To Market to market!

My kind of neighborhood

My last true weekend in London and to market I went!

I can't imagine a better way to spend my Saturday then perusing the legendary Portabello Road and Borough markets.

Karen and I began our adventures on the drizzly morning at Notting Hill Gate tube station, we followed the crowds and then dove head first into the stalls that were scattered all about the streets of bright and colorful houses. Simply marvelous, I was fortunate enough to spot my future home as well.

Perfect isn't it?

I adored this market, besides using all my self control not to go crazy in the lux boutiques, I was finally able to find appropriate gifts for my mom and sister. Portabello market is as if your grandmother dumped out all of the hidden treasures, vintage clothes and oddities from her attic and put it into stalls with cheeky salespeople. This market could easily be your downfall in visiting London, go once and you will find yourself trying to pack a giant antique garden gnome.

I'll take it all

Notting Hill is a very ritzy neighborhood but this market gives it a more earthy feel and us mortals can feel as though we belong within the cheery yet obscenely expensive society. I couldn't help but snatch up some earrings, a burrito and gourmet fudge along the way, shopping makes you hungry!

Next on to the Borough Market near London Bridge. This spot came recommended to me from my dear friend and experienced Londoner, Sam. She told me that, " it is a food market you will literally shit your pants over". Too true Sam. I seriously entered my nirvana at the Borough market, stall after stall offered cheeses, fruits, pastries, ostrich meat and ciders that made me never want to leave.

Since 1014 there has always been a recorded market near London Bridge and in the 13th century the market was relocated to Borough High Street and remained there ever since!

I was distracted by the food but that kind of history just couldn't be ignored, I really got taken away by what a different type of market it must have been like so long ago, there probably wasn't a lot of variety and definitely no turkish delight or cupcake stands, food has changed so much over time.

I bought a sweet and tangy orange juice to sip as I strolled through one of my new favorite spots in London. There are barely any tourists, because this was and still is hallowed ground for true foodies and I have never felt so comfortable. After nibbling at cheeses, Karen and I got two raspberry and lemon curd tarts to go and went home content and full of some of the best food in the world.

The church of om nom