Leadenhall market - 'Gor blimey, it's a bit posh for a mahket!' (Leadenhall Market)

Member Name: libertybell

Product:	Leadenhall Market
Date:	06/05/01 (2345 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unspoilt, fascinating mix of shops, you won?t get wet

Disadvantages: Bit over the top for a market, some would say vulgar

Leadenhall Market is one of those little curiosities you run into by accident when wandering around the City of London - or it's recommended to you by a friend.

The building could be called a 'folly'. Yes it serves a purpose - it stops you from getting wet and sunburnt, but it's a bit over the top for a market. Yet the Victorians who built it were like this. They were keen to build grandiose structures and then guild the lily when applying the decoration (look at the Albert Memorial). They were after all rulers of the largest empire in the World and some people/organisations were making a great deal of money and wanted to flaunt it.

It's pretty easy to find. The easiest way is to take a Central line tube to Bank Station and follow the signs to the market (exit 7 from the tube and then Cornhill, across the junction with Bishopsgate into Leadenhall Street and then take a right before the Lloyds building).

Alternatively get off at Aldgate station (Circle/Metropolitan) and follow the brown signs down Leadenhall Street. It's in the area of the Lloyds building - itself an interesting building in its own right.

History
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There's been a market of one sort of another here since the 14th Century. The first one was located behind Nevill House in Leadenhall Street. In 1321, Poulterers came to trade and these were followed in 1397 by the Cheesemongers. The Corporation of London recognised its importance in 1411 when they granted the market a freehold.

The market continued to thrive throughout the centuries and some rebuilding was required as a result of the Fire of London in 1666.

The existing structure was designed by Horace Jones and built by the Corporation of London in 1881. It was refurbished by the Corporation in 1990.

The Shops
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Leadenall Market has more in common with Convent Garden than a traditional market such as Spitalfields or Billings
gate. Yet despite this, there are market stalls, which exist next to pubs and upmarket fashion shops.

A few of the more interesting shops include:

H.S. Linward and Sons - A fishmonger selling a variety of wet fish since 1883. On the day I visited you could purchase 2 large sea bass for £14 or a large Scotch salmon for £10.50. This prompts a question. How do you keep it cold in your London office during the afternoon and equally as important - how do you stop it smelling on the 1705 from Waterloo to Wimbledon? Perhaps I shouldn?t worry because it seemed to be doing a reasonable trade.

R.S. Ashby - A butcher and cheesemonger located next door to the Fish shop.

Other than the market stalls, you will find a selection of run of the mill shops including Oddbins, Body Shop, and the odd sandwich shop. There are also Jigsaw and Hobbs (ladies clothes shops).

Also located in the market are 2 pubs - the New moon (currently owned by Whitbread) and the Lamb Tavern (owned by Young's). The Lamb Tavern dates from 1780 and serves a cracking pint of special at £2.30. It's very popular with the office folk from nearby locations such as the Lloyds building who spill out of the pub onto the pavement. The pub has 4 floors, a Wine Bar in the basement, the main bar on the ground floor, a non-smoking area and a restaurant at the top. Snacks come in the form of hot roast pork or beef served in French bread. Highly recommended though I have never partaken!

On the corner of the Lamb Tavern is a shoeshine stall. Here for £2.50 they will polish your shoes to a level where you would be acceptable in the Army. It?s a nice indulgence once in a while.

The décor
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Leadenhall Market is very much in your face. Upon reaching it from Leadenhall Street, you are struck by the size of the structure and the elaborate use of materials - for what is basically a market. The main colour used is red or crimson, contrasted w
ith cream. I assume these are the Corporation's colours. There are many pillars, topped with the Corporation of London dragon in silver along the city's shield. Looking further up can be seen moulding of flowers, fruit and vegetables are carefully coloured in contrast to the heavy use of crimson.

To top it, there is a lavish use of gold leaf.

It is best to stand in the corner of the market and just look around. I can't really do it justice in words. My own personal web site has a Leadenhall Market page with a selection of pictures.

Horace the gander
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One of the history plaques recalls the life of one of Leadenhall Markets famous residents - Horace the gander. The story goes onto say that Horace was a popular goose not only with the market but also fellow female geese. He was looked after and fed by the market traders until his death in 1835 at the ripe old age of 38. He's buried behind the market. Geese can be pretty nasty when upset and I bet you never upset Horace without taking the consequences!

Other stuff
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Like most of the City of London, the market is busy during the week and practically dead at the weekends. It is pedestrianised with delivery vehicles excluded during the main hours.

Conclusion
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If you are in London and the area, it really is a 'must see' location. It is quite vulgar and over the top - but it's fascinating just to look at from outside as well as from within. The decoration and mouldings are of a high quality and need to examined.

The Market itself is fascinating because of the way the modern traders co-exist with the old. Its not a Convent Garden or a Hays Galleria - a true tourist resort nor is it a proper market. Its probably best described as facility for local office workers who visit at lunchtimes.

I think it's brilliant despite its faults and I recommend a visit for a
pint of Young's and a roast beef sandwich!

Summary: