We visited Leadenhall Market mainly because of the locations featured in the Harry Potter films. But I’d go there again even without them.

The colourful Victorian roof, cobbled arcades and ornate shops create one of the prettiest corners of the City of London.

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Leadenhall Market is quite touristy and doesn’t feel as authentic as Borough Market. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s small, free to enter and lies just a few minutes’ walk from the free viewing points in the City.

• Admission: free and no booking required
• How long to allow: 20–40 minutes, longer if you visit a restaurant
• Main reasons to visit: architecture, photography and Harry Potter
• Best time for photos: in the morning or at the weekend
• Best time for the atmosphere: on a weekday around lunchtime and in the afternoon

Leadenhall Market and Harry Potter

Leadenhall Market featured in the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The covered arcades formed part of wizarding London, which Harry and Hagrid walked through on their way to Diagon Alley.

The most famous film location can be found in the narrow Bull’s Head Passage. The blue door of what is now an optician’s served as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron pub. Without knowing it’s there, you could easily walk right past it.

In subsequent films, the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron was also filmed elsewhere. In *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, it appeared on Stoney Street near Borough Market.

If Harry Potter is the main reason for your visit, a guided walking tour makes sense. The tour starts at the nearby Monument and, as well as Leadenhall Market, also takes in Borough Market, the Millennium Bridge, the area around St Paul’s Cathedral and Platform 9¾. The tour is conducted in English.

Architecture and the best spots for photos

The most beautiful part of the market lies at the junction of the main aisles beneath the richly decorated roof. It is here that the red, gold and green details, the shop windows and the glass roof really come into their own.

Take some more photos in Bull’s Head Passage, where you can capture the narrow alleyway and the blue doors made famous by Harry Potter.

If you want to avoid the crowds, come early in the morning or at the weekend. On a weekday around lunchtime, the market is much livelier, but it’s harder to take photos amongst the stalls and people.

Is Leadenhall Market any good for food?

Leadenhall Market isn’t your typical market with stalls and street food these days. You’ll mainly find restaurants, pubs, wine bars, cafés and a few shops there.

The offering is aimed at both tourists and staff from nearby offices. During the working week, the area therefore comes to life particularly at lunchtime and after work. Prices reflect its central London location.

Leadenhall Market is a lovely spot for a drink or lunch in beautiful surroundings. However, if you’re looking for a variety of street food, a wider selection and the atmosphere of a proper food market, we’d recommend Borough Market instead.

Opening hours and when to visit

The public arcades at Leadenhall Market are generally open 24 hours a day. Individual shops, restaurants and pubs have their own opening hours.

The best time to visit therefore depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your visit:

• mornings or weekends – fewer people and the best conditions for photography, but some establishments will be closed,
• a weekday between 12:00 and 14:00 – the liveliest atmosphere, but also the busiest,
• late afternoon on a weekday – restaurants and pubs are open and gradually filling up with office workers from the City.

A brief history

A market has been operating on this site since the 14th century. Originally, it was mainly a market for meat, poultry and game.

Leadenhall Market took on its present form in 1881. The iron framework, glass roof and ornate decoration were designed by the architect Horace Jones, who also contributed to the design of Tower Bridge and other London markets.

The current Leadenhall Market is therefore more of a historic shopping arcade with restaurants than a traditional food market.

Where to stay near Leadenhall Market

A more affordable option in the expensive City is the Motel One London–Tower Hill. The market, the Tower of London and several free viewing points are all within walking distance.

Right next to the market is the Club Quarters Hotel London City. It’s in an excellent location, but is usually more expensive than the Motel One.

We compare other neighbourhoods and more affordable hotels in the chapter ‘Where to stay in London’.

What to see in the area

There’s no need to plan a separate trip to Leadenhall Market. It’s best suited as a quick stop whilst walking through the City of London.

Within a 15-minute walk, you’ll find:

• Garden at 120 – a free rooftop viewing platform with no booking required,
• Sky Garden – a better-known free viewing platform requiring a booking,
• the Tower of London,
• Tower Bridge.

How to get to Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is situated in the pedestrian zone between Gracechurch Street and Lime Street.

• Monument – Circle and District lines, about a 4-minute walk
• Bank – Central, Northern and Waterloo & City lines, and DLR trains, about a 6-minute walk
• Fenchurch Street – railway station, about a 7-minute walk
• Buses – routes 21, 35, 47 and 141 stop on Gracechurch Street

For information on fares, card payments and practical advice on using buses, see the section on Transport in London.

You can find the latest list of businesses and events on the official Leadenhall Market website.

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