Thing to do
Borough Market
London's celebrated food market beside London Bridge station, with traders selling produce, cheese, bread, street food and specialist groceries.
Columbia Road Flower Market
A Sunday-only street market off Hackney Road where traders sell cut flowers and plants, lined by around sixty independent shops.
At a glance
- Type
- Sunday flower market
- Area
- Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom
- Official site
- columbiaroad.info
Good to know
- Free entry
- Independent shops
- Cafés and pubs
Why we recommend it
Columbia Road Flower Market is a Sunday street market in Bethnal Green, in London's East End, where traders line a short Victorian street with buckets of cut flowers, potted plants, shrubs, herbs and bulbs. Behind the stalls, around sixty independent shops, cafés and galleries open their doors, so a visit combines flower shopping with browsing for homeware, art, vintage finds and gifts. It is one of the most photographed markets in the city, and the calls of traders selling bunches at the end of the day are part of its character.
The market runs on Sundays only, from about 08:00 until around 15:00. Early morning brings the widest choice and the most space, while the hour before closing is known for traders reducing their prices to clear stock. In spring and summer the street is a riot of colour, with seasonal blooms and bedding plants, while autumn and winter bring bulbs, foliage and Christmas greenery. The shops along the road include independent designers, bakers and plant specialists, and some open on other days too.
Columbia Road suits keen gardeners, photographers, couples and anyone looking for a relaxed Sunday morning in East London. It can become very crowded from late morning, and the pavements are narrow, so it is not ideal with a large pushchair at peak times. Carrying large plants home on public transport can be awkward; a local bicycle delivery service near the Birdcage pub will deliver purchases and opens at 08:00.
Bring a bag, and be prepared to queue for coffee or breakfast at the cafés and pubs along the street and in nearby Ezra Street. Carrying some cash as well as a card is sensible at street stalls. There are no formal facilities, so plan around the cafés and pubs for toilets.
The market sits off Hackney Road, between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green. Hoxton Overground station is a short walk away, and Shoreditch High Street, Bethnal Green and Liverpool Street are within reach on foot. Many visitors combine Columbia Road with Brick Lane and Spitalfields, which are a short walk south and also busy on Sundays, or with a stroll along the Regent's Canal or through Hackney City Farm nearby.
Columbia Road Flower Market FAQs
When is Columbia Road Flower Market open?
Sundays only, from about 08:00 until around 15:00.
When is the best time to go?
Early, for the widest choice of flowers and plants. Late in the day traders often reduce prices.
How many shops are there?
Around sixty independent shops, cafés and galleries line the street.
Is it busy?
Yes, it becomes crowded from late morning, and pavements are narrow.
Can I get plants delivered?
A bicycle delivery service near the Birdcage pub will deliver purchases and opens at 08:00.
Which station is nearest?
Hoxton Overground is a short walk, with Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green also nearby.
What else is nearby?
Brick Lane and Spitalfields are a short walk south and are also lively on Sundays.
Is it free?
Yes, the street market is free to visit.