Leadenhall Market is a
covered market in London, England, located on
Gracechurch Street
Gracechurch Street is a main road in the City of London, the historic and financial centre of London, England, which is designated the A1213.
It is home to a number of shops, restaurants, and offices and has an entrance to Leadenhall Market, ...
but with vehicular access also available via Whittington Avenue to the north and
Lime Street to the south and east, and additional pedestrian access via a number of narrow passageways.
It is one of the oldest markets in London, dating from the 14th century, and is located in the historic centre of the
City of London
The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...
financial district.
History
The market dates from the 14th century and is said to derive its name from ''Leather-hall'', though it is disputable. The early history of Leaden Hall involves the Mayor (1446), Simon Eyre. According to John Stow, "Eyre, a draper built Leaden Hall for a common garner of corn for the use of this city".
The Market is typically open weekdays from 10 am until 6 pm, and primarily sells fresh food; among the vendors there are cheesemongers, butchers and floristry, florists. Originally a meat, game and poultry market, it stands on what was the centre of Roman London.
[''Leadenhall Market'']
(City of London
The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...
) accessed 30 September 2009 A number of commercial retailers are also located in the market, including clothes shops. The Lamb Tavern, dating from 1780, is a traditional gathering place for insurance industry workers, many of whom work at Lloyd's of London adjacent to Leadenhall Market.
The ornate roof structure, painted green, maroon and cream, and cobbled floors of the current structure, designed in 1881 by Horace Jones (architect), Sir Horace Jones (who was also the architect of Billingsgate Market, Billingsgate and Smithfield Markets), make Leadenhall Market a tourist attraction.
[
The main entrance to the market is on Gracechurch Street. The double height entrance is flanked by tall, narrow gabled red brick and Portland stone blocks in a 17th-century Dutch style. The adjacent buildings to the south have a continuous retail frontage which is punctuated by narrow entrances to pedestrian ways into the market.
Between 1990 and 1991 the market received a dramatic redecoration which improved its appearance, enhancing its architectural character and detail. The redecoration scheme received a special mention in the Civic Trust Awards in 1994. The market is a Grade II* listed building, being listed in 1972.]
Gallery
Image:Leadenhall Market entrance Illustrated London New 1881.jpg, Main entrance from the ''Illustrated London News'', 1881
Image:Leadenhall Market Illustrated London News 1881.jpg, The interior from the ''Illustrated London News'', 1881
Image:Leadenhall market city london outside.jpg, West entrance, from Gracechurch Street
Image:Leadenhall_Market_DSC00193.png, North entrance, from Whittington Avenue off Leadenhall Street
Image:Leadenhallmarket.JPG, Market ceiling, 2010
Image:Mercado Leadenhall, Londres, Inglaterra, 2014-08-07, DD 049.JPG, Night view with a fish-eye lens
Image:Mercado Leadenhall, Londres, Inglaterra, 2014-08-11, DD 147.JPG, View during the day
Image:Leadenhall Market black and white.jpg, Black and white interior of Leadnhall Market
See also
* List of markets in London
References
External links
*
{{London landmarks
Grade II* listed buildings in the City of London
Retail markets in London
Tourist attractions in the City of London
Shopping centres in the City of London
Food markets in the United Kingdom