Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane market is open on Sundays, and it's then when it's the most fun to visit (although the regular stores are open everyday, i think). On sundays the streets are lined with people hawking their second-hand stuff (some good bargains to be had if you look hard enough!) and buskers (some of whom are really talented!) Lots of Indian food restaurants nearby- it's an ethnic enclave after all!- the the special menus offer really good food at decent prices. (obviously, those restaurants which are full have better food than the empty ones!) there are also a wide variety of shops selling vintage clothes and accessories, as well as quirky stuff (t-shirts with adorable prints for example, cute hats, etc) the vibe here is really infectious and a LOT of fun.

you could combine a trip to Brick Lane market with a trip to Columbia Road flower market, Spitalfields market and Petticoat Lane market, as they are all in the same area. Start with the flower market as that one closes the earliest and it's apparently best if you catch that early (they open at 8am, close at 2pm), then work your way down to Petticoat Lane market from there. remember to do this on a SUNDAY! this will make for a brilliant, very interesting day out.