Sights of Old Spitalfield Market

Last weekend I visited one of my favourite London markets, Spitalfields. There has been a market at Spitalfields since 1638 when King Charles I granted a licence for root vegetables to be sold there and over the centuries it grew bigger and expanded. However as the 20th century progresses, it began to fall into disrepair and the produce originally sold there moved to a bigger and more modern establishment several miles away.

For a while it was possible that Spitalfields might be condemned and pulled down but happily in recent years,much investment and refurbishment has taken place meaning that the market like much of the surrounding area has become a thriving, trendy place to visit.

These days the market also has both chain restaurants and small boutique shops under its vast wrought iron frame. Each day of the week, a different market is held with different emphasis on clothing, furnishings, antiques and crafts. Each day has different traders and different visitors but always a lively vibe and lots to see.

Fancy some English scones, pastries or cakes to eat?

some days the clothing has more emphasis on India, Africa or the Far East. Happily for me this day there was plenty of hand made products from Central Asia

There was me wanting to bring one of these lamps home from Mostar in November and I find one here, of all places!

I'm going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life! — I’m going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life!

Plenty of jewlellry stalls too but i didnt thunk i shoukd take many photos of them!

Where did you get that hat? Anywhere thst sells top hats and bowler hsts is obviously hipper than where I live. There is also an umbrella shop and a walking stick shop nearby. Pretentious or cool?

Whilst you’re here, do have a look below at my new vigilante novel! Available on all formats and the perfect valentines gift for that tough girl or guy in your life!

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V1 Vixen is available on Kindle from Amazon UK for £3.99 and from Amazon USA for $4.99 and around the world too of course!

V1 Vixen is also available on iTunes, Kobo, Nook and all other electronic formats from all good retailers as well as on Paperback from Amazon UK for £8.50 and Amazon USA for $10.99 as well as all other Amazon sites and all good bookshops.

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By Stephen Liddell

I am a writer and traveller with a penchant for history and getting off the beaten track. With several books to my name including several #1 sellers. I also write environmental, travel and history articles for magazines as well as freelance work. I run my private tours company with one tour stated by the leading travel website as being with the #1 authentic London Experience. Recently I've appeared on BBC Radio and Bloomberg TV and am waiting on the filming of a ghost story on British TV. I run my own private UK tours company (Ye Olde England Tours) with small, private and totally customisable guided tours run by myself!

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