Columbia Road Flower Market

stantoncarlisle

Not just for Plants 16th December 2008

1 found this helpful

This is a great place to come for exotic plants - indoor and outdoor. You'll find lime trees, lemon trees, with fruit and green banana plants as well as almost every other plant you could ever want. Prices are good to. Theres a high turnover of stock and there are fantastic bargains to be had at the end of the season. All around is dotted with nooky cafes and the whole place has a bustley & happy vibe about it. Less downtrodden than Brick Lane. Can be awkward to find parking and get all the large goodies back.

watermelon90

Flowers everywhere 2nd October 2008

1 found this helpful

The now very famous indeed columbia road market is a must visit on a sunday. Get there early, it is open from around 8am if you want to bag a particular bargain. Plant lovers from all over london come to find beautiful plants and flowers, bulbs, evergreens and exotics. It is usually jam packed with both plants and people, so a bit of forward planning may be needed if you want to take home a bigger plant. Check out the tree ferns . Lots of other no plant stuff for sale also. You can reach the market by either bus or tube, but I think that it is possible to park your car for free on the north side of hackney road as the traffic wardens do not operate on sundays. There is also a school car park for a small fee which can be used.

clubby2

blooming great 21st September 2008

0 found this helpful

Columbia road flower market, in shoreditch is great for all your plant and flower needs. The atmosphere is buzzing but it can be very busy and over crowded so get there early if you want to beat the crowds or have a particular some thing you need to find. You find every thing in abundance and you can some times haggle and pick up a real bargain. Have bought a couple of real winners here, such as some phoenix palms and an olive tree which look great in my small garden and really brighten the scheme I already had. Good for bedding plants in the summer months too, I just love it and will be going back soon.

topruss

Best flower market ever 23rd June 2008

0 found this helpful

get here early sunday as get really busy and also serve pints from 8am so great if not slept since saturday

Sami

Places like this are what make me love London 26th October 2007

1 found this helpful

I absolutely love this Market. And while I think it probably ranks as the most crowded place I've ever been to, the abundance of fresh flowers, potted plants, and old men hawking their wares in a traditional East End accent, is enough to make me return again and again.

Should you walk on the sidewalk (opposed to the actual Columbia Road), you will find a variety of independent clothing boutiques, garden supply shops where you can, among other things, buy giant terracotta planters and birdbaths, and a few cafes.

A few warnings though - do not be so stupid as to take your bike because you think it would be fun, because people will be very angry at you. There is not enough room for you and your bike. If you plan on taking a truck-load of fresh herbs and flowers home, bring a couple of those re-usable blue Ikea bags (or the like), and watch your wallet, because pickpockets do operate in the area - giddy yuppies, especially those who drivel on about the regeneration of East London, make for easy targets.

girlswear

3rd June 2007

3 found this helpful

Columbia Road Flower Market has became my routine to kick off my Sundays.

I like to start off having a little tea at a hidden little cafe in the archway called "Jones Daily Cafe" (took me a while to find out the name - See seperate review - 23 Ezra Street E2), They also have homemade baked goods, just outside there's usually an oyster stand, and there's a little shop attached to it where you can buy bread and cheese.

Not only you get to see variety of flowers here, but you can buy trees as well. My roommate bought a palm tree from there, I've been wanting a lemon tree!

Moving aside from the main road, there are shops along: mini galleries, craft & decor shops, gardening accessories, cheese/antipasti market, good scampi place, antique shops and perfumery.

I usually walk through the market then onto Brick Lane.

Anna47

1st June 2007

2 found this helpful

Its a great place to spend a Sunday morning. Get there early (about 8) for bacon sandwiches and coffee before the crowds arrive. The boutique shops open at about 10. There is a fantastic shop for lampshades!

sara

flower power 20th April 2007

3 found this helpful

If you're into flowers...or markets...you HAVE to go here!!

50+ stalls selling every type of flower/plant/tree you can imagine all squeezed into 1 road. Walking up from Old Street you cant miss it - you walk past soooo many people carrying as many flowers as humanly possible - and the odd convertible drives by with a bay tree or 2 sticking out of its back seat!

It's only open on sundays and you have to get there early so maybe not after a heavy night out....but if it's a nice day and you fancy lunch out at one of the pubs and cafes afterwards you can't go wrong!

There's also loads of shops selling obscure gardening accessories and home furnishings which i may return to in 20 years time or so when i have the money!

My highlight was hearing all the cockney geezers shouting their market pitches ('ORRchids ORRchids get 'em while you can.....2 for a tenner") and buying a massive bunch of gorgeous orange lillies (still in buds) for £3.