The thrill of bagging bargains in London is so much more than a day out—it’s practically a competitive sport here. Some of my friends run half marathons for fun, while I speed-walk through vintage rails, mission down dim market aisles, and drag my long-suffering kids Finn and Odette around East End car boot sales. If you know where to look, London transforms from wallet-emptier to haven for deal-seekers. Newcomers and locals alike miss entire neighbourhoods bursting with affordable treasure, quirky pop-ups, and sample sales you’d never find with a basic Google search. I don’t care if you’ve lived here twenty years or just stepped off the train at Liverpool Street—there are always more secrets to snap up. Get ready to upgrade your wardrobe, stock your house, and find those ‘I can’t believe it was this cheap’ moments London hides so well.
Let’s start with *markets*, because in London, street markets are cultural institutions—not just places to buy food, but social hubs, deal-factory wonderlands, and pure entertainment for people-watchers. Camden Market is the poster child, sprawled out along Regent’s Canal, where bargain hunters can dig up everything from band tees (I still wear my £12 Nirvana find) to rare vinyl or handmade silver rings. Saturdays get packed, so come early if you want breathing room. Or skip the crowds entirely and go on a damp weekday morning when stallholders are chatty and prices quietly slide down. Camden isn’t just for teenagers, by the way—Finn found a second-hand Minecraft hoodie for six quid, still with tags.
If you’re hungry while you browse, Borough Market is a joy, mixing gourmet treats, fresh produce, and surprise bargains. Friday afternoons, as traders start packing up, you can haggle for boxes of fruit or pastries at cheerful markdowns. South of the river, Brixton Village Market remains a champion for foods under a fiver: fresh jerk chicken, samosas, vegan bakes. Don’t ignore the pop-up stalls for homemade bath bombs or quirky accessories. Try haggling—sometimes they throw in an extra bar just for smiling. For vintage, Brick Lane Market is legendary. The maze of second-hand clothes, indie designers, and bric-a-brac often means you have to dig through some duds. But with some deliberate rummaging, there’s always something special—leather satchels, retro games, even 1970s typewriters for a tenner.
And for the proper old-school feel, nothing beats Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. It’s open almost daily, but Saturdays are the jackpot for antiques and collectibles. Sure, you’ll see crowds of tourists snapping photos in front of the blue door from *Notting Hill*, but serious haggling still happens here. My neighbour scored a Victorian teapot for half the sticker price because she politely chatted up the vendor’s mum about cats. Don’t sleep on the Northcote Road Antiques Market in Battersea either. Locals flock for pre-loved homeware at real steals—no Instagram crowds, just proper Londoners in search of deals.
| Market | Best Day to Visit | What You'll Find |
|---|---|---|
| Camden Market | Weekdays, early morning | Vintage clothes, music, street food |
| Borough Market | Friday afternoon | Gourmet food, discounted produce |
| Brick Lane Market | Sunday | Retro clothes, indie brands, antiques |
| Portobello Road | Saturday | Antiques, collectibles, artisan goods |
If you love the idea of shopping like you’re using a cheat code, then outlet stores and sample sales are as addictive as a tube of Pringles. Outlets aren’t central, but for designer bargains, it’s worth hopping on the Overground or braving a drive. London Designer Outlet in Wembley is the biggest, packing discount racks from Calvin Klein, Levis, Nike and more. During end-of-season clear outs, it’s not odd to score shoes for 70% less than their West End tags. Pro-tip: go midweek at lunchtime to swerve the crowds and nab sizes before they get cherry-picked. Icon Outlet at The O2 is another solid bet if you’re south-east, with unexpected brands like Hackett, Paperchase, and Joules. Make a day of it—grab cheap eats, and if your kids are like mine, bribe them with a spin at the trampoline park nearby while you slip off for secret shopping.
Sample sales in London are less predictable, but absolute goldmines for the patient and persistent. These aren’t advertised with huge banners; you’ll find the best ones by following Instagram accounts like @LdnSampleSales or signing up for email lists with companies like The Music Room—who host pop-up events for labels like Stella McCartney and Reiss. Prices can drop as much as 80%, but timing is everything. First day, lines are wild—so bring headphones, coffee and a no-nonsense attitude. Final day, prices usually tank further but you’ll have less choice, so weigh your options. Some expert tips from my circle: bring cash, a tote bag, and wear leggings and a slim top so you can try stuff on fast over your clothes. Security and staff usually don’t mind, as there are rarely fitting rooms.
