London’s love of second-hand shopping and thrifting is no secret. Local markets across the city almost always have at least one vendor selling second-hand finds, and dedicated thrifting events seem to take place every weekend. The latest entrant to the scene is a new weekend-long flea market from Go East Vintage in a historic venue.
Running from March 7-8, the flea market will take over the iconic Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. And it’s much more than just a chance to do some shopping, it’s also a rare chance to take a look inside the power station, which has been closed to the public for 13 years.
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station
The power station was once an integral part of the network that powered Victorian London. Built in 1890, it was in operation until 1977 and “provided the energy to rotate the stages of the London Palladium, lift the curtains at the Royal Opera House, and even open the massive gates of the Thames docks.” When it closed, it was the last working station of its kind in the world.
And now, the new flea market will breathe new life into the venue. As visitors explore a curated selection of vintage homeware, furniture, and fashion, they can marvel at the site’s original 1950s pumps and towering accumulator columns.
Tickets start at just £2 (plus a ticket fee), or £5 for early access to the market. You know, in case you want to be sure you leave with the best finds before anyone else spots them. Do note: the event’s indoor capacity is limited to 250 people at a time. This is due to the building’s historic nature. And since this is a special chance to look inside the building, it’s sure to be a popular event – so secure those tickets early!
Go East Vintage
Go East Vintage is renowned for hosting brilliant flea markets in stunning locations. Other markets take place at a disused bus depot in Hackney and a converted warehouse in Bermondsey. Instead of simply rocking up to a large empty space with a bunch of traders, they host them in buildings with storied pasts. In doing so, they connect the history of the goods you can purchase with the history of the city and the buildings around us.
“Trends expire, but stories don’t,” says the team at Go East Vintage. “To bring our vintage community into a space as storied and atmospheric as Wapping Power Station is the perfect backdrop for what we do. Whether you’re hunting for a rare armchair or a velvet blazer from the 70s, it’s about the experience of discovery in a building that literally moved the city.”
Grab tickets for the Go East Vintage weekender at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station here.
📍 Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, 25 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SF. The nearest stations are Wapping and Shadwell.