Why Shepherd's Bush Market Is One Of London's Best Kept Secrets

This is a sponsored article on behalf of Shepherd's Bush Market.

When Steve Jones, of Sex Pistols fame, revisited his old stomping ground of Shepherd's Bush Market in 2008, he described it as "coming down memory lane".

Back in the seventies, Jones and his bandmates would head down Uxbridge Road to buy tonic suits at a tenner each at Stuarts. Nearly half a century later, Stuarts is still open for business. That's part of what makes Shepherd's Bush Market so special — the endurance of its traders gives the market a distinctly old-school vibe that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, whether you've visited the market before or not.

Wander down today and you're greeted with an eclectic mix of stall holders selling everything from fabric to falafel to exotic fruit and veggies (think dragon fruit, white yams, eddoes, plus all the usual produce you'd pick up during your weekly shop). Some traders have been here for generations. Others are more recent, having joined the Shepherd's Bush Market fold to offer something completely new.

Take Terra Hale, for example. Located inside the market's old railway arches, this eco-friendly fitness studio boasts Eco-Pwr sports bikes — so every high intensity spin session you complete puts 160 watts of electricity back into the grid.

After all that calorie-burning power production, you definitely deserve something delicious to eat. Luckily, when it comes to street food, you're spoilt for choice. Shepherd's Bush Market is famous for its fantastic falafel (Cafe 1000 and Falafel Hut are good starting points), but you can also get your hands on cracking Italian grub from Sugo, snack on spring rolls from Koko's Thai, or try a freshly home-made chimney cake at Sweet Caroline Chimney Cakes.

Once you're all fed and watered it's time for a good old rummage. Rub shoulders with fashion students on the hunt for exotic fabrics, treat yourself to some new jewellery, and get to know the people that trade here.

There's more to Shepherd's Bush than shopping, too. This part of the capital is where London's first Olympic Games took place in 1908. It's the birthplace of legendary mod rock band The Who, and home to the world's first purpose-built television centre. And this rich legacy of innovation lives on in the productions of celebrated new writing theatre Bush Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Comedy Festival and Shubbak, an annual celebration of contemporary Arab culture.

The market takes place Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm, and is just a short walk from two Zone 2 tube stations — Shepherd's Bush Market and Goldhawk Road — so it's easily reachable, whatever your schedule.

2020 is set to be a particularly exciting year for Shepherd's Bush Market, with new arrivals, a packed events calendar, and investment to improve the market — don't worry, the market will stay open while the works take place! We can't wait to check out The Hawk's Nest, a new bar and street food destination that launches at the end of March in one of the railway arches in the market.

Whether you're new to the area or a lapsed market regular, Shepherd's Bush Market's mix of old school charm and innovation makes it worth flocking to.

Shepherd's Bush Market is located on Uxbridge Road and takes place every Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm.