We Londoners sure do love mooching around a market, don’t we? And so I suppose it’s pretty darn convenient that the capital city is home to an abundance of them. From food, flowers, and fashion to books and bric-a-brac; we’ve got all bases covered here, really. But a particular favourite of ours can be found over in Marylebone in the form of Alfies Antiques.
This maze-like market full of twinkling treasures is tucked away inside a former art deco department store. Whilst Alfies will soon be celebrating its 50th birthday, stepping inside this arcade of antiques still manages to make you feel like you’re being let in on a secret. And as our name may suggest, that’s a feeling that we’re really rather fond of over on this little corner of the internet.
Alfies Antique Market
Let me start by giving you a bit of a backstory. In 1976, a man named Bennie Gray snapped up a semi-derelict department store in Marylebone, hoping to transform it into an unpretentious indoor antiques market. It was certainly an interesting choice of location if he was aiming for unpretentious. But it clearly worked pretty well, hey? The market – which Gray decided to name in honour of his father, Alfie – originally occupied just one floor of the hefty historic building. But now, 50 years later, the market spans all four floors of the former department store and vintage gems and antique treasures fill every nook and cranny of the 35,000 square-foot space.
Alfies Antique Market is now home to almost 100 vendors and dealers, but somehow still feels like a hidden gem. The eclectic emporium is – quite literally – bursting at the seams with unique items, and often spills out of the building and onto the pavement outside. You could quite easily spend an entire afternoon getting lost in this labyrinth of stalls and sellers, rummaging through the plethora of knick-knacks found inside. There’s furniture, jewellery, clothing, postcards, memorabilia – the list is truly endless. But when you inevitably need to refuel and rehydrate after an intense retail therapy sesh; Alfies also boasts a delightful rooftop café, serving up a whole host of refreshments alongside a pretty decent view across the city.
Attracting visitors from far and wide, Alfies has become a London landmark in its own right – and is unsurprisingly a favourite amongst interior designers and specialist collectors. The market also offers an array of services including tailoring, picture-framing, and jewellery repairs.
Alfie’s Antiques is open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10am – 6pm. Find out more and plan your visit here.
📍 13 – 25 Church Street, NW8 8DT.
🚇 Nearest station is Marylebone.
