The Source

Beautiful writing about delicious British food. Articles, comments and musings from our contributors.

Borough Market in the heart of London is a hub for the most delicious British food from across the country. They have supported Love British Food's work for many years and are taking part in this year's British Food Fortnight. Here is a short history.

Borough Market is a central London food market with more than 100 traders, whose diverse offering is underpinned by a commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability

Borough Market’s story began 1,000 years ago, when a market took shape at the foot of London Bridge. It has been in its current location since 1756, run by a charitable trust on behalf of the community. Today, its mission is to show that food can be made and sold in ways that are better for people, for the planet and for the sheer pleasure of eating.

Its 100-plus stalls, stands, shops and restaurants are all completely distinctive – unique in the food they sell and in the people who sell it. What they all have in common, though, is their level of knowledge and expertise, their commitment to doing things the right way and the emphasis they place on making or sourcing the best food they possibly can.

While Borough Market reflects the international character of London, it is also a source of high-quality British food. Among the producers with stalls at the Market are dairy farmers and cheesemakers from Somerset and Sussex, vegetable farmers and foragers from Kent, scallop divers from Devon, oystermen from Essex, pie makers and livestock farmers from Leicestershire, cider makers from Hampshire, and bakers and chocolatiers from London. They are joined by numerous cheesemongers, fishmongers, greengrocers and butchers who source their produce from like-minded producers around the UK.

Borough Market is a Food Hero member of Love British Food.