penny.
Ready? Let’s go bargain hunting.
Best Antique Shops in London
Alfies Antique Market
Looking for the best antique furniture shop in London? Alfies Antique Market is one of the most renowned spots in the capital and, as far as London antiques go, this is the gold cup of all shops.
The indoor market is located on Church Street in Lisson Grove. It houses over seventy-five dealers offering antiques including silver, furniture, jewellery, paintings, ceramics, glass and vintage clothing.
The prices vary but overall are fairly reasonable, and there’s even a rooftop cafe with some amazing tea and cakes.
Alfies Antique Market is huge, so take your time with it and you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for – or, most likely, what you’re not looking for but now need.
Farringdons Jewellery
Farringdon
Farringdons Jewellery is the best antique jewellery shop in London, stocking exceptional pieces from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras.
It’s family led and has a wonderful zero-pressure sales style and so much glorious and unique stock, you’ll be blown away.
They also offer resizing and polishing to make whatever ring you choose look like it was made for you. The staff truly love classic jewellery and you’ll be put at ease immediately.
It’s definitely worth a peek through the window if you’re after looking for antique jewellery in London.
Grays Antique Centre
Also known as Gray Antique Market, it’s a pretty special place to visit. The antique shop claims to have one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of antiques which, given a look inside, we can see why.
There’s something for everyone – antique furniture, jewellery, books and even vintage fashion.
There are over 100 specialist antique dealers split across two floors and each has some of the highest grade antiques you could imagine – no, it’s not cheap. These are in-the-know dealers who truly know what they’re talking about and what they’re selling.
The Junk Shop
Right by Greenwich tube station, you have The Junk Shop – a fabulous shop that is bigger on the inside than on the outside. You really will find everything there.
Rusty fireplaces, Edwardian children’s beds, skeleton pub signs, porcelain dogs, a collection of teapots and so much more. A lot of it might look like junk to some, but they’re great finds for others and that’s exactly the ethos behind The Junk Shop.
One word of advice is to go in there with hours to spend – you’ll leave with something you don’t need, that is for certain!
There’s also an amazing tea room at the back of the shop which is open every day from 10:30am serving homemade cakes, cream teas, tea and coffee. You can even enjoy these in the lovely sunny courtyard for some alfresco eating.
One of the best antique shopping experiences in London, we love it here and we know you will too.
New Caledonian Market
Also known as Bermondsey market, this incredible antique market is home to many local traders selling a huge mixture of antiques and collectibles.
Filled with jewellery, dinner sets, cutlery and some other stalls selling antique clothes., this is a great spot if you’re looking for an outdoors antique market in London.
So head down there on a Friday and have a look around the 15/20 stalls, in addition to a gallery where they sell everything from Victorian silverware to more contemporary gifts.
Town House
Spitalfields
Town House is a gallery and antique shop, located in an early eighteenth-century building opposite Hawksmoor’s church in Spitalfields.
The gallery specialises in 20th-century art between 1900 – 1960, and mainly British. If you check out their website you’ll find they do regular shows of contemporary artists and other events in the gallery.
They also have a really cute coffee shop downstairs and it’s the perfect little hideaway from busy Spitalfields. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time and rightfully so.
Golborne Road
Golborne Road is one of our favourite roads in London, regardless of the incredible antique market. Golborne Road is the real Notting Hill – it feels so authentic and from Friday through the weekend, incredible sellers lay out their antiques on the road.
Again, you never really know what you’ll find but you’ll definitely find something. It’s worth walking up and down the street a few times, asking for some prices and going back later on in the day.
Golborne road is made for haggling, the only issue is that the antiques are so incredible they also get snapped up quite quickly, so don’t ponder on it too long.
It’s worth checking out the rest of the Portobello Road as well, although slightly more touristy you’ll definitely find great antiques.
Camden Passage
Camden Passage is a picturesque cobbled street where cars can’t go down. It’s not actually in Camden but in Islington’s Angel and is arguably the most beautiful road in London.
It’s cute, it’s quirky and it’s also a great place to buy antiques. It runs biweekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, showcasing an eclectic mix of vintage and retro clothing, pictures, luggage, collectibles and various other bits and bobs.
You can also find independent antique shops around here such as Caroline Carrier or The Antique Paper Company. This is a great place to visit regardless of your antique needs as you’ll be able to see where parts of Wonder Woman and Killing Eve were filmed.
Greenwich Market
Greenwich
Greenwich Market has one of the best varieties of vintage, antique collectibles and food stalls open from Thursday to Sunday every week.
We’d say that Greenwich Market is one of the best places for collectors. The traders are friendly and will want to help you as much as they can. There’s a huge amount of rare antiques to be found.
The big sell of this market is how talented and hard-working the traders are, it really makes you appreciate their knowledge and dedication. The market has top-quality products and is a lovely day out for both adults and kids.
Antique Shopping in London: Practical Tips
- Check the weather if you’re going to an outdoor market, it’s much nicer in the sunshine.
- Have a budget in mind and stick to it – yes, that antique clock is very pretty, but it’s not worth sacrificing your dinner for!