Outlet and sample season moves in waves—May, November, and late January often see the best events. Keep an eye on brand-specific social pages, especially for homeware and kids’ stuff. Last spring I scored a Le Creuset casserole dish for under £50 at a John Lewis pop-up because I’d joined their mailing list. Trust me, those little sign-ups pay off, literally. Some savvy Londoners even resell extra sample finds online, making their hobby a profitable sideline!
Charity shops in London have had a glow-up. Forget musty shelves and chipped mugs—now you're just as likely to find brand new Zara knits, barely-worn Doc Martens, or vintage Levi's for a song. The trick is to shop in neighbourhoods you wouldn’t expect. Yes, Chelsea and Marylebone have posh donations, but they’re picked over fast. For the stealth bargains, head to quieter suburbs. In Tooting, my friend Martine found a cashmere jumper for £4 (with a fiver in the pocket, honest). The British Red Cross, Fara, and Royal Trinity Hospice branches often display gems in the window. Plan your route and hop between several on one street—Balham and Muswell Hill are strongholds for fashion, while Crouch End gets fun kids’ bits.
Beyond charity shops, thrift stores like Rokit (in Camden and Brick Lane) or Beyond Retro (Dalston, Soho, Bethnal Green) are staples for stand-out style. Prices here are higher than Oxfam, but so is the curation: think sequined bomber jackets, bold 90s shirts, or themed rails for festivals. Most stores offer student discount or run regular promo codes if you ask at the till. For crafty types, The London Vintage Carpet Shop off Hackney Road stocks unique rugs and runners at quarter of high street prices—a real house-refresh trick for locals.
Car boots aren’t just countryside things. London hosts indoor and open-air versions every weekend—Wimbledon, Chiswick, and Capital Car Boot in Pimlico are the biggest. Here, patience is queen. Get there before 8am with a reusable carrier and cash (small notes, please). Kids love the treasure hunt vibe—Finn scored a box of Pokémon cards once, all for a pound. Sellers are usually open to haggling, especially before pack-up time. And the best bit: car boots are social affairs, with cake stalls, fry-up vans, and a sense of community you won’t get in Westfield. Bring change, and be prepared to charmingly argue about that vintage suitcase’s real value. On rainy days, check Facebook for smaller pop-up indoor car boot events, especially around school halls in Islington or Ealing.
Bargain shopping isn’t just for clothes—families in London get creative with everything from grocery bills to filling the toy box. For food, Lidl and Aldi have stormed the city, but many old-school Londoners still swear by smaller independents. Fruit and veg shops in Whitechapel, Dalston, and Lewisham often undercut supermarkets by miles. I once bagged a kilo of tomatoes for £1, while the local Sainsbury’s had them at triple the price—plus, sellers toss in freebies to regulars. Find your nearest Turkish or Polish supermarket (Yasar Halim and Polish Taste are favourites) for giant bags of pasta, cheese, and frozen dumplings—cheaper than big brand alternatives, with better taste too. A pro move: shop 30 minutes before closing at big Tesco or Marks & Spencer branches, when yellow sticker discounts appear across bakery, dairy, and even plants. Staff don’t mind if you hover politely with a basket.
For homeware and basics, Wilko had its moment before closures shook up the scene, but B&M, Home Bargains, and The Range remain go-tos. IKEA is of course the mothership, but try second-hand furniture depots like British Heart Foundation stores (their warehouse in Sutton is epic), or head to Freecycle and NextDoor—local Londoners regularly give away kids’ bunk beds or prams for free, need only to collect. Keep an eye out for monthly council-organised Give and Take days, especially in Hackney or Southwark, where you can show up, grab what you fancy for the house, and pay nothing at all.
Toys and books? Charity shops again deliver, but also check out The Works for discounted activity kits and art supplies. Skoob Books in Bloomsbury sometimes does fill-a-bag events—independent bookshops are still going strong, most running a clearance box out front on weekends. Clothes and shoes for growing kids are best found in supermarket sales (George at ASDA is unbeatable for uniform basics) or at the huge Outlets at Wembley. Don’t forget to download apps like Too Good To Go for late-night bakery and cafe bargains—bags of surprise treats from local Greggs or Pret for under £4 is my guilty secret every Wednesday.
So much of bargain hunting in London is about habit, routine, and a little bit of cheeky optimism. The more you ask, chat, and explore random alleys, the more the city opens up its secret sides—packed with affordable gems for anyone willing to look. Whether you’re searching for a Saturday treat, setting up a home, or simply competition-shopping with your mates, London rewards the persistent, playful, and patient. Next time you see a crowd by a market table or spot a ‘Closing Down’ sign, follow the buzz—you never know what you’ll discover for less than the price of a London pint.
