Putting the Market Back into Leadenhall

Leadenhall Market is reintroducing stallholders with a series of pop-up furniture, fashion, and craft markets that will occupy its cobbled stone walkways for eight weekends during the summer. This initiative, aptly named “Putting the Market Back into Leadenhall,” will transform the grand Victorian marketplace—built on the site of London’s original Roman forum—back to its roots as a trading ground. However, unlike its historical trade in meat, poultry, and game, the modern stalls will feature furniture, fashion, and crafts.

The exciting venture begins with the renowned Judy’s Vintage Furniture & Flea. This market offers furniture from the mid-century onwards, alongside fashion spanning from the twenties to the noughties. Judy and her team bring 20 years of experience in sourcing beautiful one-off pieces, each with its own story, at reasonable prices. Judy’s Vintage Furniture & Flea will be held monthly on Sundays, specifically on 26 May, 30 June, 28 July, and 25 August, from 12 – 5pm.

Complementing this nostalgic offering, Leadenhall Market will also welcome SoLo Craft Fair starting in June. This South London-based organization, run by makers for makers, is renowned for its unique handcrafted art, jewelry, home accessories, children’s toys, and more, all created by a pool of carefully-selected, talented crafters. SoLo’s first market at Leadenhall will be on 8 June, followed by 13 July, 10 August, and 14 September, with stalls open from 12 – 5pm.

To enhance the shopping experience, several restaurants, cafes, and bars within Leadenhall Market will also be open, providing food and drink to keep shoppers refreshed during their weekend spree.

In 2021, Leadenhall Market celebrated its 700th anniversary, although the site’s history as a marketplace dates back much further to at least 100 AD. Located in the heart of Roman Londinium, the market stands atop the remains of the Forum (market) and Basilica (courts). The first market named Leadenhall was recorded in 1321, when Sir Hugh Neville, the owner of what was then ‘The Manor of Leaden Hall,’ opened the grounds to tenants for trade, quickly making it a popular meeting place for poulterers. Since then, Leadenhall Market has been known for trading wool, leather, and cutlery, and has hosted festivals and events, even housing a chapel and school at one point.