Roman Road Market (London)

...very suprised to see that Roman Road market wasn't listed amongst the London markets. Roman Road market or "The Roman" as it is affectionately know by the "Eastenders" is one of Londons best known markets. Its situated at the end of Roman Road, Bethnal Green, E2. Every Saturday people make a pilgrimage to the market, ladies used to literally dress for the occasion, infact some still do. Its actually worth walking down Roman Road ...
...walk from the beginning of Roman Road.


ROMAN NAILS
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One of my absolute favourite places on the way to the market is Roman Nails, if you want a gorgeous set of nails manicured within an inch of their lives this is the place!! They can make your own nails longer, manicure your nails, paint them in delicate shades or you can go the whole way and have them airbrushed with wild designs! I always ... more

THE ROMAN
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I was very suprised to see that Roman Road market wasn't listed amongst the London markets. Roman Road market or "The Roman" as it is affectionately know by the "Eastenders" is one of Londons best known markets. Its situated at the end of Roman Road, Bethnal Green, E2. Every Saturday people make a pilgrimage to the market, ladies used to literally dress for the occasion, infact some still do. Its actually worth walking down Roman Road to the market as there's lots of interesting shops along the way, its about a 15 minute walk from the beginning of Roman Road.

ROMAN NAILS
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One of my absolute favourite places on the way to the market is Roman Nails, if you want a gorgeous set of nails manicured within an inch of their lives this is the place!! They can make your own nails longer, manicure your nails, paint them in delicate shades or you can go the whole way and have them airbrushed with wild designs! I always used to wonder where all the East End ladies got their gorgeous nails done and now I know. The only warning I'd give is that on Saturdays they are horrendously busy, an appointment is a must, during the week they'll squeeze you in (they hate to turn anyone away!!). The staff are great!
Costs: full set of nail tips from £25 (which is very cheap if you know about these things!), manicure £10, airbrush £5-£18, pedicure £20-£30.
Phone: 0208 983 1495.

THE MARKET
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The Roman itself is a bustling market where you can buy anything from fruit and veg to clothing or jewellery. The majority of the stalls seem to be clothing, pretty much for anyone. The ladies tops started at literally £1 (a lot of the clothes are very cheap) and there was stall after stall of different styles (although you sometimes have stalls selling similar or the same items - useful if one runs out of your size!). I picked up a Wallis jacket for £15 (normally £50-£70 in Wallis). If you are young female in search of a wild clubbing outfit this is probably where you'll find it - there was glitter and glitz on display everywhere. If shoes are what you're looking for this is also the place!

The Eastenders are very style conscious and the market caters to this. The designer items available are the real thing and errrr shall we say what looks exactly like the real thing. Whilst I was there I bought a "Louis Vitton" handbag for £22 (complete with logo punched into the leather on the strap!), a "Louis Vitton" scarf for £3 and a "Fendi" purse for £10. I have to say they were very good value for the money.

ASHBY'S (YUM, YUM!!)
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Both sides of the market have shops running the full length. A couple of shops that must have a mention are - firstly my favourite "Ashby's" at 589 Roman Road. Ashby's is one shop in 2 halves, one half houses a butchers the other houses a delicatessen. If you are in Roman Road market please, please pop into Ashbys and if you don't buy anything else buy some of their lasagne, it is exactly like Mama would make! Its a real traditional Italian lasagne, they cut a solid piece when the serve it and it is delicious!!! There's a wide choice of dishes that they make then sell in the shop, plus various meats such as turkey and ham which they carve however you like, they are all sold by weight so you can buy as much or little as you want. They come served in sealed microwavable dishes ready to heat (or freeze). Some dishes change, usually there's about a dozen different dishes (plus salads), including the ones available every week such as ribs in bbq sauce, cauliflower and brocolli bake and the old favourites steak and kidney pudding and shepherds pie. You could pass all this off as home made (if you're feeling naughty) and no-one would know. If you're peckish they make great sandwiches. The staff are charming and helpful.

SOUTH MOLTON DRUG STORE
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The other shop that is worth a mention for the makeup addicts is the South Molton Drug store at 583 Roman Road. Its a haven for all sorts of makeup and particularly for nailvarnish (from under £1). Some items are sold at shop prices but a lot are very cheap, well worth browsing around for a bargain. There used to be a branch at South Molton Street which closed - a real shame.

WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY
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The East End has never been a healthy eating area and the Roman is no different, when you get hungry there's plenty of places to eat but with a tendency towards heavy on the calories!! If you want to be a real Eastender nip into G. Kelly pie and mash shop at 526 Roman Road, I'm unsure of current prices as I have to admit its not my favourite dish but it was around £2 ish for a big plate of food. G Kelly is one of the Eastends favourite purveyors or pie and mash (oh and eels!!).

CASH ONLY
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Final tip, take lots of cash, or at least your cheque book, stalls only deal in those 2 currencies and a lot of shops too!! No credit cards!! There is a Barclays cashpoint on the corner of Usher Road almost at the end of the market on the left incase you run out of cash (as I did!).

OPENING HOURS
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8am to 6pm, Tue, Thurs and Sat only.

HOW TO GET THERE
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The market runs from St. Stephen's Road to Parnell Road E3.
Easiest way is tube to Bethnal Green station, exit barriers and turn left (follow sign for Roman Road) up the steps and on the opposite side of the road a number 8 bus drops you at the market.

Try a bit of the real East End and bag a bargain!!
 

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