A Living Piece of London’s History
If you’re looking for things to do in East London, make sure Old Spitalfields Market is high on your list. Just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, it’s one of London’s oldest markets — and one of the most dynamic. Today it’s packed with artisan makers, food stalls, and independent shops, but its story stretches back more than 800 years.
From Hospital Fields to Market Stalls
The name Spitalfields comes from “St. Mary Spital,” a priory and hospital founded in 1197 just outside the old City of London walls. The surrounding land became known as the hospital fields — or Spitalfields for short.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the area became mostly farmland. But by the 1600s, London was expanding rapidly, and Spitalfields began to transform once again.
The Birth of Spitalfields Market
Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, many displaced residents and immigrant workers, including French Huguenot silk weavers, settled in the area. They turned Spitalfields into a bustling weaving community, and with so many new residents, the need for a local market grew.
In 1682, King Charles II granted a royal charter allowing traders to sell “flesh, fowl, and roots” in Spitalfields — officially founding the market. What began as a humble collection of fruit and vegetable stalls soon became one of London’s busiest commercial hubs.
The Victorian Era and the Rise of Trade
By the 19th century, Spitalfields Market had evolved into a thriving wholesale fruit and vegetable market serving the whole of London’s East End. The elegant cast-iron and glass structures built in the Victorian period gave the market its signature look — one that’s still instantly recognizable today.
Carts clattered through the narrow streets at dawn, traders shouted over boxes of produce, and the air buzzed with energy. It was the heart of everyday East End life.
Reinvention for a New Century
By the late 20th century, Spitalfields’ wholesale trade had outgrown its city centre location. In 1991, the produce traders moved to a new site in Leyton, now called New Spitalfields Market. Rather than letting the old site decay, developers restored its beautiful architecture and reinvented it for a new generation.
Old Spitalfields Market Today
Now, Old Spitalfields Market is one of the best places to shop, eat, and explore in London. You’ll find everything from designer pop-ups and vintage treasures to street food from every corner of the world. The surrounding neighbourhood buzzes with creative energy — with Brick Lane, Shoreditch, and East London’s art scene all just steps away.
It’s a perfect blend of old and new — a market that’s been at the heart of London life for over three centuries, constantly evolving but never losing its character. Whether you’re here for the history, the food, or just a wander, Spitalfields Market captures the spirit of the East End like nowhere else.
Goodordering trades at spitalfields market every thursday selling cycling bags and accessories. pop by to say hi!
