Columbia Road Market

Columbia Road Flower Market is one of many markets in Central London; a street flower market, it is located in East London. Columbia Road is a road of Victorian shops off the Hackney Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Although established in 1869 as a covered food market, traders preferred selling outdoors; the original building was demolished in 1958.

The market is in operation every Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Traders arrive from 4am every Sunday morning to set up their stalls. A wide range of plants, bedding plants, shrubs, bulbs and freshly cut flowers are available at competitive prices.

The market also has a number of shops selling bread and cheeses, antiques and garden accessories. The Royal Oak pub has the associated market license and is open from 8am on Sundays. There are also a number of outlets selling food.

The market is popular not only with plant and flower buyers but also with photographers and television companies who regularly film there.

There is a regular stall selling “Columbia Carriers” – an inexpensive plastic/fabric bag with a large flat base (ideal for carrying trays of plants)