Greenwich Market in London

A brief history of Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market was originally close to the Old Royal Naval College, a few minutes’ walk to the northeast. At first, it flourished but by the late 1760s, rents had to be slashed to discourage stallholders from leaving. In the 19th century, the market moved to where it is today and a roof was constructed. On an arch above the north entrance, there’s an inscription. It’s a quote from the Bible which reads, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight.”

In those days, Greenwich Hospital managed the market and collected rents. At that time, it was only held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It mostly sold food, plus glass and china. There were also slaughterhouses, later closed, and stables, which when redundant were used for storage. During further renovations in 1908, a steel and glass roof replaced a rotten wooden one.

After WWII, the market served wholesalers trading meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables but the place was in an advanced state of decline. Then came the 1980s, and with it the realisation that there was money to be made selling art and crafts instead. Camden Lock Market in North London had been transformed like this. Its success paved the way for Greenwich to do the same.

What are the highlights of Greenwich Market? 

Since then, Greenwich Market hasn’t looked back. Les Grayson, a stallholder who sells timepieces created the wooden ceiling clock which was installed to mark the 25^th anniversary of the craft market. On weekends especially, there’s a buzz about the place. That’s helped by a plethora of vintage shops, independent boutiques, tearooms and cafés. There’s a pub right at the heart of the market. The Coach and Horses has been serving traders and shoppers for over 200 years.

The flagstone floor was overhauled a few years ago and other improvements have been made which enhance the visitor experience whilst retaining a heritage vibe. Just outside the market in Fry’s Court, you’ll find a bronze sphere by local sculptor Michael Speller, unveiled in 2016. This 2.4-metre-tall work of art is made up of 210 connecting figures standing for sailors.

Good to know about Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market is well connected by public transport. The Emirates Airline cable car and the Tube’s Jubilee Line run as far as North Greenwich. From there, you can hop on a bus to reach the centre of Greenwich where you’ll find the market. The Docklands Light Railway connects the area to Docklands and the London Underground network. The nearest station to the market is Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, a few minutes’ walk away.

It’s also worth considering catching a Thames Clipper to Greenwich. These commuter boats shuttle up and down the river connecting Greenwich with visitor attractions such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. But you don’t need to step out of Greenwich if you’re looking for somewhere interesting to visit. Try the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, or Royal Observatory, all of which are close to Greenwich Market.