There’s a reason so many food-loving travelers hit up Borough Market when in London. Situated just south of Southwark cathedral, it’s one of the largest and oldest markets in London; there has been a market on this site for centuries (the official website claims that it’s a millennium). Today, Borough Market is a showcase for gourmet artisanal products, many of them crafted in the neighborhood, alongside busy restaurants and stalls of specialty foods. Many purveyors are linked to the Slow Food movement, and Borough Market is committed to environmental sustainability.
Right around the corner, the Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard, London has a close relationship with Borough Market, as the luxury hotel’s chefs work with ingredients sourced from the market, and guests can book an individualized market tour with expert guides. And now, the Shangri-La is bringing the market to you, with the recently launched “Borough Box,” stocked with British products (both sweet and savory) from local suppliers at Borough Market and Bermondsey Street (think Cannon and Cannon salami sticks, England Preserves Pear, Date & Ale Chutney, and Bermondsey Bees Street Honey, collected from hives on the rooftops of Bermondsey Street).
The wooden boxes are custom-made and come in three sizes; the largest fits 16 products. The smallest includes treats for Afternoon Tea, like Shangri-La’s bespoke tea blend, created using original tea recipes from China. Each Borough Box also comes with a bar of the hotel’s custom Shangri-La chocolate. Tip: The boxes can also be purchased online.