Greenwich Market operates from Tuesday to Sunday and has about 120 stalls selling arts & crafts, antiques & collectables, clothing, curiosities, vintage items, some fresh produce and takeaway food (with a few tables) – something to suit everyone. Don’t overlook the shops around the periphery of the market – mainly arts and crafts in nature, as well.
As markets go it’s a rather yuppie affair and incredibly busy as weekends though this adds to the atmosphere. While not a yuppie myself, I do enjoy this covered market, especially during the winter – grab yourself a glass (or two) of hot mulled wine and go for a wander and if you’re lucky you might even come across some classical music performed by students from nearby Trinity College of Music. I do hope you don’t come across the rendition of Shakespeare (and generally I like Shakespeare) that I had the misfortune of having to endure as I enjoyed the artwork in nearby Queens House on a recent visit.
Greenwich Market is a Royal Charter Market with the Charter granted to Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital on the 19th December 1700 for 1,000 years.
The market was originally located on the site of the West Gate of the Old Royal Naval College though by the 1800s had spread into the surrounding dark alleys and streets. The whole area had become rather unsafe so as part of a general clean-up of the Thames bank area the market was moved a few blocks to the west and its current location.
By the 1830s the new market contained traders selling live and dead meat, fish, eggs, butter, poultry, fruit and vegetables. It is this, rather than its current arts and crafts offering, that explains the biblical quotation over the College Approach arch – Proverbs Chapter 11 verse 1:
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight”
This early version of the market came replete with slaughterhouses for cattle and stables for horses. In 1905 the slaughterhouses were closed and the market bye-laws changed to enabling trading six days a week (Monday – Saturday). I am not sure when Monday was replaced by Sunday.
Over the 1900s produce trade declined and by the mid-eighties action was required action to save the markets. In 1985 produce gave way to arts and crafts and the markets you see today began (based on – and perhaps surpassing if you prefer a smaller market – the successful model at Camden Lock). The cobbled pavement remains.
Opening Times
Tuesday through to Sunday 10AM-5.30PM
Located a short walk from the Cutty Sark DLR with entrances on all four sides from College Approach, King William Walk, Nelson Road and Greenwich Church Street.
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on many trips to London. I suggest you continue with my next entry – The Hunterian Museum – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – London…as much of life as the world can show.
The Rambling Wombat 
Thank you for documenting the proverbs quotation sign in Greenwich market – I used to live in Greenwich.
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Thank you for dropping in Richard
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