Photo by Black Taxi Tours of London
Leadenhall Market is one of the City’s most beautiful and historic landmarks. Famous for its ornate Victorian architecture, colourful roof and atmospheric covered walkways, the market is well worth adding to any London sightseeing itinerary.
Located in the heart of the City of London, Leadenhall Market combines nearly 2,000 years of history with modern restaurants, bars and shops. It is also an easy stop to include when exploring some of London’s most famous attractions.
A London market with Roman origins
The history of Leadenhall Market stretches back to the Middle Ages, when a market was established here in the 14th century. But the site itself is much older. Archaeological evidence shows that it once formed part of the Roman city of Londinium, including the Roman Forum-Basilica.
Over the centuries, the market became an important centre for traders selling food and other goods. Its location in the heart of the City helped it survive and evolve as London grew around it.
The spectacular market visitors see today is largely Victorian. In 1881, architect Sir Horace Jones designed the famous covered market, replacing earlier structures with an elaborate combination of iron, glass and richly decorated features.
Look up at the Victorian architecture
One of the pleasures of visiting Leadenhall Market London is simply wandering through its arcades and looking at the architecture.
The market’s ornate ironwork, colourful roof and decorative details make it one of the most photogenic places in the City. It is particularly atmospheric when the daylight catches the glass roof.
And what about the goose?
Every historic London landmark needs a good story, and Leadenhall has one involving a rather memorable bird.
The market was once home to Old Tom, a goose that became something of a local celebrity. His story has survived into the modern era and is remembered through the market’s Great Leadenhall Market Goose Chase, held around Easter.
It is a wonderfully London-like anecdote: while merchants, businessmen and shoppers have been coming and going for centuries, one particularly characterful goose managed to earn a place in the market’s history.
What to do at Leadenhall Market
Today, visitors come to Leadenhall Market for much more than its history. The covered arcades contain restaurants, bars, cafés and shops, making it a convenient place to stop while exploring the City of London.
The market is also close to several major London attractions, including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England and the Tower of London, making it easy to combine with a wider sightseeing tour.
Film fans may also recognise Leadenhall Market as a filming location associated with Harry Potter, which has added another layer to its popularity with visitors.
Visiting Leadenhall Market
For travellers exploring central London, Leadenhall Market is an easy and enjoyable addition to a day of sightseeing. Its central location, striking architecture and unusual history mean you can experience it in a relatively short visit, while the surrounding City provides plenty of opportunities to continue exploring.
Whether you’re interested in London history, Victorian architecture, photography, Harry Potter filming locations or simply discovering atmospheric places away from the busiest tourist streets, Leadenhall Market offers a little of all of them.
See Leadenhall Market on a ‘Secret London’ or ‘Harry Potter London’ black cab tour!
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