Columbia Road Flower Market is located outdoors in the street with the same name, in East London. It was originally established as a fish market in 1869, but over the years it evolved with the neighbourhood to become a hugely popular market for flowers, plants, and other garden staples.
Many of the stallholders hail from families who have sold at the market for generations; prices are reasonable, the selection is second to none, and the sales patter is fun and engaging. Visiting Columbia Road Flower Market is a unique London experience that should not be missed, even if you don’t particularly need any plants. Be warned, even those without a touch of a green thumb will find it hard to resist bringing something lovely home from this fragrant market.
5 Highlights around the market
- Bob & Blossom – adorable and uniquely designed children’s clothes
- Cafe Columbia – fantastic bagels in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere
- Campania – small menu of the most delicious Italian favourites
- Laxeiro – big tapas portions of galician specialities
- Nelly Duff – local gallery featuring art at reasonable prices
Fresh flowers at a good price
The flowers offered at Columbia Road Flower Market are seasonally influenced, so in the spring and summer, tulips and peonies abound. Sunflowers pack the market come autumn, and by the time the Christmas season rolls around, holly, mistletoe, and holiday wreaths are everywhere.
You can find cut flowers of the freshest and best quality at the market for about the same price as you would normally pay for the uninspired and somewhat tired cello bags of flowers you see at grocery stores. The vendors vie for your trade here, calling out the special deals and incentives in hopes of getting your attention and your patronage.
Grow a herb garden
Gardeners from all over come to Columbia Road Flower Market for potted plants and other garden favourites. Herbs like lavender, dill, and basil stand ready in their little pots for you to whisk them away to your kitchen garden.
You can buy rose bushes, olive trees, or lemon trees for your garden. There is a stall at the market selling special orchids and Mediterranean shrubs for both indoor and outdoor decorating.
Columbia Road Market is a treat for the senses, and makes for an unforgettable Sunday morning in London.
The market is open Sundays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Columbia Flower Market blooms with flowers, fresh coffee and music every sunday!
Traders sell flowers and plants from all over the world
Columbia Road Flower Market is one of our favourites!
Big plants
Lots of sales banter to be heard from the stallholders
Other than flowers and plants, the market is also composed of artisan coffee places, street food shops and craftsmen selling diverse handmade items from jewellery and vintage clothes to Buddhist artefacts and perfumed candles.
Columbia Road is great for kids as well, people are friendly and the music is good
Punters with their morning coffee deciding on which flowers to buy
Typical scene at the flower market
Couple deciding which flowers to go for
It can get really crowded at Columbia Road on Sundays
Buskers playing at Columbia Road
Trader selling flowers to punters at Columbia Road Flower Market
Buskers at Columbia Road on a Sunday morning
