Columbia Road Market

Sundays are fun, especially when you visit Columbia Road Flower Market. It's very popular with Londoners and visitors. It's very busy between 10 am and 1 pm.

I love this market and have been coming for years. I used to come here with a family and a child, and we'd park the car as close to the market as possible. It would be easier to load up with our purchases. However, things are very different these days.

One thing that struck me was the number of people on Sunday mornings. You'd have to go early to beat the crowds. As a child, I remember the old market, a total of chaos, crowds, and a cacophony, with stallholders vying for the punter's attention on both sides of this famous residential street.

It's uncommon for markets to be slap-banged in a residential street, but it's the flower market, and the locals are very tolerant of the hoards of visitors coming early on Sunday mornings to disturb their peace.

They're very tolerant. An average of 10,000 people are estimated to come to the market each week between 8 am and 2 pm trading hours. The stallholders can start setting up their stalls from 4 am. I'm unsure how I would feel if my road was cordoned off each week and 10,000 people traipsed along the route.

Market On A Sunday?

How did the market come about on a Sunday? It's unusual to have a market on a Sunday, especially on a residential street, but it's rooted in history.

Columbia Market was built upon an area known as Nova Scotia Gardens. This had been a brick field northeast of St Leonard's in Shoreditch; the brick clay had been exhausted, and the area began to be filled in with waste.

History

I learnt something new whilst researching for my blog post. The Huguenots brought the trend for fresh flowers to the East End as they moved into the area after 1658 when they were driven out of France.

The market began in the early 19th century, and it was initially established as a general market by Angela Burdett-Coutts, a philanthropist and one of the wealthiest women in England at the time.

The aim was to provide a legitimate trading area for residents at a time when the East End was characterised by extreme poverty and overcrowding. Initially, the market did not focus exclusively on flowers. It was a street market where locals could buy a variety of goods.

The transformation into a specialised flower market began in the mid-20th century. After World War II, the area around Columbia Road was heavily bombed, and many of the local industries that residents depended on were destroyed.

The market saw a decline in general traders and a rise in flower sellers, who began to dominate the trade. This shift was partly due to the demand for fresh flowers to brighten up the bombsites and the homes of those living in a city under reconstruction. It's also enjoyed a resurgence in popularity because of gardening programs and people's interest in horticulture and gardening.

By the 1960s, the market had become predominantly a flower market. This change was formalised when the local council designated Columbia Road as a flower market, ensuring its continuation and focus on horticulture. This move helped revitalise the area and the market, attracting visitors across London and beyond.

The choice of Sunday as the market day was strategic, allowing it to serve the working population of London who were looking for a leisure activity at the end of their working week and to brighten their homes with fresh flowers for the week ahead. This decision played a significant role in the market's growing popularity.

Gentrification Comes To The Flower Market

It's the first time I've been post-COVID Covid, and everything looks orderly, tidier and better - basically, it's more gentrified. The stall holders still vied for your attention, but it suits the market character after the pandemic.

Previously, there were stalls on both sides of the street, which meant it was difficult to move around, especially if people were moving from one side to another. The market was closed for most of 2020 and 2021. Upon its reopening, it was suggested that stalks be on one side to manage crowd control better.

The market offers an extensive selection of flowers and plants, from traditional British flowers to exotic imports, alongside various herbs, shrubs, and trees. Columbia Road Flower Market has something to offer whether you're a gardening enthusiast looking for rare plant species or someone seeking a fresh bouquet to brighten your home.

The Shops

Columbia Road is an exciting street because you have a mixture of residential houses on one side and shops on the other. I like the boutique feel of the shops, which serve both the locals and the visitors.

I noticed many more eateries, especially new and independent coffee shops selling speciality coffees and delicious treats such as croissants, cakes and other pastries.

The infamous Pavilion Coffee shop is here too. It's one of my favs. I recommend the Cardamom Bun with a nice latte. It will sustain you as you take in the sights, smells and sounds as you walk along the market.

I can never resist not buying anything. One tip, though, is to take cash. Not only will the stall holders love you, but you won't be tempted to go overboard with your purchases because it's easy.

I took the bus home, and my flower loot brought many smiles to my fellow passengers. You'll see people walking around the area with their purchases on buses and trains, and you'll know exactly where they've been. It's a lovely Sunday morning vibe.

Parting Comments

Columbia Road Flower Market is very special because my family and I have been coming here for years. What I love about the place is the beautiful flowers, and the wonderful community feel it has. I haven't seen this cohesive feel in many markets.

Most stall holders have been coming here for years; some are third-generation stall holders, giving it a sense of continuity in a fast-paced and fast-changing city like London.

I'm now seeing more people from outside London, and Snoopy has a lot of company with other people taking photographs and videos. It's all part of the charm, in my opinion.

Plus, there's something for everyone, and you don't have to have a garden or green fingers to enjoy this part of the City. There are eateries, jewellery shops, convenience stores, pubs, bagel shops, and homemade perfume shops.

How to Get to Columbia Road Market

It's a short distance from Shoreditch Overground Station or a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station.

https://columbiaroad.info

Thank you for your attention.

Tabby