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Portobello Road Antiques Market

Well known from the Julia Roberts film, Notting Hill, this infamous Saturday market winds through Portobello Road with hundreds of dealers offering everything from fine sterling silver to knickknacks. If you’re looking for higher end fine antiques, this is a good place to start – go early on Saturday, as it gets so crowded in the afternoon you can barely move!

It's become very well known through the years, but it's fun to see what all the fuss is about! Well worth a visit.

Bermondsey Market

Friday mornings before dawn take a taxi to this market, as it’s a bit of a hike from the nearest Tube stop. Great selection, particularly of silver, get there early as vendors usually take down their stands around noon.

My favorite purchase there was a Chinese silk embroidered piano shawl – the dealer was packing when I asked to see it – she tossed it at me and said 40 pounds and its yours, I bought it without even taking a closer look as it was starting to rain. When I was finely able to spread it out at the hotel, I was thrilled to see it in perfect condition! After the market, take a walk along Tower Bridge Road and pop into the many antique shops. Have lunch along the Thames.

Alfies Antiques Warehouse

Housed in a great Art Deco building, Alfies has nearly 100 dealers and is well-known for their 20th Century design stalls. Open Tuesday through Saturday. I found a great piece of American Art pottery tucked away here, it was unmarked so I only paid US $25 for it!

Camden Passage

This small antiques market has a varied Victorian selection of silverware, prints, jewelry, toys and period clothes. My favorite place to browse around, with several restaurants in the area. Many of the smaller shops and stalls are open only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I passed up a chance to buy an 18th Century pair of men’s shoes in near perfect condition for under $200 here years ago, and have regretted it ever since.

London Silver Vaults

Home to some of the finest silver dealers in the country, the London Silver Vaults date back to the 19th Century and it is literally an underground vault containing over 30 silver dealers, some offering museum quality pieces. This was originally the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit where silver dealers and jewelers from nearby Hatton Garden stored their goods overnight. Gradually they began to sell their goods to the public from these premises, and the London Silver Vaults came into existence. If you are a serious silver buyer, this is a must-visit.

Antiquarius Antiques

A well known antiques centre with over 100 dealers offering mostly smaller items, it's open Monday through Saturday, but go soon, as there are rumors this may one day be turned in to a large clothing store, but dealers are standing firm in their quest to keep their landmark building as it stands.

Grays Antiques Market

Housed in a 19th Century plumbing factory and open Monday through Friday, this indoor location has over 150 dealers and is well known for their jewelry offerings. I purchased the sweetest Victorian carved cameo the first time I went there for under $50, they have some wonderful costume jewelry as well.

The Old Cinema

One of the few antique locations known for selling furniture – probably because space is at such a premium in London, its a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, rooms and mini shops offering an amazing collection of everything old and antique that you may want to buy, and its open 7 days a week.

Covent Garden Market

Covent Garden Antique Market takes place every Monday in the Jubilee Hall and boasts an array of antique items as well as porcelain, china and jewelry. I can easily spend the entire day here – it’s filled with shops and restaurants and has a wonderful atmosphere even when the market isn't going on, as there's also an arts and crafts market and more activities offered.

Kensington Church Street

This historic street is right next to Kensington Palace and Gardens, and is home to over 50 Antique Dealers who offer quality selections of art and antiques – upscale area and upscale dealers with quality merchandise.

Several nice pubs in the area as well!

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