East Street Market

There has been street trading in the Walworth area since the 16th Century, when farmers rested their livestock on Walworth Common before continuing to the city. During the Industrial Revolution, stalls lined the whole of the Walworth Road, but the market has only been officially running since 1880. In the 17th century, the area through which East Street now runs was rural fields and ‘common’ land where people could graze their animals. The area to the north was known as ‘Lock's Field’ and, in 1878, was described as little more than ‘a dreary swamp’. Conditions improved and by 1881 it was recorded as a site for gypsies to stay during the winter months. To the south was Walworth Common; a…

The market is open every day except Monday: Tuesday to Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 8am–6:30pm, Sunday 8am–2pm (though often is open until late afternoon). Saturday is the busiest day as the market consists of over 250 stalls including the weekly plant market. A small flea market operates on Sundays near Nursery Row Park towards the Old Kent Road side of East Street.