Ridley Road Food Market

I have lived in Hackney for over six years and was lucky enough to buy a flat with my partner about eighteen months ago that is within walking distance of Ridley Road in Dalston E8. I felt sure we had found a convenient location within the borough, nestled as we are between the gentrified attractions of Stoke Newington, Newington Green and London Fields, however I had not realised the joys that living in close proximity to the market would bring. Yes, I use the word joy with reference to Ridley Road market as I can honestly say a saunter through the highly eclectic mix of stalls never fails to lift my spirits, raise a chuckle or more often than not surprise the hell out ...

The drawback to many of London’s street markets is that they are only held on certain days. One notable exception to this is Ridley Road in Dalston, which is open every day of the week, so if you are in London for a short time and want to visit one of its many markets then consider coming here. What you will find is not some trendy art and crafts market, but a road mingling with people from every corner of the globe selling or buying provisions of every sort in a vast cultural melting pot. The first thing that hits you is the noise. Reggae competes with Arabic music, then as you move on segues into hymns from one of the stands selling bibles and other ...