Columbia Road Flower Market
Markets and Music
Just off Hackney Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets lies the Columbia Road Flower Market, a Sunday-only event filled with a wide range of unique attractions. I took a trip there recently with a friend of mine, who’d initially only wanted to pick up some flowers for an upcoming internship. What we found was one of London’s best kept secrets, an undoubtedly popular spot for locals but absent from most mainstream tourist guides.
Lining Columbia Road you’ll find Victorian shops selling everything from quirky handmade trinkets to delicious roasted coffee. The markets themselves are a spectacular sight and the scent of the flowers fills the air. Row after row of hydrangeas, fire lilies, cacti, orchids and more sit pretty against the cockney calls of “three for a tenner”. There’s little room to manoeuvre in the bustling crowds keen for a bargain and that’s part of the charm, but if you really want to avoid the worst of the crowds, get there before 11.
Other than the obvious selection of flowers, the market is famous for the diverse range of talented street performers. Take Garance Louis for example, a fantastic accordion player singing beautiful French folk music, all for an enthralled audience. Asked why she enjoyed performing here, Garance said, “It is the rendezvous of musicians, a place in London where a Sunday feels like a Sunday, a place where people actually take the time to stroll and for this reason, it is amazing for buskers”. Further down the road I spotted another act; someone singing impromptu from the top of a car, her eyes closed and face turned towards the sun. Soul like I’d never heard soul before, a wonderful organic sound played against the backdrop of rising flats. The nearby Ezra street carries the bohemian vibe further still and I loved spending a moment there to soak in the atmosphere.
More so than many other markets around London, the Columbia Road Flower Market is special because of its intimate vibe and authenticity. Those looking for a slice of history, culture and music should definitely take the time to visit. Plus, it’s only a 15-minute walk from the easily accessible Liverpool Street, so finding it shouldn’t be a problem for most visitors.
Columbia Road Flower Market runs from 8am to 2pm every Sunday.
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