Do you know Alfies Antique Market? If you’re familiar with the name, you’ll know all about what a gem of a place it is. If you don’t, I’m here to tell you that Alfies Antique Market is one of the best spot in London for antiques, vintage, and general cool retro stuff. It’s a candy store for lovers of all things old, an eclectic paradise of unique treasures. Plus a secret rooftop café…

And this article has plenty of practical information and handy tips for your visit!

Alfies Antique Market: practical information (and a map)

Address: 13 – 25 Church St NW8 8DT

Opening Hours: 10 – 18:00 Tuesdays to Saturdays

Website: https://www.alfiesantiques.com/

How to get there: the nearest public transport stations are Marylebone (BR) and Edgware Road (the Bakerloo line one).

Toilets: yes, on the first floor.

And also:

• The café, called the Rooftop Kitchen, is great, too – a true insider spot for nice food at decent prices.
• There are multiple entrances and multiple staircases, some more solid-looking than others.
• There’s also a lift that will take you to all floors. Although on the top floor (the one with the café), you have to go down a small flights of steps after exiting the list, so not that useful if you have mobility issues…but then again it’s an old building, and that’s part of the charm.
• Allow plenty of time for visiting: Alfie’s is about 3 square kilometers over several floors.
• There’s actually a pdf map of the market available, and since it’s not that easy to find, I’m linking to it here – here’s the Alfie’s map, to go with the listings on their website.
• And finally, you can even pick up free books, and they’re terrific! I don’t know if that feature is there to stay, but it makes for the most interesting little free library in London

About Alfies Antique Market

Alfies Antique Market was opened in 1976 by Bennie Gray and named after his father Alfie. It was originally housed in a former haberdashery superstore (Jordan’s ) which went bust in the mid 1970s. Alfies was a roaring success from the very beginning, and the original site has been expanded several times since then.

Now it’s a large maze-like quirky space spread over 4 floors. It houses over 70 traders (some of whom have been there since the very start), a charming rooftop café and a small fish pound (no, really), all behind a façade inspired by art-deco-meets-ancient-Egypt.

There’s also jewellery repairs and bespoke commissions, bespoke upholstery, as well as clock repairs and bespoke metal work.

There are treasures in every corner at every turn: fine art, costume jewellery, vintage fashion and accessories, interior furnishings, glass and silverware, vintage luggage, ceramics, books, watches and clocks, old advertising signs, antique lace, modernist furniture and light fittings, African textiles, collectibles… You could spend a whole day in there, the rooftop café means you don’t even need to leave for lunch.

Alfies also houses Al Fayez market, a space for dealers who specialise in fine Middle Eastern antiques – think exquisite craftsmanship and artistry.

And if that wasn’t enough, Alfies has regenerated the north end of Church street. What used to be a derelict thoroughfare is now one of the most upmarket areas of London for antiques. (London being London, the other end of Church Street has a decidedly more popular vibe.)

Is Alfies antique market expensive?

One of the wonderful things about Alfies Antique Market is that there’s something for most budgets. Sure, some of it is so expensive, a “price on application” kind of thing, but all price points are catered for… which makes Alfies a rather dangerous place, actually! Go in for a trinket, come out with a one-of-a-kind mid-century coffee table that was too pretty to leave behind. Consider yourself warned.

Alfies antique market: spotlight on Horner Antiques

Every display is a feast for the eyes. Take Horner Antiques, for example.

Horner Antiques is on the ground floor and is probably one of the first stall you’ll see (depending on what entrance you use). It’s a stall of two halves: one half is a display of exquisite ceramics; the other half offers hundreds of vintage glass Christmas ornaments, twinkling in the light. They come in delicious colours and delightfully quirky shapes: gnomes, suns, snowmen, cosmonauts, and… I believe that’s a duck in a winter coat? They don’t make them like this anymore…

Do check out their Instagram for more visual delights.

Alfies antique market: spotlight on Robinson Antiques

If Christmas leaves you cold, how about some mid-century wares? The stall at Robinson Antiques is a beautifully colour coordinated display of vintage Pyrex in candy colours, Wedgwood Jasperware in the distinctive Wedgwood blue, and classic ceramics such Enid Seeney’s iconic “Homemaker” design (can you believe it was originally sold in Woolworth?). You’ll find vases, tea sets, cut crystal champagne glasses, stainless steel coffee pots, as well as some lighting, all with a modernist Scandinavian sensibility. Oh, and adorable ceramic rabbits…

This way for their Instagram.

Pssssst…… If you enjoyed Alfies, you might also enjoy Eclectica, a one room boutique emporium in Clapham.

Pssst… for tomorrow’s antiques and collectable, you might want to head to the Conran Shop.

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