Bottle Apostle

This great independent local bottle shop stocks an impressive selection of eclectic wines from around the world. Regular wine tasting events are hosted at the shop, but there are always 16 wines to sample at any time using the Enomatic tasting machines.

Columbia Road

Open every Sunday from ‘8am ‘til 3’ish’ this famous flower market fills this London street with colour with every type of flower imaginable from small bedding plants to trees. Columbia Road is also home to 60 independent shops selling everything from jewellery to vintage as well as art galleries, delis and restaurants.

New Spitalfields Market

This is the number one wholesale market in the UK offering a wide range of exotic fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 12am to 11am.

Queen’s Market

This historic street market is open seven days a week and specialises in African, African-Caribbean and Asian foods including fresh fruit and vegetables and herbs and spices. The market comprises 80 stalls and 60 local shops and also offers toys, flowers and household goods.

Roman Road Market

This lively street market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and is the place to go to pick up fashion and accessories at bargain prices. Super Saturday takes place every week throughout the summer and showcases the best in crafts, home and garden, antiques, food, fashion and books against a backdrop of street performers from jugglers to stilt-walkers. There is a Farmers Market on the first Saturday of every month.

Skinny Eric’s

This independently owned bike shop offers a hire service, repairs and a broad selection of bikes and accessories for sale.

The Ginger Pig

Established over 20 years ago, The Ginger Pig has built up an excellent reputation for its quality meats and ethical philosophy. The shop on Lauriston Road sells meat and poultry, pies and scotch eggs, hot sausage rolls and a range of 30 homemade chutneys including rhubarb and ginger jam and piccalilli.

The Stratford Centre

A popular shopping destination for stocking up on everyday essentials, this mall comprises 62 stores including WHSmith, New Look, Boots the Chemist, Sainsbury’s and H. Samuel, as well as a selection of fast-food outlets and coffee shop chains. There is also a market open Monday to Saturday.

Walthamstow Market

Walthamstow Market is the longest outdoor street market in Europe and sells an abundance of food, clothes and household goods. Numerous cafés and stalls serve up food to eat on the go with everything from Caribbean fare to pie and mash and jellied eels on offer.

Westfield Stratford City

This impressive urban shopping centre is one of the largest in Europe and has been a key feature in the regeneration of the local area.

Set over three floors, Westfield has become the go-to destination for shopping offering many of the popular designer and lifestyle brands from jewellery and fashion through to sportswear and home furnishings. Marks & Spencer and John Lewis are the centre’s two anchor stores, showcasing brands and ranges that are exclusive to Westfield. Such is the prestige of Westfield Stratford City that many brands have actively sought out retail space here. David’s Bridal, America’s leading wedding retailer, has opted to open its UK flagship store here, selling its vast range of affordable wedding gowns and occasion wear. It’s not just the shopping that makes Westfield such an exciting place to visit, dining out features highly here with an abundance of restaurants and cafés serving food from all four corners of the world. Restaurants are scattered throughout the site and a concentration of eateries can be found in the World Food Court and The Great Eastern Market.