One of the oldest markets in London, Leadenhall Market’s creation dates back to the 14th Century. Even before that, the site of the market was the central part of Roman London. Always a center for commerce, today the covered market mostly caters to food and flower shops and even has a magical connection. Its architecture is beautiful to behold and has been restored and enhanced over the years to ensure that it continues to be a major destination for shoppers and tourists alike. So what interesting facts can we find under its glass ceiling? In the shops and stalls that line its corridor? Read on.
And I Ran, I Ran so Far Away
During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Leadenhall Market was actually used for a portion of the marathon event. Runners in both the women’s and men’s marathon events entered the market through Whittington Avenue and left through Lime Street.
Magical Mystery Film
Parts of Leadenhall Market were used as Diagon Alley for the various Harry Potter films as well as the Leaky Cauldron. Though the storefront used for the Leaky Cauldron was empty at the time of filming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, it’s not occupied by an optician’s shop. Other films made there include Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, and Hereafter.
Making the List
Leadenhall Market is a Grade II listed building, having been added to the Statutory list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest in 1972. Grade II means that a building is of special interest and everything should be done to preserve it.
From Home to Market
In the 1300s when the market was founded, the building it belonged to was actually the manor of Sir Hugh Neville. Eventually, Lord Mayor Richard “Dick” Whittington (for whom Whittington Avenue was named) purchased the building for the city in 1411 after the area around it had long been used as a marketplace.
Leading Place of Commerce
The tronage of wool was actually determined at Leadenhall Market by the mid-15th Century, tronage being the duty paid for the weighing of course goods at market. This signified its importance in the city’s commerce.
Roman History
During Roman times, the Leadenhall area was a major part of the Roman settlement of Londonium. In 1803, the “most magnificent Roman tessellated pavement yet discovered in London” was found across the street from the East India Company building. It was 9 ½ feet below the street and depicted Bacchus riding a tiger with drinking cups, serpents, cornucopia, and more. Unfortunately, part of it had been destroyed to make room for a sewer. What remains was preserved by the British museum.
Last of His Kind
“Old Tom” was once a celebrated figure in Leadenhall Market. He was a gander who had managed to survive the slaughtering of 34,000 of his fellow geese. Inn keepers and shop owners would feed him. When he died in 1835 at the age of 38, he lay in state in the market and was buried there.
Architectural Wonder
The old market was demolished in 1881 to make way for a more Victorian building designed by Sir Horace Jones, who also built the Billingsgate and Smithfield markets. Like many buildings of the time (such as the Crystal Palace) it was rebuilt with wrought iron and glass.
Banking on a Pint
The nearby Counting House Pub has one of the most gorgeous interiors of any pub in the city. It was built in 1893 as a banking hall and still maintains many of its fixtures such as the marble walls, chandelier, and even a domed ceiling. It is perhaps the most elegant place to have a pint and having one there will certainly make you feel rich.
A Game of Cricket
Back in 1766, a major game of cricket took place between the poulterers and the butchers from the market for “a considerable sum of money and a fine whole lamb for supper”. The poulterers won, though no score could be found for the purposes of this article.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.
Wonderful. And a reminder to visit Leadenhall when in London this summer. Thank you.
Note: In Magical Mystery Film you may want to correct ‘not’ to ‘now’ in this sentence. ‘…it’s not occupied by an optician’s shop.’
As a child living in the city and attending school also within the square mile, I frequently accompanied my father on shopping trips to all the local markets, this began in the 1950’s it was delightful and Leadenhall made a big impression fine cheeses, game, hams bacon my father wore a bowler hat and carried staw bags and seemed to know all the shopkeepers experts and characters in the various markets albeit Leadenhall Smithfield or Billingsgate, for me it was a treat to help shop and in those years I remember how kindly the local shopkeepers were and appeared to love their jobs our local grocer Bareham &Mariage with Giant tins of every kind of biscuit fine teas and coffee, Maynards sweet shop where I remember sweet coming free from rationing the lovely funny family Levys greengrocers near broad street. The architecture was always impressive along with the history and finsbury circus was the park to play in after school in summer. I am glad that many of the beautiful and historic buildings have been restored and do hope that the current tendency to build ever taller buildings will not destroy the beauty of the many fine historical examples of magnificant architecture and craftsmanship within the city of London.
Thank you for your memories. I can almost feel what it was like to be there in that time as a child. The next time I go to London I will definitely visit this place.
also part of Harry Potter movies were filmed here 🙂
We here at P A Finlay. Builders have enjoyed undertaking the systematic restoration of the fabric and art work on these historic buildings over a 7 year phased plan
We are very proud of our association with this beautiful architectural treasure that retains its historical legacy but provides a central commercial and dining hub for this area of the City of London
Our own skilled staff together with restoration artists made these very successful and rewarding projects.
put it on my list for October.