Giant Tentacles, Monster Pen Pals and Spooky Walks: discover all creatures great and small this Halloween at Leadenhall Market.
With its centuries-old history, cobbled streets, magical starry ceilings, glowing lanterns and wrought iron structure, Leadenhall Market provides the perfect setting for a magical Halloween for all ages.
This year, expect to be greeted by six-metre tentacles bursting out of the market’s windows before becoming a pen pal with a Yeti, Gremlin, Dragon, Werewolf or Vampire, to then stocking up on broomstick pencils, thickest human snot and other monstrosities and as the day draws in, take a walk on the dark side of Leadenhall with a spooky guided tour…
Write a Letter to a Monster with new residents of the market; Hoxton Street Monster Supplies
Always wanted to Write a Letter to a Monster and receive a reply, just for you? Join Hoxton Street Monster Supplies on Monday 23rd October and Thursday 26th October 11.30am – 4.30pm and take the chance to use their Monster Mail service. Write your letter in store to become a penpal with a Yeti, Gremlin, Dragon, Werewolf or Vampire, and receive an original reply, posted directly to your home anywhere in the world before Christmas. This is a totally unique service, suitable for the young or young at heart, and so much more mischievous and gruesome than a letter to Santa! Bah Humbug!! There is a £10 donation per letter, with all proceeds going to children’s charity Ministry of Stories. Children must be accompanied by an adult and will receive a free pencil and monster mail sticker to take home.
For those unable to make the Monster Mail service days, fear not (or be very scared)! The store will be opening with extended hours for the scariest week of the year, from Monday 23rd October – Friday 3rd November from 11am-5pm. Stock-up on bespoke and everyday items for your life or afterlife with special Halloween products including a Monster Height Comparison Chart, invisible cat and official Death Certification.
Burials, Bombs and Fantastic Beasts walking tours
To close the day, the City of London guides are bringing back their Burials, Bombs and Fantastic Beasts walking tours every Wednesday from 11th October to 1st November from 6.30 – 8pm. Although Leadenhall Market itself dates back to 1321, there have been people living and working in this area since Roman times and the walks will explore some of their darker history – with witchcraft, murder and death at almost every turn.
Tickets need to be booked in advance and are available at the subsidised price of £7 (plus fees) here.
Leadenhall’s history goes back nearly 2000 years. It was built on the site of the Roman Basilica and Forum, and during the medieval period was a market selling meat, fish and herbs, continuing well into the 17th century, as a place where wool merchants baled and weighed wool – the source of the City of London’s wealth. It is now home to a range of boutique retailers, restaurants, cafes, wine bars and an award-winning pub, The Lamb Tavern.
Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.