Columbia Road Flower Market fills this East London street with flower and plant stalls on Sundays, from 8am to 3pm. Browse cut flowers, houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs, then look into the independent shops, cafes and galleries along the road. The displays change with the seasons, so you might find spring blooms one visit and winter greenery another. Go early for more room to browse and a wider pick of the stalls; later in the day, sellers may reduce prices on cut flowers as they wind down.
A Sunday market on Columbia Road
Columbia Road Flower Market takes place on Sundays, when stalls line the East London street with flowers and plants. The market dates to 1869, and a campaign in the 1970s helped save the street market from demolition.
The road's Victorian shopfronts provide a backdrop for the stalls. The market is known for its range of plant life, from fresh-cut bouquets to houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs. Independent shops, cafes and galleries sit along the road, giving you more to browse beyond the flower stalls.
Seasonal flowers and nearby shops
What you find changes with the season. Spring and summer bring colourful flowers, while winter displays can include fir and mistletoe. Mimosa is associated with February, and seasonal cut flowers such as tulips and peonies have appeared among the stalls. Plants range from small pots to larger specimens, so the market is also a place to browse even if you are not buying a bouquet.
The surrounding shops sell items including pottery, perfume, vintage clothing, homewares and garden accessories. Cafes provide a place to pause during a Sunday visit. The market is busiest later in the morning, so an earlier arrival leaves more room to move between stalls and look closely at the displays.
Perguntas frequentes
When is Columbia Road Flower Market open?
The flower market runs on Sundays from 8am to 3pm.
How long should I spend at Columbia Road Flower Market?
Allow around 1 to 2 hours to browse the flower stalls and nearby shops.
What can you buy at Columbia Road Flower Market?
Stalls sell cut flowers, houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs. Nearby independent shops sell items such as pottery, perfume, vintage clothing and homewares.
When is the best time to visit?
Go before 11am for a less crowded visit and an early choice of flowers. Later visits may bring reduced prices on cut flowers, but some stock may have sold out.
