Monday 25 January 2010

Columbia Road Flower Market-London's Not So Secret Gem


Columbia Road Flower Market was the one thing on my list I was dying to do for months and hadn't come around to doing yet in my quest for London Zest. Which is strange considering I love markets and I love flowers, and lately I have come to love Hoxton and Shoreditch. Yesterday, I broke the spell once more and ventured out to East London, camera in hand, huge empty grocery bags on each arm, an empty stomach dying to be fed, and a big smile on my face. Apparently that was enough to prepare me for my colourful little adventure on Columbia Road.



And colourful it truly was. I was surprised at how many different types of flowers could actually be sold at flower market and how many of those I had never seen before or didn't know the name of. I picked out a few bunches of tropical and local bouquets and filled my Sainsbury's bags enough to make me keel over from the weight. I kept walking and noticing the variety of corners and angles that would catch my camera-ready eye. Some little spots made me think I was in the midst of some tropical open market, and all I needed was a cool and icy guava juice to quench my thirst and tide me over til lunch. Others were just plain London: funky, colorful and unique.

 

 

There is something quite cute and cozy about the fact that Columbia Road is actually a regular road on regular days without flowers everywhere and that normal people actually live in this adorable street dotted with cute stores and bakeries.




And each little store, each little corner, each little food joint has something quite quirky about it, sells God knows what, but still manages to attract a couple tourists and curious eyes, like this trinket/junk store below.

That's the magic of open markets I guess.

9 comments:

  1. Its great isn't it. I used to fill my huge Ikea blue bags with trays for flowers - just the right size and shape. Of course I can still get my fix on flowers here in the Netherlands - land of the tulip!

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  2. Such lovely photos! I'm so ashamed that I have never been to Columbia Mkt and I've lived in London for 10 years!

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  3. Great photos, I think you captured the atmosphere perfectly. Lx

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  4. I could spend HOURS in a place like that!

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  5. Can you believe that I always wanted to go but never made it? It's almost embarrassing! xx MM

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  6. With a click here and there, came across your blog ... Really cool! I live in Germany and I love to travel around Europe but I still haven´t been in London... I must say I really like the way you show us this wonderful city! Thank you for sharing the finds!

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  7. Hi everyone, thanks so much! And yes! Whoever has not made it there yet, make it a priority on your go-to list! Its a great sunday activity... x

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  8. Colombia Road is my heaven destination- I just adore it- I love the traders, the Sundays only, the little streets around, walking over there- I just want to bottle it!

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  9. Awesome blogs and the collections so for. I love it.

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