Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market sits in the financial heart of the City of London, its painted iron and glass roof arching over cobbled walkways that have hosted traders since the 14th century. The current structure was designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones, the same architect behind Tower Bridge and the old Billingsgate Fish Market, and its cream, maroon and green ironwork is one of the finest examples of Victorian commercial architecture in London.

The market doubles as a filming location. The entrance at 42 Bull's Head Passage was used as the doorway to the Leaky Cauldron in the first Harry Potter film, and the covered walkways stood in for Diagon Alley. Today, the market houses independent restaurants, wine bars, a cheesemonger and several City pubs that fill with workers at lunchtime.

Area City of London

Price Free

Duration 1-1.5 hours

Best Time Weekday lunchtimes

Highlights

The Painted Ironwork Roof

Sir Horace Jones's 1881 roof structure is decorated in cream, maroon and deep green paint, with ornate dragons and griffins at the intersections. The cobblestone floors and gas-style lanterns beneath create a Victorian atmosphere unlike any other market in London.

Bull's Head Passage (Diagon Alley)

The narrow covered passage at 42 Bull's Head Passage was dressed as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The blue-painted doorway is still there and remains one of the most photographed spots in the City of London.

The Central Crossing

The point where the market's two main avenues meet beneath the highest section of the glass roof. On weekday lunchtimes the crossing fills with City workers, and at Christmas the market installs lights and decorations that draw evening visitors from across London.

The Wine Bars and Pubs

The Lamb Tavern, one of London's oldest pubs, occupies a corner of the market and has been serving since 1780. Alongside it, several wine bars and restaurants line the walkways, making Leadenhall a popular lunchtime destination for the surrounding financial district.

Seven Centuries of Trade

A market has traded on this spot since at least 1321, when a royal charter permitted the sale of poultry on the site of a medieval mansion with a distinctive lead roof. Over the following centuries, the market expanded to include meat, fish, leather and grain, becoming one of the principal wholesale markets of the City of London.

The current structure was designed by Sir Horace Jones and completed in 1881. Jones, who also designed the old Billingsgate Fish Market and began work on Tower Bridge, created an ornate covered hall with a glass and iron roof decorated in cream, maroon and green. The cobblestone floors, wrought-iron gates and decorative dragons and griffins at the roof intersections survive intact and are Grade II* listed.

Architecture and Film Connections

The market's Victorian character has made it a natural film set. The covered walkways were used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and the blue door at 42 Bull's Head Passage served as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. Filming took place in the early hours of the morning before the market opened, using the cobblestones and gas-style lanterns as a ready-made period streetscape.

Beyond Harry Potter, the market has appeared in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and several television productions. The architecture rewards a slow visit even without the film connection. The central crossing, where the two main avenues meet beneath the tallest section of the roof, is particularly striking, and the painted ironwork details are easy to miss if you walk through too quickly.

Eating and Drinking in the Market

Leadenhall's dining options reflect its City location. The Lamb Tavern, a pub dating to 1780, anchors the south-east corner and serves traditional British food alongside a rotating selection of ales. Several wine bars cater to the after-work crowd, filling the walkways on Thursday and Friday evenings. At lunchtime, the market's restaurants and sandwich shops are busy with workers from the surrounding insurance and banking offices.

The market is at its liveliest between noon and 2pm on weekdays. At Christmas, the ornate roof is decorated with lights and the atmosphere transforms further, drawing visitors from across London who would not normally venture into the Square Mile. For photographers, early mornings or weekends offer empty walkways and the best light through the glass roof.

Did You Know?

A market has operated on this site since at least 1321, when it was granted a licence to sell poultry, and the name "Leadenhall" comes from a lead-roofed mansion that stood here in the medieval period
The market sits directly above the ruins of the Roman forum and basilica, the largest building in Roman Britain, whose foundations were discovered during renovation work in the 1880s
Sir Horace Jones designed both Leadenhall Market and Tower Bridge, completing the market in 1881 just five years before beginning work on the bridge
The Lamb Tavern in the market's south-east corner has served customers since 1780, predating the current Victorian building by a full century

Getting There

Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT

Tube: Monument station (District and Circle lines) is a 4-minute walk east along Eastcheap. Bank station (Central, Northern, Waterloo and City lines) is 6 minutes north-west

Bus: Routes 15, 25, 35 and 47 stop on Fenchurch Street or Leadenhall Street within a 3-minute walk of the market entrances

Walking: 8 minutes from Fenchurch Street or Cannon Street mainline stations, 13 minutes from Liverpool Street station, or 10 minutes south from the Barbican

Pricing

Market entry Free
Lunch at a market restaurant £12-25
Pint at the Lamb Tavern £6-8
Coffee £3-5

Entry to the market is free at all times. Restaurant and bar prices reflect the City of London location and are slightly higher than outer London equivalents.

Visitor Tips

Visit at lunchtime on a weekday

The market is at its busiest and most atmospheric between noon and 2pm Monday to Friday, when City workers fill the restaurants and bars. This is the best time to experience Leadenhall as a living market rather than a quiet architectural landmark.

Come early or at weekends for photographs

The ornate roof and cobblestone walkways photograph best without crowds. Early mornings before the shops open or a quiet Saturday give you the emptiest views and the best natural light through the glass panels.

Find the Harry Potter doorway

The blue door at 42 Bull's Head Passage, used as the Leaky Cauldron entrance in the first Harry Potter film, is in the south-east section of the market. Look for the narrow covered alley leading off Gracechurch Street.

Combine with the Monument and Tower of London

Monument station is a 4-minute walk away, and the Tower of London is 10 minutes further east along Tower Hill. Leadenhall fits neatly into a walking route through the historic City.

Check opening times at weekends

Most shops and restaurants close on Saturdays and Sundays. The covered walkways remain accessible, so you can still admire the architecture, but there will be very little open for food or drink outside the working week.

Common Questions About Leadenhall Market

Yes. The market is free to enter at all times. The covered walkways are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You only pay if you eat, drink or shop.

Yes. The covered walkways were used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and the blue door at 42 Bull's Head Passage was the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.

The covered walkways are open around the clock. However, most shops and restaurants operate Monday to Friday only and close at weekends. Some restaurants open on Saturdays, but check individual listings before visiting.

An hour is enough to walk through the market, admire the architecture, find the Harry Potter filming locations and have a coffee or a pint. If you eat lunch there, allow 1.5 hours.

Monument on the District and Circle lines is a 4-minute walk. Bank station, serving the Central, Northern and Waterloo and City lines, is 6 minutes north-west.

The main walkways are at ground level and step-free, making them accessible for wheelchair users. Some individual shops may have steps at their entrances. A disability access map is available on the market's website.

No. Leadenhall is primarily a destination for restaurants, wine bars and pubs rather than fresh food stalls. It does not have the same street food or artisan produce focus as Borough or Camden. The appeal is the Victorian architecture and the dining atmosphere.

Weekday lunchtimes between noon and 2pm are the liveliest, with restaurants and pubs full of City workers. For photography or a quiet walk through the architecture, early mornings or weekends are ideal.

James Whitfield

EDITORIAL REVIEW

London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism

Last reviewed: March 5, 2026

Visit

Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
+44 20 7332 1523
Mon–Fri 10:00-18:00
Sat, Sun Varies (most shops closed)
The covered walkways are accessible 24 hours a day. Most shops, restaurants and bars operate Monday to Friday only, geared to City workers. Some restaurants open on Saturdays but the market is much quieter at weekends.
leadenhallmarket.co.uk

Discover More

Discover more attractions and things to do in London.

Browse All Attractions