London Market: Columbia Road Flower Market. If you find yourself at a loose end one Sunday morning, head for Columbia Road Flower Market. You can buy succulents, cacti, flower bulbs, beautiful blooms and exotic house plants. It’s a great place to browse independent shops and eat at cute little cafes. You’ll find the Sunday market located in London E2. It is open from 8 am until around 2 pm and 3 pm.
Crowds at Columbia Road Flower Market
What You Can Buy at Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road is closed to traffic on Sunday mornings when it becomes a flower market. Many of the stallholders have been selling plants and flowers for years. You will hear them shouting out what they have for sale and how much the price is. The prices go down towards closing time. If you want to buy flowers and plants at bargain prices, then visit the market between 2 pm and 3 pm.
Daisies
You can buy freshly cut flowers which you can give to a friend or keep for yourself as a treat. Brighten up your home with delightful daisies, scented roses, lovely lilies and tempting tulips. Near Easter, expect to see plenty of bright yellow daffodils for sale.
Succulents
Succulents and cacti plants can also be purchased at reasonable prices. These come in all shapes and sizes. Take some cardboard to wrap around prickly cacti so you don’t cause an injury to yourself or others! You can also buy potted palms and other exotic house plants.
Lavender
Bulbs, bedding plants, shrubs, grasses, lavender and herbs are also sold at this busy market. Some stalls only accept cash, and if you want to haggle, then cash is king!
Columbia Road Flower Market Shops To Browse
On both sides of the street, plenty of adorable independent shops open on Sundays to coincide with the market. Some shops are open on Saturday and during the week but check online before you visit.
Columbia Road Shops
The shops sell a wide selection of gorgeous goodies, including stationery, greeting cards, kitchenware, home accessories, gifts, shoes, fashion and much more. You can expect an eclectic mix of coveted brands, emerging artisans and vintage gems. It a delightful shopping destination if you’re looking for a gift or something spectacular for your home.
Wooden Crates
I’ll mention a few of the shops to give you an idea of what to expect. Nelly Duff exhibits artwork from street, tattoo and graphic artists. Glitterati sells vintage fashion and costume jewellery. Artisans and Adventures stock crafted goodies, including chocolate, cushions and woven baskets.
Wooden Spoons
Keeping House is the place for household goods. Nom collaborates with artisans to create products for the home, such as tableware. Milagros works with Mexican artists and sells their artwork, tiles and gifts. Columbia Pottery is the place to purchase beautiful pots for all those plants you’ve bought!
The Courtyard
Also, explore Ezra Street, where you will find more shops, a few cafes and vintage stalls. Go inside The Courtyard, which is on Ezra Street and browse The Yard for vintage finds.
Vintage Gems
Stoned and Plastered, on Ezra Street, is worth checking out for interesting stoneware to decorate your garden. There are a couple of portable toilets at the end of the street should you be in need!
Stoned and Plastered
There are a few cafes and eateries dotted around. You will also find a few hatches and pop-ups serving food on Sundays. Food options include cakes, pastries, bagels, posh sausage rolls, oysters and more!
Food Option
Columbia Road Flower Market Information
Columbia Road was once a pathway where sheep would be driven to the slaughterhouses at Smithfield Market. It was later bought to be built during the Victoria era. Angela Burdett-Coutts started Columbia Market in 1869 as a food market which closed in 1886. Later, the flower market started as a Saturday event but changed to Sundays due to the interest of Jewish Traders.
House Plants
The market is open on Sundays only, it starts at 8 am and ends around 2 pm and 3 pm. The address is Columbia Road, London E2 7RG. The closest stations are Hoxton, Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath. Check out the Columbia Road Website for more information.
Crowded Streets
The market gets very busy at times. You might get hemmed in and find it difficult to walk along the street. Taking pushchairs and dogs is not much fun if you find yourself in a crush. Try going early in the morning or just before closing when it’s less hectic. Enjoy your visit, and I hope you buy some beautiful plants.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy, for visiting with me.
