Broadway Market's Buskers

I couldn't leave the market without telling you about the buskers. I don't remember the last time I saw an accordion player in London - I do remember the last time I read about them, though, and that was Annie Proulx's Accordion Crimes which I would heartily recommend (the link takes you to an excerpt).

There was an interesting amalgam of busking when I was there - this accordion player, a rather good folky guitar/singer girl and a 10 or 11 year old boy playing.... violin. That put me in mind of the great Londoner, Samuel Johnson's quote "Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all." OK, I'm being unfair, but you did have to take his age into consideration when assessing the quality. All in all, good sounds adding to a great atmosphere.

Broadway Market

I've got two discoveries to share with you today, the first is Broadway Market, quite possibly one of the best kept of London's secrets. For a p[lace to shop it ranks alongside Borough Market - Borough has more food, this has more other stuff. And, although it leans heavily to the trendy, it still has some older character places rubbing alongside the new. One piece of advice - go for lunch. Even if you don't fancy the wild mushroom sandwiches being cooked up here, there is bound to be something to your taste. Hog roast, gourmet burgers, indian veggie, west indian, fellafel ...much much more. It would be such a shame not to visit hungry (Saturdays, make a date in your diary). Here's a picture of a selection of Balsamic Vinegars and Olive oils available from one stall.

The second is a Wee Birdy, who is a serious London Shopper. This link will take you to her reviews of Broadway Market stalls and shops... the next best thing to going. If you live half way around the world, go on, give her a read - you'll find out what you are missing.

See where on the London Daily Photo Map