London has a rich tradition of leather craftsmanship. Although it is not as renowned for leather as Florence or Milan, it boasts a thriving artisanal leather industry that offers a wide range of leather materials and products to major companies, workshops and designers, including custom-made handcrafted items. Whether you are looking for high-end designer boutiques, vintage markets or independent workshops, you can find the best leather in London here.
This article will explore the leather market and leather streets in London, UK.
Bermondsey Leather Market (Bermondsey, SE1)
This magnificent Victorian building and former tannery are listed as Grade II listed buildings and are just a few steps away from London Bridge and the borough. Bermondsey is a historic artisan center with a long history dating back to the 19th century. It was once the main center for leather tanning and animal skin trading in London.
Visit the Bermondsey Leather Market, purchase genuine handcrafted leather goods and have the opportunity to make them yourself.
The history of Bermondsey
The Bermondsey Leather Market, a unique building located in Bermondsey, was originally built in the 19th century and was originally named the London Leather, Raw Hides and Wool Exchange. Its luxurious appearance still retains elaborately carved circular decorations to this day, showcasing all aspects of the leather industry. Today, this building has become the office space for various enterprises in Bermondsey.
The rise and fall of the leather industry in Bermondsey
In the middle and late 19th century, Bermondsey reached its peak as an important leather-making center in Britain. However, after entering the 20th century, its leather industry gradually declined. The main influencing factors include:
Industrial transfer: Emerging leather processing centers in northern England (such as Leeds and Liverpool) have risen due to lower rents and labor costs. Bermondsey has gradually transformed into a wholesale and distribution center for leather rather than a production center.
Changes in market demand: The rise of the automotive industry has reduced the demand for horse gear leather, while the popularization of synthetic materials has further squeezed the market space of traditional leather.
Ultimate demise: After the 1960s, synthetic materials replaced leather on a large scale, leading to the contraction of the industry. In 1997, the closure of the last tannery, SO Rowe & Son PLC, marked the complete end of the centuries-old leather industry in Bermondsey.
This transformation reflects the changes in the manufacturing landscape of Britain in the later stage of the Industrial Revolution, as well as the transformation and elimination of traditional handicrafts in the process of modernization.
The address of Bermondesi Leather Market:
Weston Street, Bermondsey, SE1 3ER
Traffic route
Subway stations: London Bridge Station (7-minute walk) or Boroughs Station (11-minute walk).
The leather market is just a few steps away from London Bridge Station and Borough Station, making it an ideal choice for both Londoners and commuters. Here, there are small specialty stores selling custom bags, shoes and accessories. Keep an eye out for leather workshops, where you can make leather products by yourself.
Leather Lane Market (Holburn District)
Leather Lane Market is an open-air market in Holburn, Camden, London. It is located in Leather Lane and is the oldest market in Camden. This Leather Lane market featuring a wide variety of street snacks, fashionable clothing, household goods and daily necessities, as well as numerous first-class bars, cafes, restaurants, etc.
Leather Lane Market has a long history of over 400 years and is one of the oldest markets in London. Today, a group of modern and traditional vendors have gathered here (some of whom have been in business for several generations), endowing it with a rare and distinctive charm among similar markets.
The history and characteristics of Leather Lane Market
Leather Lane Market is a leather processing street from the pre-Victorian era, consisting of 103 trading Spaces with a history of 400 years. It is now a paradise for street food on weekdays, but retains some traditional stalls where you can find leather trinkets and antique ornaments. There are still some traditional leather goods stores, such as Ettinger (luxury leather accessories since 1934) and Bill Amberg Studio (customizing leather).
The address of Leather Lane Market:
Leather Lane, EC4 (near Chancery Lane subway station)
Traffic route
Subway stations: Chancery Lane • 4 minutes’ walk, Farringdon• 4 minutes’ walk
Bus Routes: 17, 46, 55, 243 and 341.
Business hours
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields Market is an indoor market located in the Spitalfields area of London and has a history of over 350 years. This place is open seven days a week and is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the commercial street. This market brings together small producers, local creative people and artisans, original independent retailers and some well-known brands under a historic roof. Whether you are looking for unique clothing, handcrafted leather bags, or enjoying delicious food, there are always new discoveries waiting for you here.
Spitalfields Market is renowned for its independent stall sales, offering handcrafted leather goods and customizable items (initials, embossing).
“A to Z Leather” & Leather Republic: An independent stall selling leather goods made in London – handbags, belts, wallets – and offering custom options such as acronyms.
The location of Spitalfields Market: Brushfield Street, E1 (near Liverpool Street Metro Station)
The business hours of Spitalfields Market
The market is open every day
Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Restaurants and shops are open every day – their business hours vary.
Petticoat Lane Market
The history of Petticoat Lane Market can be traced back to the 1750s and it can be regarded as one of the true historical treasures of London. The name Petticoat Lane was changed because it was too vulgar. Now it is called Middlesex Street.
Location: A long-established clothing and leather market with over 1,200 stalls on weekends, renowned for its affordable leather goods and clothing.
Petticoat Lane Market address: E1, Middlesex Street
Key point: General clothing, bags and accessories
Leather goods: Occasionally, they can be purchased at cheap stalls, especially small bags, belts and jackets. The leather bags and accessories there are mostly made in China and the prices are very reasonable.
Transportation route
Aldgate • A 4-minute walk
Aldgate East • A 4-minute walk
The business hours of Petticoat Lane Market
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
The leather goods exhibition in London
Pure London & Source Fashion
Time and Location: It is held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London every February and July. The summer exhibition of 2025 will be held from July 8th to 10th.
Exhibition scope: Covering the entire industrial chain products such as leather fabrics, accessories, ready-to-wear clothing, shoes and bags, and textile machinery, attracting global buyers (such as British department store Harrods, e-commerce platform ASOS, etc.).
Market position: The largest and most influential clothing, accessories and fabric exhibition in the UK, it is the core platform for procurement and trend release in the leather industry.
London VS. Italian Leather: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | London Leather | Italian Leather |
| Style | Classic British, structured | Soft, supple, luxury-focused |
| Price Range | Mid-to-high (bespoke = expensive)£50-£500+ | High (Florence/Milan = premium)€100-€2000+ |
| Best For | Heritage brands, vintage finds, bespoke British | High-fashion designer pieces |
Shopping tips for the London Leather Market
Check for “genuine leather” – avoid “bonded leather” (low quality).
Retro bargains – Portobello Market offers the best deals on second-hand brand-name leather.
Customization takes time – a customization order may take 4 to 8 weeks.
Avoid fake stalls – Some markets sell counterfeit goods (especially near Oxford Street).
Conclusion of London Leather Market and Stores
Of course, apart from the leather markets we mentioned, there are other clusters of leather stores, such as Savile Row, Hackney and other areas where independent leather goods studios are also gathered, focusing on sustainable and small-batch production.
The leather industry in London thrives in the fusion of historical trade, antique treasures and modern designers, making it perfect for those who desire high-quality craftsmanship but do not want Italian prices. In recent years, London has gradually paid attention to environmental protection and ethical issues, promoting the development of new materials such as plant-tanned leather and recycled leather, which is influencing the direction of the global leather industry.
If you are looking for a leather bag manufacturer in the London leather market, you will need to spend a lot of time and energy searching, because most of them are stores and most of them support small-batch customization, which may disappoint you. If you want to customize a large number of leather bags, you might as well contact a trustworthy leather bag manufacturer in China.
