Columbia Road Flower Market London: London Area Guide

Posted on 02/26/2019

One of my favourite things to do in London is to spend the weekend at Columbia Road Flower Market London. The market is actually named after a street located in the eats of London and has now become famous amongst both locals and tourists.

Columbia Road Flower Market in Bethnal Green is a road of Victorian shops off Hackney Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and is open on Sundays only.

I had a spare Sunday last month so we decided to drive into London and spend the day exploring the lesser-known areas of London, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Brent and stop off at Columbia Road Flower Market.

Columbia Road Market is London’s principal flower market devoted to selling plants, flowers, garden fittings and gardening equipment at reasonable prices and is the best flower market I’ve ever been to so it’s a must-visit if you are visiting London.

As we all know London doesn’t always have the best weather, which is why I’d also recommend reading this guide to what to do in London when it rains.

The History of Columbia Road Flower Market London

The market’s been happening, on and off and in various guises, since 1869 and for the past half-century traders have regularly been selling seasonal flowers and plants at bargain prices. Over the past decade, as the nearby Shoreditch and Brick Lane areas of London became more popular tourists have flocked to this London flower market. There are many Sunday flea market stalls nearby, and Columbia Road market has become a well-known tourist attraction with millions visiting every year.

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COVID-19 Update

Is Columbia road flower market open?

As of 1 November Columbia road flower market is now closed during the England lockdown 2.0. And remember it’s closed every day except Sundays.

How to get to Columbia Road Flower Market

The nearest Overground stops are Hoxton and Shoreditch High Street (that’s the orange one on the map); from either it’s a 5-10 minute walk. Be sure to look out for some of the cool street art dotted around! The nearest tube is Old Street.

Buying Flowers, Shrubs and Blooms

It’s worth shopping around, don’t be afraid to barter and prepare for it to get very busy. The market is popular with locals and tourists and during the midday, rush is rammed with people elbowing their way to that perfect pot plant. If you can’t bear crowds or just want to guarantee the pick of the crop, arrive when the market opens.

A pit stop for Brunch

After a morning of bargaining and loud market traders it’s likely you will be hungry, and this area is also a great spot to grab brunch or coffee.

You can head behind the stalls and down traditional side streets to find cute cafés, independent restaurants, delis, shops, antique dealers, vintage stalls and small galleries, many of which follow the market’s opening hours.

Pop into Jones Dairy Cafe on the corner for organic and local produce (and they’ve even got a cat in the cafe who sleeps all day), though it does get really busy here, so you may need to head there early. Or you can treat yourself to a freshly baked cake at Treacle or treat yourself to a locally brewed pint at the Nelson’s Head.

Top Tips for visiting Columbia Flower Market

For a bargain, visit when the market is winding down (around 2-3pm) because that’s when the traders reduce their prices to shift the remaining stock.

And, don’t forget to bring cash. Some stalls have handheld machines to accept debit card payments but that should not be relied upon. There is an ATM nearby but it charges around £2 per transaction.

Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG – opening time: Every Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Columbia Road Flower Market London: London Area Guide

The History of Columbia Road Flower Market London