Columbia Road Flower Market

On grey gloomy Sunday mornings, nothing cheers me up more than a trip to the Columbia Road Flower Market. All one needs is a willingness to kick the laziness aside and step out of that cosy duvet. As difficult as that sounds (Sundays are meant for lie-ins after all), I am always excited about going to the market. Keep reading to know why.

Every Sunday, Columbia Road in East London comes alive with fresh flowers, plants and bulbs. The street is lined with kiosks, where vendors shout out to you trying to pitch a sale. And irrespective of the weather, this place is flooded with people. A mélange of colours, sounds, smells, and energy! The vibe is simply uplifting.

Daffodils

Tulips

An old pic, from last summer

Market stalls

Columbia Road Flower Market is definitely a must-visit for the green-fingered ones! And don’t worry if you are not. There is plenty to do for everyone. There are independent shops along the street, selling quirky knick-knacks, homeware, pottery, vintage clothing, etc. There are buskers and street performers to entertain you. There are cafes and delis, some even hole-in-the-wall kind.

Shops and Cafes at Columbia Road Flower Market

Shops and Cafes at Columbia Road Flower Market

Shops and Cafes at Columbia Road Flower Market

Shops and Cafes at Columbia Road Flower Market

Do you?

Walk towards Ezra Street, and you will find more shops, cafes and antique stores. Some of my favourites in the area are A Portuguese Love Affair and Lily Vanilli. But I do love to browse all the shops whenever I go, just wander around basically.

Lily Vanilli Bakery – Pun intended 😉

Yummy Chocolate, pecan and sea salt brownies from the Lily Vanilly Bakery

Couldn’t resist a selfie 😀

To get the best of the stock from the flower market, one needs to get as early as possible. However, if you go towards the closing time, you may get a bargain or two, since the vendors are trying to wrap up for the day. The market is open on Sundays from 8am to around 3pm.

To reach the market, I take the DLR to Shadwell, and then switch to the Overground to Hoxton. The market is just around 5minute walk From Hoxton station. So, it’s not very difficult for me to get there using the public transport. 

For parking and other helpful information, check out the website: http://www.columbiaroad.info/