Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is a covered market in London, located on Gracechurch Street 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.

Leadenhall Market
The central interior of Leadenhall Market
LocationLondon
Coordinates51°30′46.12″N 0°05′00.67″W
AddressGracechurch Street
Opening date14th century
WebsiteOfficial website

East Arcade of Leadenhall Market

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 financial district.

History

The market dates from the 14th century and is said to derive its name from Leather-hall, though it is disputable.[1] 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”. Stow Survey of London.[2]

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 florists. Originally a meat, game and poultry market, it stands on what was the centre of Roman London.[3] A number of commercial retailers are also located in the market, including clothes shops.

The ornate roof structure, painted green, maroon and cream, and cobbled floors of the current structure, designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones (who was also the architect of Billingsgate and Smithfield Markets), make Leadenhall Market a tourist attraction.[3]

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.[4]

It was used to represent the area of London near the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and is featured in the films The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), Hereafter (2010), Brannigan (1975), Hidden City (1987) and Love Aaj Kal (2009). It was also used in the music video for the 1991 Erasure song "Love to Hate You".

Leadenhall Market formed part of the marathon course of the 2012 Olympic Games; runners passed through the market from Whittington Avenue to Lime Street.[5][6]

  • Main entrance from the Illustrated London News, 1881
  • The interior from the Illustrated London News, 1881
  • West entrance, from Gracechurch Street
  • North entrance, from Whittington Avenue off Leadenhall Street
  • Market ceiling, 2010
  • Night view with a fish-eye lens
  • View during the day

See also

References
  1. Wedgwood, Hensleigh (1855). "On False Etymologies". Transactions of the Philological Society (6): 67.
  2. "Honour of Citizens and worthines of men | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk.
  3. Leadenhall Market Archived 31 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine (City of London) accessed 30 September 2009
  4. Stuff, Good. "Leadenhall Market with Subsidiary Numbering, City of London, London, London". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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